“For the most part, yes. Mason and the team at Spartan are great, but the odd hours are starting to get to me. Now that I’m about to turn thirty, I’d like a bit more stability in my life.” Eli paused. “I’ve got a bachelor’s degree, but I was thinking about going back for my master’s in psychology. I’d like to become a therapist.”
“I can see that. You’ve got a calm, comforting way about you. Have you started applying to any schools?”
“Not yet. I need to talk to Mason first. I’d have to scaleback my work hours while I study part-time. I’ve been putting money aside for the past year to be able to do so and I’m almost ready. I guess I’m also scared. I have several schools I want to apply to under mature student status, but I’m not sure how I’m going to fit in.”
“Lots of people go back to school at different ages.”
“True. Thanks, I haven’t told anyone except my mom about my plans yet, and I kept wondering if I was doing the right thing.”
Billie reached across the table and took Eli’s hand. Without thinking, he brought Billie’s hand up and gave it a gentle kiss. Dark green eyes sparked with desire, and Eli’s body flushed with answering heat. Then he remembered that Billie was a client and he quickly let go of his hand.
“Sorry, I don’t know why I did that. I hope I didn’t offend you.”
“How could I be offended? You’re the sweetest man I’ve ever met.”
“Right back at you.” Eli motioned for the bill and decided a change of topic was needed in order to cool things down. “I guess you’re going to have a busy two weeks.”
Billie ran a hand through his black hair and nodded. “Probably twelve-to-fourteen-hour days to get the samples made. I have two seamstresses on call to help me so we should be fine. But I’m so excited after the meeting tonight I think I could work without caffeine.”
Once they’d settled up, Eli and Billie hopped back in the SUV and drove to his apartment building. At just after midnight, there were still a few people wandering about on the sidewalk.
“You don’t need to walk me up. I’m fine,” Billie insisted as he got out of the car. Eli ignored him, got out, and walked around the car.
“No way. Service is door to door. No exceptions,” Elireplied as they wandered into the lobby of the building. The elevator ride was quick, and Eli escorted Billie right to his door, as promised.
“You’re going to spoil me. What will my neighbors think if they see you walking me to my door?”
“They’ll assume I’m your latest boy toy,” Eli replied with a quick grin.
“If you were my boy toy, I wouldn’t be standing so far away, handsome.”
Eli coughed into his fist. “True.”
“On a serious note, thank you for everything today. I don’t think I could’ve got through that first meeting without you,” Billie said as he walked into his foyer and placed his briefcase on the hardwood floor.
“My pleasure—and you would’ve done fine on your own. Have a good sleep, Billie. I’ll see you soon.”
With a quick nod, Billie closed his door. Eli headed back to the elevator. He suddenly wished that their time together wasn’t over. Their late-night stop at the diner was like a perfect date. Eli couldn’t remember when he’d ever felt so attracted to someone and yet so comfortable with them at the same time. But Billie wasn’t interested in a relationship, so Eli would have to ignore his growing feelings.
As usual, his timing was way off.
Chapter Four
Billie
Two weeks later…
“Frankie, are all the samples on the rack?” Billie yelled out as he ran into his bedroom and changed into a red plaid suit. Fourteen days of non-stop working and Billie was just about ready to drop from exhaustion and stress.
“Yes, I triple checked,” Frankie yelled back. “Is Eli going to help you cart this thing downstairs?”
Billie ran out of his bedroom and back into his office.
“Of course, he’s going to help. He should be here in a few minutes. Oh my God, I’m so nervous. I haven’t been able to sleep or eat properly for days now.”
Frankie came up to him and grabbed his shoulders. “You got this, Billie. The samples are amazing. The whole collection will blow them away. Now take a deep breath and calm down.”
“But I’m meeting the band tonight. Not just Brodie and Ivan. What if the rest of the guys hate what I’ve created? What if Brodie decides the kilts are too much? What then?”