Eric watched as Kyle poured an ungodly amount of maple syrup on his pancakes.
“Vermont,” Kyle reminded him again when he caught him staring. He slid the bottle over to Eric, who poured a modest drizzle on his own plate.
Eric moaned when he had his first bite of pancake. “Oh my god. These are so good.”
“Right? You shouldn’t deprive yourself of pancakes.”
“I don’t know if you’re a good influence or a bad one.”
“Clearly good. Before you met me it was a dark existence of no pancakes and weak orgasms.”
Eric nearly spit out his next bite of pancake. He managed to swallow. “That’s true.” Itwastrue. His life had been far from terrible before, but Kyle had made itfun.
Kyle was smiling at him now. His cheeks were still rosy from their hike, and his hair was a mess from being stuffed under a hat.
God, he was cute.
Eric tried not to imagine a life with Kyle based on their incredible day together. This day was a special one, and he shouldn’t let it mislead him into thinking they could have this every day. That they could be more.
What he hadn’t thought about all day was his retirement. The statement had, he assumed, been posted on social media and on the Admirals website that morning, but his phone was turned off and he was blissfully unaware of the reaction to the announcement.
“How are things at work?” he asked.
Kyle seemed surprised by the question. “At work? Fine, I guess. Gus has been even more absent than usual. I wish he cared more about the place. He only shows up often enough to make sure we haven’t changed anything. God forbid we improve the place.”
Eric had heard Kyle complain about Gus many times. He didn’t seem to hate the man—he had actually described him as a sweetheart—but he was frustrated by Gus’s apathy toward his business.
“What would you do with the place?” Eric asked. “If you were in charge?”
Kyle blew out a breath. “Well, for one thing we’d have a great cocktail menu. Including zero proof cocktails,” he added with a wink. “The décor could use some work. Probably an overhaul, really. I like the cozy tavern vibe, but it shouldn’t feel worn out and dirty, y’know?”
“It could use a bit of fixing up,” Eric agreed. He’d had the same thoughts about the bar himself. A bit of money and effort could make a world of difference to the place.
“Aram has mentioned wanting to organize more events there. Build more of a Kingfisher community.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“And we actually have a really good chef, but you wouldn’t know it. Lucy is way too talented for that place. If she had free rein in that kitchen, we’d have an incredible menu.”
Eric took all of this in, considering it. “Sounds like you guys have been thinking a lot about this.”
“Foryears. Oh my god. I love the place, seriously, but it needs help. I don’t know why Gus doesn’t just sell it. Although the new owners might just gut the place and fire us all.”
That would be a shame. The Kingfisher had really grown on Eric.
They ate in silence for a few minutes, Kyle devouring his pancakes with gusto, and Eric slowly savoring each maple-sweet, buttery mouthful.
“Thanks for suggesting this today,” Eric said when he had finished. “It was exactly what I needed.”
“Don’t thank me. I’m having a great day.”
“Well, I appreciate it, anyway. I know I’m not the most fun person on earth.”
“Oh my god. Can you please stop acting like you’re my old uncle Eric who I am forced to spend time with? You’re my friend, and I don’t mind looking at you, so this is all a win for me.”
Eric studied him for a minute. Kyle stared right back at him.
“Okay,” Eric said finally.