When he'd been introduced to Scott, Jamie was pleased that Josh had remembered to introduce him by his formal, and only used for business name of James Sullivan. Fortunately, as the rehearsal began, Josh had no opportunity to ask him just what he was up to.

Watching from the seats, Jamie smiled. I can hardly confess to my best friend that I've harbored a long-held crush on his big brother. But what's not to like, who could blame me? Look at him. Tall, broad chested, that close-cropped sandy-brown hair, and eyes like a clear summer's day.

All went perfectly and when the rehearsal concluded, Jamie finally felt he could relax, even though he wasn't responsible for anything at this stage. I come into play once the happy couple get everyone up on the rooftop restaurant.

That restaurant was generally only open for dinner, the hotel's main restaurant being on the ground floor and which was twice the size. That, and the use of his name, had been the reason for the ease of their successful petition to self-cater. Had the hotel refused, they would simply have had the breakfast elsewhere.

About to trail after Josh and the others, Jamie noticed Scott hanging back and, while his libido was still affected the way it had since he'd been a horny teenager, his heart ached at the way Scott still seemed to feel isolated from his family. Well, becoming a chef certainly brought me out of my shell. Let's see if I can do the same for Scott.

"Scott." Jamie called to the other man. "I'll walk with you."

"I wasn't ... I mean. Ah, fuck it." Scott's shoulders slumped.

"Hey, according to what Josh told me, you and your dad are getting on like a house on fire, just by not talking to one another."

"Very fucking funny." Scott growled the words, but since Jamie knew what the man was really like, he just chuckled at the bad-tempered display.

"Hey, don't forget, I'm a chef. I have first dibs on being the overly temperamental one. I've watched all Gordon Ramsey's DVDs and know how to swear every bit as well as him." To Jamie's delight, he spotted the twitch of Scott's lips.

"I suppose Josh sent you after me." Scott turned so that he was now looking directly at Jamie. The intense scrutiny made Jamie's cock sit up and take notice, and Jamie was glad for the jacket that hid the evidence.

"No. He's so much in love with Aroha, I don't think even an earthquake of seven on the Richter scale would be noticed.

"Yeah. They do seem the perfect couple." Scott's lips curved into a smile and Jamie had to resist the urge to simply lean forward and claim them. "Are we having your food now?" Scott asked and Jamie shook his head.

"No. We thought that would be too much. This is the hotel's own food, but I did agree to spend some time in their kitchen, chatting to the chefs, offering some tips. A small price to pay."

"You're young to have such a renowned restaurant." Scott cocked his head. "Aren't you?"

"Kinda." Jamie nodded. "But things went my way, I was inspired, and I worked fucking hard. I'd like to spend some time abroad, a few months in other restaurants. That would extend my repertoire. I dunno. Guess it depends on how things go."

"You seem very ... focused." Scott stared into Jamie's eyes, and it took all Jamie's will power not to reach out, grab Scott, and kiss the man breathless.

"Yes. Well, when you struggle through your childhood, sometimes you come out much stronger at the other end."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry." Scott shook his head and Jamie held up his hand.

"No, no. It wasn't as bad as some kids have it. But I did look a lot different growing up, and it wasn't all sunshine and roses. But that's all in the past where it belongs. Hurry up, or we'll miss out." Jamie grabbed Scott's hand and began to jog. He was pleased when Scott didn't snatch his hand back, but he made sure to release the other man before they emerged into the restaurant.