guess in my overtaxed brain, I imagined that they might give me the position before all that happened and then I could say we broke up. I’m pretty sure it’s some kind of illegal to require that faculty be married, so it seems unlikely they’d fire me for that reason.” Another shrug. “And who knows. Maybe by then, I’d actually meet someone. I mean, my social life is nil, but I guess if I change my appearance and personality, I could find somebody.”
Ernest grinned. “And stop going everywhere with your pretty sister.” His expression got serious. “You’re very nice looking, Toby, and your personality’s delightful. I suspect the sister issue is slowing your roll. Guys think you’re straight and attached.”
“Maybe.” That sure hadn’t been Toby’s experience.
“I expect they’re going to bring our food pretty soon. Will you excuse me for a minute?” He got up and walked toward the door to the inside restaurant where the restrooms were, pulling his phone from his pocket. Probably calling someone to ask them to get him out of this dinner.
Cat raised his head. “Meow.”
“It’s okay, Cat. He’ll be right back.” Toby kept petting, but even the soft fur couldn’t alleviate the sick feeling in his stomach.
Cat licked his hand.
“Thanks, guy. Honestly, you’re awfully nice to someone who’s as big a loser as me. I mean you’re the world’s coolest cat.” He grinned but sadly. “Maybe if I keep petting you some of it will rub off.”
Jesus, it might be better if Ernest was straight. Then Toby wouldn’t have to feel like he’d ruined every chance even to be Ernest’s friend.
Chapter Four
A server came up to the table balancing a tray and set it on the stand nearby. He put a salad plate in front of Toby and then seemed to notice no one was in the other chair. “Shall I hold your companion’s meal?”
Toby glanced around. Wow. Ernest had been gone kind of a long time. Maybe he really had skipped out. “I don’t know. I think it’s okay to leave the salad.” As he craned his head, he stopped. Sitting at a small table out near the sidewalk was a man who looked familiar because of the dark suit and striped tie he wore. Like the person who’d been in the vet’s waiting room. The man had a glass of wine in front of him, but was talking intensely on his cell phone. As Toby watched, he clicked off and slid the phone into his suit pocket.
The server said, “I’ll take this sandwich back and keep it warm—”
“Sorry. Sorry.” Ernest rushed up to the table. “Got a phone call I couldn’t get off of.” He sniffed at the sandwich. “Looks delicious.”
The server appeared relieved, set down the plates, and hurried away.
“Sorry to abandon you like that.” He raised his glass to Toby. “Cheers.”
Toby lifted his glass, a little surprised.
Ernest grinned. “So what time do you want to pick me up on Saturday?”
The wineglass stalled halfway to Toby’s mouth. That would be the mouth that was hanging open. “What?”
“What time is the party on Saturday?”
“Three. But wait. Are you saying you’ll go?”
“Sure.” A tiny dimple appeared in his lean cheek. “Cat-sitting is a valuable commodity.”
Toby shook his head. He was definitely about to look a gift horse in the mouth, but he just had to. “Why? Why would you do it? You don’t even know me.”
Ernest grinned again and looked down at the totally relaxed pile of fur in Toby’s lap. “Any friend of Cat’s is a friend of mine.”
“Seriously.”
His grin relaxed. “A couple things. First, going to a party with an attractive, smart man who likes cats is no hardship. If it helps you out, more the better. Plus, I have reasons not to mind people thinking I have a boyfriend. So it kind of helps me too.”
“Really?”
He nodded.
Toby could barely get the words out. “Th-that’s great!”
“So three p.m. What if I meet you here? That way we don’t have to get involved with directions this time out.”
“Okay.” Jesus, he’d happily meet Ernest in Singapore if it would get him to the party. “And by the way, I’d be happy to cat-sit Cat anytime, but I do have a pit bull who might lick him to death, so maybe I should come to your place when you’re gone.”
“Ah, Cat’s up to any mere pit bull. No worries.” Ernest took a big bite of his sandwich, so Toby followed suit. It was really good, all slathered with the restaurant’s special sauce over the