The door is open. All I have to do is walk through it. Invite him over for a drink. He already wants to be friends and we think alike. Just do it.
Before I have a chance to talk myself out of it, I blurt out, “Would you like to come over for a drink tonight?”
Isaac stares at me, mouth open, a mix of confusion and shock on his face.Stupid.I should have kept my mouth shut.I glance to the other side of the room, but Carter and Tyson are too busy razzing each other to have heard me. A glance in the other direction shows delight written all over Hope’s face. She definitely heard me, and now I’m more than a little embarrassed. Shit. I have to learn to keep my mouth shut.
I’m about to take the invitation back when Isaac clears his throat. “Um, yeah, that would be great,” he says almost in a whisper with a few glances to the other side of the room. I get the feeling he doesn’t want anyone to know he just agreed to drinks at my place.
Hope looks away and busies herself cleaning her desk, but I see the smile on her face. At least someone is happy about my very uncomfortable current situation.
We spend the next few hours putting furniture together, unpacking boxes and setting up my office. While Tyson and Carter are in the other room talking to Hope, Isaac, and I exchange numbers and I give him my address. He seems a lot more interested and excited when it’s just the two of us. Maybe I misread the signs and he isn’t gay, or maybe he isn’t out. Either way, I’m happy he’s coming over tonight and looking forward to becoming friends. I’m definitely interested in more, but I can live with friends. I need one. Miami has been awfully lonely this past month.
EIGHT
ISAAC
Excitement courses through me as I pull into a parking spot outside of Evan’s apartment. I still can’t believe he asked me to come over tonight. I haven’t been able to get him out of my head since he literally ran into me a few weeks ago. At first, I wasn’t even sure he worked at the stadium. After a doing some digging online, I discovered he’s the new Food and Beverage Coordinator, so when Carter asked me to help set up his office, I jumped at the opportunity. I was disappointed when we arrived this morning to discover Hope was surprising him and he likely wouldn’t be coming by the office. Much to my surprise and enjoyment, he arrived less than twenty minutes after us. I was even more shocked when he asked me over but didn’t ask anyone else.
After a quick look in the rearview mirror to check my hair, I make my way to his apartment on the third floor and knock. Seconds later the door swings open and Evan is standing there freshly showered, smelling like the beach, in alight-green button-down shirt with the first four buttons undone, showing off his gorgeous chest, and a pair of khaki cargo shorts. He’s definitely spent some time outside since I ran into him a few weeks ago and the tan looks good on him. Damn, he looks as delicious as he smells.
Evan rakes his dark eyes, full of want and need, over my body before they meet mine.
“Come in,” he squeaks out. Then quickly clears his throat as he steps back so I can enter. “Have a seat,” he offers, motioning to the couch. “What can I get you to drink? I have a bottle of red wine one of my neighbors brought me, bourbon, water, and orange juice. Sorry, not many choices.”
“What are you having?”
“Bourbon, neat.”
“I’ll have a bourbon on the rocks. I don’t know how you drink it hot. I need the ice.”
“It’s room temperature, not hot,” Evan tells me with a smile. “I’m something of a self-proclaimed bourbon connoisseur and cannot bring myself to ruin a good bourbon with ice, water or any kind of mixer, but I don’t fault those who prefer it that way,” he adds.
He pours our drinks and joins me on the couch.
“Okay, Mr. Bourbon Connoisseur, tell me what I’m drinking.”
“This is a fifteen-year-old small batch bourbon from the Olde Derby Distillery outside of Louisville, Kentucky. It’s one of my favorites. Very smooth with notes of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of spice.”
“Damn, that’s good,” I express. He’s right. This is one of the smoothest bourbons I’ve ever had. “I tend to stick to beer because it’s easy and most of the time liquor just tastes nasty. Clearly, I’ve been drinking crap. This stuff is amazing,”I admit.
“It is really good.” Evan smiles, pleased with my reaction. “I’m happy to teach you about good bourbons. There is no reason to drink crappy liquor. What’s the point? Well, unless your sole purpose is to get drunk then I guess drinking the cheap stuff is smart. Something like this is going to be upwards of forty or fifty bucks a shot in a bar. Another reason to enjoy it at home.”
“Fair point. I’m not big on getting drunk. I like to remember my nights and prefer not waking up with a hangover.”
“Me, too. Most nights if I pour a drink, I spend hours sipping on it.”
“That’s more my speed,” I tell Evan, holding my glass up to clink with his.
Comfortable silence stretches between us as we enjoy sipping our bourbon. It’s been a long time since I felt this relaxed around someone who caught my interest. Most of the time, I either get bored almost immediately or I’m an awkward bundle of nerves that can’t shut up. With Evan, it feels different. I’m completely relaxed and don’t feel the need to fill the silence by saying something stupid.
“How about some music or maybe a movie?” Evan asks.
“Sure. Either is fine with me.”
Evan walks to the shelf next to the television and presses a button on a small black speaker then he connects his phone and quiet jazz music starts playing in the background. I’m glad he chose music. That way we can talk. I hate watching movies on a first date. Shit. As soon as the thought hits, I start backtracking in my head. This isn’t a date. Sure, he asked me over for a drink, but we just met. I’m getting ahead of myself.
“Is this music okay? I can play something else.”
“This is great.”