2017 Top Ten Gay Romance

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

I was tempted to throw my phone across the room, but it wasn’t the phone’s fault and it would be unfair to destroy it in a fit. I set it gently on the coffee table instead. Raking my fingers through my hair, pulling a little, I huffed out a breath. I wracked my brains. There had to be somewhere I could call.

When someone knocked at the door, I growled in complete frustration as I stalked across the floor to answer it. I was so preoccupied and upset, I was ready to tear whoever was on the other side a new one. Until I whipped open the door and saw Chase’s smiling face. Just like that, my frustration vanished. I hadn’t realized how badly I’d needed him until he showed up.

Wednesdays were his late night, so I didn’t usually see him until after eight. In the weeks following our first date, we’d become nearly inseparable. That was fine by me. I enjoyed his company more and more with every passing day, and I didn’t feel whole if he wasn’t with me. I hadn’t yet shared my thoughts and feelings with him, but I knew he felt similarly. Soon, I’d be ready to talk about it. But not quite yet.

“What’s wrong, baby?” he asked, stepping in and shutting the door behind him.

I threw myself into his arms and sighed deeply as he hugged me. Just being with him made everything better.

I pulled back and kissed him softly but thoroughly before I pulled out of his embrace. He was still worried, and that he knew me so well, could know that I was upset by just one look at my face, warmed my insides. I took his hand and led him toward the couch.

“The ballroom at the Marriott flooded.”

Chase squinted. “Where the ball is supposed to be? In two days?” When I nodded, he looked horror-stricken. “What are we going to do?”

We. Just that one word made me want to melt. In just a few weeks, we had become a unit. I loved that more than I could say.

But I couldn’t even revel in the feelings. I was so frustrated by the situation, about constantly coming up against a brick wall, that my euphoria quickly vanished. The ball was in two days, and I was having zero luck.

“I don’t know.” I sighed heavily and flopped backward onto the couch, rubbing my hands against my face. “I’ve called every place I can think of. Either they are already booked, they can’t accommodate our numbers, or they just flat out said ‘no.’ I’m at a loss.”

Chase’s brow furrowed, and his gaze focused on the far wall. “How many people are we talking?”

“Around a hundred. Fifty-two teens live at and use services at the center. Everyone said they were coming, and almost everyone has a date. And then ten adults to chaperone. And you. And maybe a few other dates?”

He nodded, still not looking at me. “And we just need an open space for dancing. A few bathrooms?”

“Yes,” I answered a little warily. “Chase? What are you thinking?”

“Let me make a call.”

Chase paced a few feet away. He pulled his phone from his pocket and tapped at the screen. A moment later, a warm smile lit his face.

“Mr. Peterson, hello! It’s Chase Prinsen…No, no, sir. Everything is fine. No problem at all. I’m actually calling to ask a favor…I appreciate that. Thank you…. Yes, so the LGBT youth center I’m involved with has a problem and I was hoping you could help. The kids are scheduled to have their prom Friday night, except the ballroom at the Marriott flooded. I was hoping you’d let us use of the atrium of the Warren Street building. It’s a beautiful space, we can make it secure, and my crew and I will make sure it’s spotless come Monday morning…”

He looked at me, his eyes going wide, and an excited grin stretched his lips. He fist-pumped the air.

“Great! Thank you, that’s fantastic! I can’t thank you enough…Mr. Peterson, that’s too generous. I can’t ask that of…All right, sir. Thank you so much. Yes. I’ll have my boyfriend email you the details right away. Thank you again, sir! That’s amazing. Have a great night.”

Chase let out a whoop of joy the second he disconnected the call, then did a little hop and jig before closing the distance between us. He was clearly elated, but I wasn’t sure what had just happened. Had he gotten us a space to use?

“Honey, what was that all about?”

“Have you ever been in the Peterson and James building?” he asked, and when I shook my head, he let out a low whistle. “The whole atrium is breathtaking. Marble floors, huge windows, palms and plants, and even a small fountain. Whenever I’m in there, I always think it would be a great place for a party. And it was the first thing I thought of when you said you needed somewhere for the ball.”

I smiled, his enthusiasm infectious. “So you just called the owner?”

Chase chuckled, then took my hand. He liked playing with my fingers, and I liked that he liked touching me.

“Well, we clean the building. It’s our biggest contract. And I knew from my dealings with Mr. Peterson, who is often working late when I get up to the executive suite, that he is a really nice man. So I thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask. He didn’t hesitate to say we could use the space.”

My relief so acute, I almost cried. I launched myself at my boyfriend—he’d said it first, so I knew I could, too—and hugged him tightly around the neck. He squeezed me back and kissed my neck.

“I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet.”

I pulled back with a watery laugh. “What could be better?”

“He offered to take care of the decorations. As in all we have to do is show up.”

“Oh, my God,” I breathed, heart pounding. That was beyond generous. Having priced everything out in the planning stages, I knew how costly things were. Money was of little concern, but I knew I couldn’t go overboard. My inheritance had to fund a lot of programs and do it for many years to come.

“So give him the info on the stuff you’ve already booked, and he’ll take care of the rest. Then you just have to worry about the DJ. You were bringing in your own drinks, right?”

I stared at him, dazed, as I nodded. We’d decided on bottled beverages as refreshments, and had several dozen cases of water and soft drinks all set to transport. Decorations hadn’t been much more than balloons and ribbons. But apparently, Mr. Peterson was going to take over all that.

“Chase,” I breathed before once again grabbing him and holding him tight. “You saved the day. You really are a knight in shining armor.”

“It was the least I could do.” He moved swiftly and pinned me underneath him. “It’s important to you, and you’re important to me. So this is, too. And the kids deserve it. And I want to see you in a tux.”

“Whatever you want, Sir Chase the Goodhearted.”

Chase’s grin turned filthy and my breath stuttered in my lungs.

“I’m a knight, huh? Wanna see my sword?”