Asher pushed his chair back and yanked his jacket off the back. “I don’t understand why you’re all excited about these fuckin’ trainings,” he grumbled. “Do you think they’re going to blow us?”
“Yeah, right,” Oliver scoffed. “I don’t even think we’re going to get our balls tickled. And I’m just as pissed as you, but this computer-training shit is mandatory and you’ve missed the last three, so unless you want to face a suspension, we’re going.”
“Fine, whatever.” He waved his hand in frustration. “Just give me a second to let Daniel know I’ll be later than I said.”
He got his phone out of his pocket, dialed Daniel, and had the device next to his ear before he looked up and saw Oliver staring at him with his jaw hanging open. The expression was becoming disconcertingly familiar.
“Hello.” Daniel’s voice distracted him from wondering about Oliver.
“Hey, sugar. Listen, I forgot about this computer-training thing I have to do, so I won’t be home until closer to eight tonight.”
“No problem,” Daniel said, sounding like he meant it. “I figured I’d try making dinner tonight so that’ll give me more time. Do you have any favorites?”
“You cook?” Asher asked in surprise. Not that he was complaining. His chest warmed at the thought of Daniel making a meal for him. Which was a weird as shit reaction, but Asher was getting used to his strange responses when it came to Daniel Tover.
“Well, no, but I can learn. I saw that you have pots and pans and stuff and I can look up a recipe online.”
“Asher, let’s go.” Oliver was tapping his fingers on his wrist, not that he was wearing a watch. Asher glared at him.
“I’m sure whatever you come up with will be great,” he said to Daniel. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Oliver didn’t say anything as they walked out of Asher’s office and made their way to the elevator bank.
“Aren’t you going to call Shirley?” Asher asked him.
“What for?” Oliver’s brow was furrowed in confusion.
“To let her know you’re going to be late. Or did you already tell her about the training?”
“Uh, no, I didn’t,” Oliver responded. “But she won’t care.”
“Shit, Ollie, show some consideration. That woman is way out of your league and if you’re not careful, she’s going to figure it out.”
Oliver shrugged. “So, how’s my brother?” he asked.
“You saw him yesterday,” Asher grumbled. “Nothing’s changed since then.”
The elevator opened and both men stepped inside.
“Sure it has. He’s living in your apartment now. I’d say that’s a pretty big change for you and for Danny.”
Fair enough. Asher hadn’t had a roommate in years. Not since the first moment he’d been able to afford a piece-of-shit, four-hundred-square-foot studio in the Tenderloin. The neighborhood was crappy, his apartment a shoebox, but it had been worth it to him because it had given him a place to escape at the end of the day where nobody could bother him or get in his way. He’d moved to a bigger neighborhood and a nicer apartment since then, but his space had always remained his own.
The fact that he’d moved Daniel in days after meeting him was way outside Asher’s normal comfort zone. So, as much as he hated having anybody butt into his business, Asher understood why Oliver was asking about Daniel. And besides, Oliver wasn’t just anybody. He was Daniel’s brother and Asher’s friend.
“Daniel is doing fine, Ollie. I’m not going to hurt your brother, okay?”
“Is that right?” Oliver said drolly, disbelief clear in his tone.
“Yeah, that’s right.” Asher’s jaw ticked in annoyance at the implied accusation. He crossed his arms over his broad chest, spread his legs, and glared at Oliver. “You have my word on it.”
Oliver raised one eyebrow, his expression stoic at best, indicating to Asher that his promise didn’t erase Oliver’s concerns. But then the elevator opened, depositing them in the training room, and time for conversation, and anything else except brain-piercing boredom, was over.
WITH Asher at work, Daniel had time to get acquainted with his new neighborhood. He’d spent time in San Francisco, visiting friends or vacationing, but he didn’t know the area well. Asher lived in Bernal Heights, not an area that Daniel remembered frequenting.
Daniel pulled on his warmest sweatshirt, slipped the strap of his messenger bag across his chest, and walked out of the apartment. It was chilly, but not uncomfortable, and he enjoyed his walk. He thought he was miles from the apartment when suddenly he saw it at the end of the street and realized he’d been walking in a circle. On the plus side, he was standing next to a cute little coffee shop. Deciding it was a nice time for a break, Daniel brushed his hair out of his face with one hand, and pushed the glass door open with the other. He inhaled deeply as soon as he stepped inside. Mmm. Nothing beat the smell of fresh coffee.