Headed for Trouble - By Suzanne Brockmann Page 0,22

back to let the waiter take his plate. They sat in a little outdoor restaurant, overlooking the harbor below. The food had been unbelievable, the owner himself coming out of the kitchen to make sure everything was to their liking. “Beard is slang for a woman who pretends to be a closeted gay man’s wife or girlfriend. Ben’s beard is named Amanda. She’s his roommate. His own parents actually think she’s his fiancée.”

Sam struggled to comprehend. “So, this guy lives with a woman, except he’s gay and … she’s okay with that?”

“She’s not really his fiancée. They have separate bedrooms,” Jules told him. “She’s a grad student—they’re friends from high school. Plus, he lets her live in his condo for free.”

Sam had to make sure he understood. “So Amanda helps Ben fool everyone into thinking he’s straight.”

Jules nodded. “Don’t ask, don’t tell—I think you’ve probably heard of the policy? It sounds so innocuous, but it forces servicemen and -women into the closet. They have to hide who they are, pretend to be something they’re not. It’s okay to be gay in the military, as long as no one knows.” He was disgusted. “Ben takes Amanda to all kind of functions—including this date he had, with me.”

“It was really a date?” Sam asked, as the waiter poured them each a cup of coffee. Alyssa had told him that when it came to dating, Jules was remarkably gun-shy—and yeah, okay that was probably an unfortunate expression to use.

But Alyssa’s going theory was that Jules was still hung up on some actor he’d met out in Los Angeles—Robin something. The SOB had hurt Jules badly—their relationship had been a total train wreck. Still, Lys had been urging her old friend to get back into circulation. This Marine captain, Ben, had been calling him for a while—apparently Jules had finally taken that first-date step.

“Ben calls and goes, Hey, how are you? I just got back from overseas. I was wondering if you wanted to get together, maybe have dinner at my place?” Jules reported. “I wasn’t ready for that. So I suggested we meet at a restaurant. It wasn’t even downtown. It was suburban and discreet, and … he brought Amanda anyway. So we all sit down to dinner and it’s way weird. I mean, she was nice, but, what the hell …? She finally gets up to, you know, hit the ladies’ room, and Ben goes, I’m career military. This is how I’ve made it work. He knew I was freaked out. He said, You should’ve come over. It’s easier, more comfortable, and I said, Not for me. I said, I’m not climbing into your closet with you, and … that was that. I haven’t seen him since.” He paused. “The stupid thing is, I really like him. The really stupid thing? I’d be genuinely upset if he resigned his commission. The Marines need more officers like Ben.”

“I’m sorry it didn’t work out,” Sam said.

“Thanks.”

They sat in silence for a moment.

“Thing is, I’m thinking about doing it.” Jules finally spoke. “Calling him and … You know, maybe if it’s just sex, it won’t bother me. As much. You know, keeping it on the down-low.”

Sam took a sip of his coffee, choosing his words carefully. “I guess whether or not you decide to do that should really depend on what you want. If it’s sex …”

“Who doesn’t want sex?” Jules pointed out.

“If it’s just sex,” Sam said, “there’s a waiter over there who’s been checking you out.” Part of him could not believe he was having this conversation. “Personally, I don’t think it’s a good idea, hooking up with some stranger …”

At least Jules wouldn’t get the guy pregnant. Years ago, Sam had had sex with a stranger—a bar bunny—and he now had a daughter, Haley, and an ex-wife, Mary Lou. Talk about careless mistakes. Although Haley was definitely the best mistake he’d ever made. She was a real peach of a kid. It had all worked out in the end, but for years it had been bad. He’d messed up his life, along with Mary Lou’s, Haley’s, and even Alyssa’s.

“Ben’s not a stranger,” Jules pointed out, taking out his wallet and paying the bill.

“What happens when you fall in love with him?” Sam asked. It was another question that he couldn’t believe he was asking. Still, the words needed to be said. “You know, I should pay that.”

Jules shook his head to both the question and the offer. “That won’t happen.” He said