not listening? He’s not interested.”
“Then he’s blind. Hell, you’re not my type, but even I know you’re hot AF.” Seb paused. “Hey, this is me you’re talking to. You can be honest, okay?”
Finn swallowed. “He is a great guy, all right? He’s smart, sexy, funny…”
“Sexy, huh? Now we’re getting somewhere.”
“He’s also been married for a couple of decades, and he’s only just now living as a gay man. He’s got this whole journey of discovery ahead of him.”
“Sounds to me like he might need a guide.” Another pause. “But joking apart… if you want this guy, for God’s sake, tell him. Because you don’t know if he could be more than a fantasy. And he is, right?”
“Sexiest fantasy ever,” Finn confessed, his pulse quickening.
“Then go for it. He can only say no, and while a rejection stings like hell for a while, it won’t kill ya.” Seb chuckled. “Jesus, I sound like a teacher.”
“A very good teacher.” Finn sighed. “Thanks, Seb.”
“For what?”
“Listening. Looking out for me.”
“Always. See you at Grammy’s party, unless I run into you beforehand.”
They disconnected, and Finn put his phone on the table. Gotta love Seb. When it buzzed once more, he grinned. What’s he forgotten to say? Then he saw the name, and heat raced through him.
It was Joel.
Finn clicked on Accept. “And you say I can’t stay away.” The temptation to stop by Joel’s place after work had been enormous, but Finn had resisted. He could have claimed to be checking the supplies delivery, but that had felt like a flimsy excuse.
“Am I disturbing you?”
Lord no. I’d listen to your voice for hours, given half a chance.
“No. I’m done eating. Did the delivery arrive?”
“Yes, this morning. I think I annoyed the driver.”
Finn chuckled. “What did you do?”
“Hey, I did exactly what you said, and checked off everything on the list you left with me. He was just going to drop it all off and go, but I wouldn’t sign for the delivery until I’d checked.”
“Let him be pissed. You were in the right. I take it there was nothing missing?”
“No, it’s all here. It’s also in my front yard, which I’m not happy about. Anyone could stroll up and take whatever they wanted.”
“Unless someone is on the lookout for some free decking and cement, I doubt it.” Finn grinned. And there’s a potential bright spot to end my day. “Look, if you’re worried, I’ll come over and move it all to the backyard.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Joel protested, though not all that strenuously.
“It’s no big deal. I was only gonna watch TV. Let me grab my gloves, and I’ll be right over.” He disconnected before Joel had the chance to protest again.
By the time he pulled onto Joel’s driveway, Joel was already in the front yard, humping a sack of cement toward the side gate. “Hey!” Finn called out as he climbed out of the truck. “Stop. I’ll help you.”
Joel regarded him with arched eyebrows. “Are you implying I’m not strong enough to do this?” His lips twitched, however. “Way to go to make me feel emasculated.”
“I’m implying nothing. I do this for a living, so I’m used to it. You might… pull something. And I’d hate for that to happen.” Finn put on his gloves as he marched over to Joel. “At least open the gate first.”
Joel opened it, then came back to the sack. “These things are heavy.”
“No shit.” Finn pointed to one end of it. “You take that end. But bend your knees when you lift, okay?”
Joel chuckled. “Yes, sir.” Between them they wrestled the sacks through to the backyard, and then continued back-and-forth with the boards. Joel wiped his brow as they deposited the last board, and headed back to the still substantial pile of supplies. “I had no idea a deck would need all this.”
Finn laughed. “It does if you want one that will last more than five minutes. But hey, you don’t have to think about any of this. Your job will be to stand at the door, nodding and smiling while I work, and occasionally asking me if I want a coffee or something.” And provide me with something gorgeous to look at.
“I can do that,” Joel said confidently. His eyes twinkled. “Is that your way of saying ‘Stay out of my way while I’m working’? Do you ever get clients who think they can do the job better than you?”
Finn snorted. “Hell yeah. God save me from do-it-yourselfers who wanna give me a lecture on