Oh. Right. He found someone. As in, someone for Eric to date who wasn’t Kyle. Eric ignored the way his stomach clenched at that idea.
Eric:Who?
Kyle:I don’t know his name yet. But he’s perfect for you.
Eric laughed into the dark hotel room and pulled himself up a bit so he could lean on his elbow.
Eric:Sounds amazing.He hoped his sarcasm was clear.
Kyle:He’s definitely in his thirties, cute as hell, and I overheard him say he’s a vegetarian.
Right. Because dietary preferences were the number one thing Eric was attracted to.
Eric: He’s a customer?
Kyle:Yes. I think he was on a date tonight but it didn’t go well. Now he’s sitting by himself.
Eric:You were spying on a customer while he was on a date?
Kyle:I just bring the drinks! I can’t control what I hear!
There was a long pause, and then Kyle wrote,I also took a pic of him.
Eric groaned. It was week one of being a bisexual man on the prowl and this was already getting way out of hand.
Eric:That’s creepy.
Kyle didn’t reply. Eric sighed and wrote, Send it.
A few seconds later Eric was looking at a dark and slightly blurry photo of a man sitting at a table, turned so he was in profile. It was hard to tell, but he did look like he might be handsome. Tidy, brown hair, nice clothes, and, yes, he appeared to be reasonably close to Eric’s age.
Eric:Shouldn’t you be working?
Kyle: I’m on my break!
Oh. Eric couldn’t help but be touched that Kyle was spending his break talking to him. And spending his evening trying to find Eric a date.
Eric:He does look nice.
Kyle:I wish you were in town. You could slide into that empty chair and ask him his name.
The back of Eric’s neck heated just thinking about that.
Eric:And then what would I say?
Kyle:Normal stuff?
Eric had no idea what normal stuff was when it came to flirting.
Kyle:Let’s practice. I’ll be him. You be you.
Eric:That’s not necessary.
Kyle:So you don’t need the practice?
Eric grimaced. He definitely needed the practice. He sighed and wrote,Fine. So I sit down and say, “Hi. I’m Eric.”
Kyle:Solid start. Ok. I’m shaking your hand and saying “I’m Neil. Nice to meet you, Eric.”