The wind blew so hard it nearly knocked Ryan Edwards over as he and sales manager Robert LeGard hurried toward the restaurant where they had decided to have lunch. It was a cold day in February, and Valentine’s Day was just two weeks away. The store and shop owners in the city had already started decorating. Apparently, it was some big deal in New Haven. Maybe this year Ryan would be lucky enough to spend it with someone, rather than sitting at home in a lonely apartment eating a TV dinner.
“We’re here,” Robert said. He’d picked the restaurant, being more familiar with the neighborhood then Ryan.
Ryan had only been a member of the Brennan Pharmaceutical Company for four months and usually brought his lunch. Tomorrow their boss was throwing a fancy engagement party for his son, Winston. For some reason, both he and Robert were in the wedding party, so there was no way he couldn’t show up.
The inside of the restaurant had a lot of diners, most of them dressed like Ryan and Robert were, in three-piece suits. The air was filled with the most delicious aromas. Ryan thought the place seemed pretty popular, and he guessed it to be one of the favorite spots of the businessmen in the area. Even so, a waiter was quick to meet them with a pair of menus and walk them to a table. His stomach growling, Ryan perused the menu while glasses of water, silverware, and cloth napkins were placed before them. He glanced up as a slender, hairless arm with a braided love bracelet moved past his eye. Whoever wore it was gone before Ryan could focus or get his bearings. “Is this place always so busy?” he asked.
Robert nodded. “And we came early. By noon this restaurant will be standing room only.”
“Would you care to order?” a melodic male voice asked.
Ryan followed the sound up to the face. Holy Jesus. Mother Nature had played a funny trick on this guy. He had black bangs reticent from the Beatles’ era, an oval face, and almond-shaped green eyes, along with thick black brows and lashes. A perfect slender nose accompanied a full set of pouty lips. Beautiful was the only word that could describe what Ryan saw. Even the guy’s body had curves at the waist and hips.
“I’ll have a roast beef sandwich on a rye roll and a side order of fries,” Robert said.
“And you?” the waiter asked Ryan.
“You.”
Instead of getting cursed out or the shit slapped out of him like Ryan half-expected, the guy smiled. “I’m not on the menu.”
Ryan ran his gaze over the waiter again. “You should be.” He looked at the name tag. “PJ, I’ll have the same thing as my friend, except I’d like it on a wheat roll.”
PJ wrote down their orders. Ryan noticed the bracelet again. It was like something from the hippie era, complete with a peace sign. PJ had a small, almost dainty wrist. Ryan just wanted to lift it to his lips and kiss it.
PJ watched Ryan from beneath those long dark lashes. “Would you care for something to drink?”
“Pepsi,” Robert answered.
Ryan’s gaze dropped. They guy had on a black apron. There was something beneath it that Ryan wanted to suck on. Apparently, PJ was good at reading minds or nonverbal messages because he began to squirm.
Ryan answered. “Pepsi and your phone number.”
PJ smiled at him. “You’re new around here, aren’t you?”
Ryan put down his menu. “Yes, I moved here from New York about four months ago. Had I known I’d find an angel here, I’d have moved sooner.”
A blush spread from PJ’s throat to his cheeks. “I better bring your order in,” he said before walking away.
Ryan’s eyes nearly popped out of his head as he checked out PJ from the back. “I think I’ve died and gone to Heaven. Is an ass like that even legal?”
Robert chuckled from his seat. “You two fell in love very quickly.”
“Huh?”
“You and PJ. I was about to leave so the two of you could get busy.”
Ryan smiled. “I know I came on a bit strong, but damn he’s gorgeous.”
Robert agreed with him. “Yes, he is. So, it’s safe to say you’re interested in dating him.”
“Hell, yes,” Ryan answered. “That is, if he’s plays on our team.”
“Didn’t you see the blush?” Robert asked. “My guess is yes.”
PJ returned to the table later with their food. He served Robert first, and then Ryan. He pressed a piece of paper in Ryan’s hand. “This is my number. I get off at five, but I have a performance tonight at Club Hell at ten if you want to get together.” He dashed off to wait on another table.
“What is Club Hell?” Ryan asked as he pulled out his cell phone and plugged in the number. He put the paper into his pocket.
“It’s a place where people our age and the creatures of the night play,” Robert answered as he lifted his sandwich. He took a bite and chewed. “This is so delicious. Chance and I go there from time to time. In fact, we’re going tonight to see some of the live entertainment. Be at our place at eight and you can follow us there.”
“What does he mean, perform?”
Robert chuckled. “You’re in for a big surprise.”
They finished their lunch and went back to work.