Reservations

As he started for the patio door, his phone rang again. He paused at the door and contemplated not answering. In the end, the idea of knowing whether Levi kept the job became more compelling than the dressing-down Julian was sure to give him. Tapping the side of his earpiece, Thane answered, “Did he stay?”

“Just barely. You went to his house? Really?” Julian asked incredulously. “You’d know this better than me, but doesn’t that break just about every single employment law on the planet?”

Thane let out a humorless laugh. Funny that Julian lectured him on corporate personnel procedures.

Instead of rehashing any of Thane’s clearly not so bright events of the morning, he concentrated on the key points. Thane needed time to think, and Levi needed to stay put until he figured out how to handle all his missteps. “You make sure Levi has everything he needs. Don’t let him quit.”

“You offered him more money and exclusivity, seriously? Were you paying attention to the part where he said he doesn’t fuck for money? Because, I’m pretty sure every man that comes inside this club figures that out about Levi in less than five minutes.”

The disapproval in Julian’s voice hit its mark. Thane’s brows snapped together. “You’re pissing me off.”

“And you’re pissing me off, Thane. He’s my friend—”

“That right there.” He stopped Julian’s argumentative flow. This wasn’t entirely his fault. Julian had been Levi’s champion since day one and not that Thane hadn’t gone along with everything Julian had ever suggested, but Julian was just about as bad as they came and naughty as fuck. The entirety of Julian’s adult life had been spent having lots of sex for money. The guy was neither cheap nor anything close to prudish. “Don’t you see how I could have made the assumptions I did? He’s your friend, Julian. I thought he might be holding out for more money.”

A disgusted moan sounded on the other end of the line before Julian said, “He needs this job. You guys in that top income tier up there don’t get what we go through.”

Thane scrubbed a hand over his face and resisted the urge to remind Julian that he wasn’t anywhere close to the top of anything financially.

“I’m hanging up now. Just make sure he has what he needs. Give him the best shifts and the best tables. He needs it.” Thane hung up the phone, took the Bluetooth off his ear, and tossed the device on the kitchen counter. No more phone calls tonight. He was too strung-out to hear any more about all his missteps tonight.

Thane pulled open the side door to see four or five of his neighbors hanging out on the shared patio. They were having a good time. Normally, he’d be right there, ready to enjoy the company, but not tonight. He scanned the small crowd until he found Erin and headed straight toward her with the pillow he’d taken still in hand.

“Thane! You’re back!” Erin’s delighted squeal had all the attention landing in his direction. Her broad grin faded when she got a good look at his face. The happy mood changed as her husband Corey came from behind and clasped a hand on his shoulder.

“What’s wrong?” Corey asked, coming around to stand at Thane’s side. Someone turned the music down and a silence descended. He hated being such a buzz kill. Honestly, he had no idea what they were seeing that had them rushing to his side, but he tried hard to school his features and shook his head.

“Just tired,” he muttered, patting the large comforting hand still resting on his shoulder.

“Have a drink. I just got this.” Jared held out his bottle of beer, proving Thane must seriously look wrecked. The guy never willingly parted with his beer.

“Not tonight. I was just hoping Erin would know this cologne.” She stood directly in front of him, confusion clouding her eyes. Yeah, the request was an odd one, he got it, but she didn’t waver as she took the pillow from him, brought it to her nose, and inhaled.

“It’s your cologne,” she said, before slightly lowering the pillow.

“There’s another scent mixed in there. It’s lighter, sweeter,” Thane said. Erin smelled around then lifted her head, her grin growing as she looked at him.

“You two smell great together. I think it’s Armani Code. Corey has some. Hang on.” Erin spun around and went through her townhome back door, pillow in her hands. He knew she’d know. She was good about those kinds of things. His relief was short-lived as he looked around and the rest of the people at the gathering just stared at him. He’d seen that look quite a bit today—as he walked through both airports and then again on the plane. Probably the same reason the flight attendant made sure his glass was never empty. Out of nothing more than the fact he did not want to talk about anything meaningful, he forced a smile and looked around.