Rialto (Unbreakable Bonds 8)

“I love you, too. Was sad when you had to take off so fast this morning. I was enjoying the cuddle.”

“I thought you were asleep.”

“It’s hard to sleep when your perfect little body is against me.”

“Aw, I’m not that little.” But he did like their size difference and the way his husband could carry him around the condo. There was nothing like the feeling of safety in Hollis’s strong arms. He sighed, hating that he had to get off the phone. “I should help with the lunch prep, but thanks for calling.”

“We’ll figure this out, Ian,” Hollis said softly before he hung up.

Ian helped get lunch going and when everything was working smoothly, he walked out into his restaurant to see that all the tables were full, and people still waited to be seated. Word of all the problems hadn’t gotten out enough to damage traffic at least. He’d ask James to review the numbers over the past month, see if there had been any drop in sales or reservations.

As his eyes skimmed over the restaurant one last time, he spotted a friend at a table and walked to greet Lucas.

“I didn’t know you were coming in today,” he said as he stood beside the table.

“Got time to join me?” Lucas waved at the booth seat across from him. He was dressed in a gray classic Brioni suit, looking fabulous as usual.

“Of course.” Ian sat and worked to bring himself under control. He didn’t want to worry Lucas with his problems. “Andrei with Daci?”

“She’s actually with the nanny today. Andrei is at Ward Security, and I’m headed home after this lunch. I’ve been pulling too many long hours lately. I miss her. But I wanted a good lunch and time with my friend if he had it first.” He picked up his menu, then set it down. “What’s the special for lunch today?”

“Parmesan bread pudding with broccoli rabe and pancetta. Lots of pancetta, so right up your alley.”

“I’ll be ordering that then.” He waved the server over and smiled up at Johnny, who gave Ian a nervous glance. He was fairly new. He set down a water glass in front of Ian. Lucas already had his.

“We’ll both have the special,” Ian said, “and bring out the new Italian roasted coffee for us both as well.”

“Will do, Chef.” He hurried away.

“I’ve told him to call me Ian, but he forgets.” Ian took a sip of his water, glad when it helped chase away the dryness in his throat from all his anger that morning. He forced himself to relax into the booth, enjoying the sounds of utensils and the voices of people around them. He glanced over to see that a lot of people were eating the special, and his heart gave a little pitter-pat of happiness. His restaurant was still going strong, despite someone’s attempts to cause problems.

He looked up to find Lucas’s gaze pinned on him, a frown of concentration on his handsome face. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Do I look like something’s wrong?” Because damn, he was working hard not to look that way.

“I know you better than anyone in this restaurant. So yes, I can tell there’s a problem. Foster classes going well?”

This he could talk about. “Very. We’re almost through with them, and then we have the paperwork and home studies and that’s it. They are taking up a lot of time, though, and as you know, I’m busy getting ready to open In Good Time.”

“Snow burning up your phone with questions?”

Ian laughed. “Not today, but he has been. Man should have just given in already. He needs to either hire a professional wedding planner or just let me handle it. He’s probably driving Jude up the walls.”

One corner of Lucas’s mouth turned up. “Jude likes walls, so I’m sure he’s dealing just fine. Never met anyone more perfect for our Ash.”

“Isn’t that the truth.”

“If it’s not the classes or the new restaurant, what is it?” Lucas folded his hands on the table and regarded Ian closely.

He thought of spilling everything that was happening, but he didn’t want to talk about it yet. It would make it seem too real. So, he shrugged. “Just stressed from so many things going on.”

Lucas narrowed his eyes; then he nodded. Ian had a feeling Lucas didn’t buy it for a second, but he was letting the subject drop. Lucas learning to be less controlling and interfering was either Andrei’s positive influence, or Lucas was realizing that he had his hands full already with a husband and a baby.

Thankfully, their food arrived, distracting them both. Ian took a bite of the crisp pancetta and smiled as Lucas dug into his food. He probably should have told Lucas about other items on the menu rather than let him have something so full of fat, but he knew the man mostly ate healthy at home. He’d had high cholesterol at one point, but all of them had ridden his ass until he did something about it and was now fine. He had that precious baby girl and gorgeous husband to be there for, so he hadn’t argued too much. His friend was happy and he showed it every day. He hardly ever frowned, and he normally cut his working hours back. Little Daci couldn’t have asked for better daddies.