A Flighty Fake Boyfriend (Men of St. Nachos #2) - Z.A. Maxfield Page 0,2
he was busy.
I stepped inside and noticed again how homey Dan and Cam’s place looked. The house he’d shared with his ex-wife had been sleek and modern and—I privately thought—ice cold.
This new Ralph Lauren adjacent country elegance suited the Daniel Livingston I knew much better.
“Have a seat. I was just about to get some coffee.” Dan wore jeans and a button-down. He still looked as elegant as he had when his suits were bespoke. He had dark hair and serious brown eyes in a handsome face. Since I’d known him when he was married to his ex, BreeAnna, I never saw him as anything but a friend, but I often wished I had someone like him. Intelligent and kind. Dedicated.
I cleared my throat. “No thanks.”
“I feel like hell this morning,” said Dan. “Note to self: Ryan Winslow’s idea of a bar crawl is madness.”
“I’m hungover as fuck,” I admitted. “I drink too much. It’s habit. I drink coffee to stay awake and liquor to wind down.”
“You think you have a problem?”
“I think I will if I don’t do a little more to protect my health. Our favorite server at Bistro accosted me with this today.” I held up the drink. “You’re not the first to tell me I look like hell.”
“I think it’s going to be a theme if there are people who know you at Luis’s wedding.”
I shrugged.
“What’s got you so messed up?” he asked. “The wedding or work?”
“I’m always messed up about work, but yeah. This wedding’s fraught with anxiety. Luis and I are playing chicken. I doubt the invitation was sincere, but I couldn’t refuse because I don’t want him to think his marriage bothers me.”
“Does it?”
I hesitated. “I’m glad he found what he’s looking for.”
“But…?” Dan knew me so well.
“But his fiancé is a barrister specializing in international law and human rights. He’s dedicated, invested in his work, but has somehow made time for a personal life. It’s as if Luis is saying, ‘This could have been you if you weren’t defective.’”
“Don’t compare. People handle stress differently.”
“It’s becoming clear I don’t handle stress at all. According to you and the waiter of mystery, I store it on my body like The Picture of Dorian Gray.” I sank farther into the comfort of a buttery soft couch and pretended not to notice that one corner of the skirting had been chewed down to the foam padding.
“Maybe you should talk to a therapist?” Daniel always got to the heart of things.
“Probably.”
“I’m putting that on my checklist of things to badger you about when you get home. You can’t keep going like this.”
He was right, of course. “No. I can’t.”
“I’m glad you’ve at least taken these days to visit. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you.”
“Me too. I love it here.” I snapped my fingers for Blue the Queensland heeler. Between her, a border collie with one blue eye and one brown named Malarky, and Molly, a younger border collie, I’d rediscovered my love of dogs. I wished I could adopt a dog, but I lived in an apartment and spent long hours working. “How come you have so many animals? When you were with BreeAnna, you never had any that I knew of.”
“Cam grew up on a ranch. He adores them. I love watching him with them. There’s nothing in the world like a hot man romping with dogs at sunrise.”
“I work too much, or I’d get a dog.”
“We have plenty to share. Our place is turning into a petting zoo. Stop by any time.”
I smiled, wishing it was that easy.
“About your plus-one.” He grinned knowingly. “You never did say who you’re taking. Is he hot?”
I gasped in mock outrage. “Do I appear shallow to you?”
“Yes. Now spill.”
“I’m taking Lawrence Dunbar.” I tried not to sound smug.
He gasped. “The guy from the Marvel movies?”
“That’s the one. He’s meeting me in Santa Barbara on Friday night.”
“I am in awe of your choice.” He sat back. “Gorgeous, out and proud, A-list actors aren’t thick on the ground.”
“He’s a friend and benefactor. Lila brought up his name when we were working on our media campaign two years ago. He’s a great guy. He agreed to be in our public service ads, and while we were shooting them, he and I hit it off.”
“Go you.” Daniel widened his eyes. “He’s pretty hot. What’s it like, dating such a big name?”
“He and I don’t date.” I finished the last of my drink and set the cup on the coffee table. “We’re just friends.”