from behind him.
Easier said than done, Reese thought as he allowed the hostess to take his hat and hang it on a rack in their section. Brantley did the same, then took his seat across from him.
Reese tried not to look around, didn’t want to see all the eyes surely staring at them. Two men out together, having dinner in a fancy restaurant. He couldn’t stop himself from peering over his shoulder and oddly didn’t feel any better when he noticed no one was paying them any mind.
Christ. He was sweating and he was almost sure his hands were trembling. If he wasn’t careful, he’d be in a full-blown panic attack.
“What can I get you to drink?” the waiter asked, stepping up to the white-linen-draped table all prim and proper.
“Two beers. Whatever you’ve got on tap,” Brantley said, his tone edged with irritation.
“Of course.”
When the man left, Brantley leaned in. “You wanna leave? Say the word.”
“No,” he said adamantly, exhaled. “I don’t.”
“Coulda fooled me.”
“I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I just…”
“Don’t apologize. Just two guys out enjoyin’ the best steak in Austin.”
Right. Two guys. Fancy restaurant. Tablecloths and candlelight. They might as well have had a rainbow flag flying overhead.
“Now tell me about Z,” Brantley prompted. “What’s your brother up to these days?”
Reese stared at Brantley, the words not making any sense although he knew they should. “What?”
“Let’s get your mind off it. Tell me about Z or Jensyn. Or your parents. They’re up in Dallas, right?”
“Yes,” he answered, reaching for the glass of water in front of him.
“You said Z works for Sniper 1 Security. Why didn’t you go that route when you got out?”
Reese shrugged. “Don’t know.”
The waiter returned, setting two beers on the table, then asking if they were ready to order.
Brantley was the one to speak up. “Can you give us a few minutes?”
“Of course.”
Reese reached for his beer, did his best not to down it in one gulp. He took a couple of sips, set it back down, barely managed not to spill it, met Brantley’s gaze.
“What’re you worried about?”
Reese frowned. “What?”
“Somethin’s got you on edge. What is it? This place? These people? You think someone you know’ll see you here with me?”
Reese stared back at Brantley. He could hear the wariness in his tone, knew he was offended by Reese’s reaction but was doing his best to pretend otherwise.
“I don’t know,” he said, going for the truth. “It just … it feels weird.”
Brantley nodded. “Perhaps we should go.”
“No.” Reese didn’t want to go. He wanted to spend the evening with Brantley. He wanted to enjoy a nice dinner, go to the range like he’d planned, because he had reserved it specifically for tonight. He damn sure couldn’t hide out in Brantley’s house for the duration of their relationship.
“The last thing I want is for you to be uncomfortable,” Brantley said softly. “If goin’ out isn’t your thing…”
Then what? Reese wanted to ask him to finish that sentence, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer. If he couldn’t handle going out in public with Brantley, would it mean they were doomed? Was it wrong that he was self-conscious? It sure felt that way.
“I’m good,” he told Brantley, forcing himself to believe it.
Reese opened the menu, scanned the selection. He could feel Brantley’s eyes on him, but thankfully, he didn’t say anything. A few minutes passed, the waiter returned, they placed their orders, Reese added an appetizer. And then they were left in peace.
“Focus on me,” Brantley said softly. “Forget everyone else in this place.”
Reese nodded. It wouldn’t be too difficult considering his back was to the room. That and he happened to enjoy looking at Brantley. If he forgot the fact they were in a restaurant full of people, it would’ve been ideal. He’d had dinner with Brantley many times. Both as friends back in the beginning and at Brantley’s house in a more intimate setting.
So why couldn’t he settle now? What was it about this setting that left him … well, unsettled?
***
It was safe to say this would likely be their first and last date.
Brantley could see by the sweat beading on Reese’s brow that it was taking everything in him to get through this meal.
And they hadn’t even gotten their food yet.
“I’ll be right back,” he told Reese, getting to his feet and heading over to where their waiter stood near the drink station, waiting for a table to tend to. “Excuse me.”
“Yes?” the man said, eyes wide, a hint of