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men had gotten along so well that he'd constantly joked about being a third wheel.
 Shut up, youngster. Jim took his jacket off and looked for the hostess. She approached with an
armful of menus.
 We're meeting someone here. Might be under Haight?
 They're already here. I'll take you back. She gave them a pleasant but not flirty smile. A quick scan
of the bar showed a mixture of couples, mostly same sex. Jim felt comfortable laying his hand on
Griffin's back as they followed her to an intimate corner.
Matt Haight and his boyfriend were seated; Matt looked great comfortable and in great shape,
working a black knit sweater with some serious confidence. Jim felt the memories of the two lonely
men from last year disappear a bit more from his mind. His boyfriend was neatly put together in a suit
and tie, that tightly bound look recognizable to Jim in an instant. All business, always on guard. He
didn't look as delighted as Matt when they spotted him and Griffin near the table.
 Hey, hey, look who's here! Matt stood up and came around the table to give Jim a hug. Jim didn't
resist no matter how tight the boyfriend's lips got. His own boyfriend was already extending his
hand for a shake.
 Griffin Drake. Nice to meet you, he said politely as Jim slapped Matt on the back.
 Hell, you look good. Life is agreeing with you, Jim smiled as he appraised Matt up close. He was
right he looked fantastic.
 You too. Nice retirement tan. Matt winked as he gestured to the man at the table.  Jim Shea Evan
Cerelli.
 A pleasure. Jim extended his hand.  I've heard a lot about you.
Evan nodded politely and shook Jim's hand.  Same here. His tone was flat, so Jim ended the
handshake quickly for both their sakes.
 Uh, Griffin you've already met. Matt, Griffin, Griffin, Matt.
Griffin smiled sweetly.  Nice to meet you. And you're right it's like looking into mirror.
Matt looked confused as Jim shook his head.
 Ignore him. His blood sugar is low, and he gets nonsensical when that happens. They sat down as
Griffin laughed at his own joke.
 Quick, someone pass the breadbasket before I say something inappropriate. The patient hostess
handed the two newcomers their menus and drifted off for quieter confines.
They made general small talk while perusing the menus: the weather, the traffic, a quick overview of
Griffin's famous friend the movie star, who was doing a play.
 I'm really excited about it, Jim deadpanned, as Griffin explained the  mermaid and a pirate play
poker symbolism.
 It's going to be excellent, Griffin insisted, kicking Jim under the table.
Matt took a sip of beer, not bothering to hide his smile.
 Darn, sorry to miss it.
 Liar. Jim decided on the steak and snapped his menu shut.  We do have an extra ticket, though
Griffin's dad wasn't feeling well and didn't make the trip down.
 I couldn't ditch Evan, even for metaphorical pirates, Matt said, putting his arm across the back of
his boyfriend's chair.
Jim caught the slight tensing, and was confused for a moment, until the waiter announced his presence
behind them.
They ordered quickly, drinks and food and the waiter sauntered off. Jim gave Evan another glance,
but he didn't seem to have relaxed.
Griffin as Griffin was wont to do took the quietness at the table as an invitation to do his very best
chatter. Griffin's father claimed as soon as soon as the boy uttered his first words, he made it his goal
in life to fill uncomfortable silences.
He told some genuinely funny Hollywood tales and a good one about Jim on catamaran in Hawaii.
Jim allowed the entire story to be told even the part where he lost his swimming trunks.
 It was quite a spectacle, Griffin smiled, giving Matt and Evan an eyebrow waggle.  I was worried
we'd get followed home by the gawkers.
Matt laughed heartily. Their drinks hit the second round; Evan stopped drinking, murmuring something
about driving later. He didn't say much of anything else.
Food saved them for a while, saved poor Griffin's voice. Jim considered other topics as he cut into
his steak. Police work was obvious, but he didn't want Griffin to get bored.
Although technically it was payback in advance for  The Wager he would be subjected to later. A
pirate and a mermaid playing cards? Really? People paid for that shit?
 So, Evan, you're a police officer? Jim heard Griffin say. His heart swelled a bit; his boyfriend was
trying, really trying, to make this evening a success.
 Vice, almost fifteen years, Evan said quietly, picking at his tuna.
 Wow, cool. Griffin waited a beat.  You ever do any undercover work?
 No, not really. Evan seemed to struggle to say more, a side glance to Matt who was stabbing his pot
roast with an annoyed air.  I think I look a little obviously too much like a cop.
Griffin squinted at him appraisingly.  Yeah, no offense. He gestured toward Jim.  Like Officer Stud
Muffin over here. It radiates off you guys.
Matt seemed to be amused by the conversation; he pointed to Evan.  When we first started hanging
out, we went to this bar. And they knew we were cops without saying a word. I'm convinced it's a
secret skill of bartenders.
 Like that place we met, Jim said before entirely thinking the statement out. Everyone at the table
was aware of how they met and what happened afterward (generally Jim didn't kiss and tell, even
when Griffin begged jokingly for details in bed that morning). And clearly not everyone was
comfortable with it.
See: Evan's expression of distaste.
 Uh-huh, Matt said, obviously feeling the temperature drop as well.  Exactly. I wonder if it's
something they, uh teach at bartending school.
 You gotta know who's carrying, Griffin said helpfully.  Or who could be a hero during a robbery.
Or who you have to bribe for protection. He even used air quotes.
Jim loved him, so very much.
 All he knows about cops he learned from television.
Griffin sniffed, faux insulted.  Whatever. Everything you learned about everything else you learned
from television.
 I don't even know what that means.
 Humph. Griffin went back to his meal, sneaking peeks at Jim and doing a whole  Seriously? The
tension! conversation with his mouth full of pasta. Jim was impressed.
The rest of the meal was awkward chitchat, mostly between Jim and Griffin, with Matt chiming in.
Evan excused himself to go to the men's room, Matt said he had to make a phone call, and Griffin
kicked back the rest of his third martini after they both walked away. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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