Heart on the Run Read Online Free Page A

they just decided that you and I should do it? Like it isn’t midterms? Like I don’t have enough to do with studying and working full-time?”
    “ I gave Dermot some menus…he really liked the sound of them.”
    “ Congratulations.” The sincere sentiment emboldened Chaz.
    “ And he wants me to do a tasting menu at the party. If the food is good… He’s going to let me menu plan the lunch specials on Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting in November.” It would mean switching his days off and assuming a lot more responsibility. He looked forward to the challenge with an eagerness that was almost embarrassing.
    “ Dermot’s going to let you cook? In his restaurant? That is impressive.”
    “ So I need to see your kitchen.”
    “ No. We aren’t having a party at my place. I can’t.”
    Chaz bit his lip and glanced around his apartment. “You’ve seen my place, Sprocket. I can’t invite everyone over here.”
    “ Why not? It’s big enough and in a safe part of town. No parking issues.”
    “ It’s…” How to explain that you didn’t want your boss to know that your monthly paycheck wouldn’t cover your rent? “Complicated,” he finished, staring at the marble statue of Paris his mother had sent him from her sojourn in the Greek isles the previous summer.
    A soft huff of air reminded him of Sprocket’s endearing habit of laughing silently. “Chaz, with you, everything is complicated. Let me think about it. We’ll figure something out.”
     
    ***
     
    “ So the guy that had you breaking out the fire whiskey last night called you today? Well, that’s good, right?”
    Sprocket walked out of the bathroom into his bedroom. Mason was sprawled diagonally across the bed with his hands laced behind his head.
    “ Eh…” Sprocket seesawed his hand before dropping the towel that hung around his waist and walking to his dresser naked. “You’d think. Unfortunately he didn’t call just to call. He needs our kitchen.” He pulled on his underwear then picked the towel up off the floor and tossed it on the bed next to his uniform of the day: jeans and a red button-down long-sleeve shirt.
    Mason laughed as he hopped off the bed. “Does he plan to return it when he’s done with it?”
    “ Ha ha, you’re a funny guy. Get your shoes on. I’m almost ready to go.” Sprocket tucked in his shirt before buttoning up his fly.
    “ So,” Mason shouted from down the hall, “seriously, what’s he want to do in our kitchen?”
    “ Not me,” Sprocket mumbled under his breath as he dropped to his knees and peered under the bed for his casual loafers. Louder, he responded to Mason, “Honestly I’m not sure. After I got over the shock that the Chaz was calling me on a Saturday of his own volition, and then the stroke when I realized that he’d left a message, then the heart attack when he actually answered when I called back, and the boner from hearing that damn husky voice whispering in my ear… Well, after that roller coaster ride of emotions, it all sounded like the Peanuts’ adults to me. You know, blah blah blaaah blah blah.” Sprocket drug out the words.
    “ Damn, I hate when those Peanuts’ adults take over my audio abilities.” Mason stepped up in front of the kneeling Sprocket in the infamous missing loafers.
    “ Really? I was gonna wear those today.”
    Mason snorted. “Now you’re not. By the way, thanks for letting me borrow your wheels tonight. Luke says the part should be in on Monday, so the earliest I can get my car back is Tuesday.”
    “ No problem. I’ll get someone from the store to drive me home. Technically today is my day off, but so help me, if Xander convinces Shawna to move the sewing display one more time, he won’t have to worry about dating a chef, I’ll flambé his ass all by myself.”
    “ Kinky. That reminds me, we need to pick up more tequila.” Mason laughed.
    On the drive to Craft Time, Sprocket explained what he thought Chaz meant about utilizing their