Chapter 2-1
542 Words
Chapter 2
“Hey, Steve, I’ll catch you later,” Jack told his friend, Steve Monroe, after they left the restaurant where they’d stopped for breakfast after their shift at the hospital.
“You don’t want to stop off and hit a few balls?” Steve asked, surprise written all over his face.
They’d talked about it on their way into the diner. Steve loved golf, Jack not so much. But he’d go with Steve sometimes just to make his friend happy.
“I’m really tired actually. Another time?”
Steve smiled. “Okay. Think I’ll go anyway.”
“All right, see you at work,” Jack said with a wave. He made a show of getting into his sedan while he waited for Steve to drive out of the parking lot. Then he got back out and leaned against his car. Jack didn’t think he had long to wait.
Less than five minutes later Tyler Larson appeared. He still wore his stained work apron he’d worn in the restaurant. Jack had to fight to keep the smile off his face. But damn, Tyler looked good. Really f*****g good.
The high cheekbones that had seemed almost delicate back in college had matured enough to make Tyler more masculine but also very striking. Strike that. Stunning. That was more the word.
Tyler had round, wide blue eyes that kind of reminded him of a china doll right down to the long, curly lashes. Then there were his Kewpie doll pouty lips. And the mop of curly brown hair that draped in ringlets on his forehead.
Jack admitted all those things taken separately might sound strange, but together, really, Tyler was gorgeous. Had been in college and was more so now. The way those oh-so-blue eyes raked over Jack as he stood just outside the restaurant doors had Jack’s c**k hardening.
Damn.
“I knew you knew who I was,” Tyler said, glaring at Jack.
Jack grinned. “It took me a minute, but I figured it out.”
“You’re full of shit.” Tyler crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m unforgettable.”
“And with a massive ego to boot,” Jack replied.
“So, what do you want?”
“Who says I want anything?’
“There’s gotta be a reason you’re still here. Dr. Hottie’s gone.”
For some reason that annoyed him. “You think Steve is hot?”
Tyler smirked. “Hell yeah. I’ve had my eye on him for a while.”
“He’s married.”
“I saw that today. Never noticed it before though.”
“It’s recent,” Jack admitted.
“The point is, Jack, why are you still here? Your friend left.”
Jack straightened from his car and walked a few steps closer to where Tyler still stood. “I was curious about you.”
“Sure.”
“I was. It’s been years.” Jack shrugged. “Thought I’d ask you to dinner and see what you’ve been up to.”
Tyler scoffed. “So you go from not knowing me to asking me out?”
Jack grinned. “Just a friendly dinner with two old friends.”
“We were not friends, Jack.”
“Two acquaintances then. A chance to catch up. Come on, Tyler. No strings attached and no expectations.”
“I’m pretty sure you used that line on me before and I ended up getting f****d,” Tyler said with a raise of his eyebrows. “And then you were gone.”
Jack held out his hands in surrender. “Not this time. I promise. I’m a changed guy.”
“Uh-huh. Well, so am I. And I’m not so easy.”
“You were never easy,” Jack assured him. “I’ll even pick you up.”
“Fat chance. I’ll meet you.”
Hell, at least he was agreeing, so Jack figured that was a victory. “What kind of food you like?”
“Anything but diner food.”
“There’s a steak and seafood place down on De Soto. Murphy’s. Cross street is Vanowen.”
“You buying?”
Jack laughed. “Yeah, sure.”
“Then okay. What time?”
“Seven?” Jack suggested.
Tyler nodded. “All right. See you there.” He turned and walked back into the diner.
- Writer
