In the Distance Read Online Free

last thing you need is a houseguest you’ll feel compelled to not only entertain, but cook for.”
    “I wouldn’t feel—”
    “You would. We both know you would. Now, Ethan? He’d let my sorry ass starve. But you would get up early just to have something ready for me before you had to leave for the restaurant. It’ll be easier this way, J. I’ll still come and bug you at Bistro 30, we’ll talk about the upcoming promo on your new cookbook, and you guys can still have your privacy.”
    “Are you sure?”
    A quick glance into the kitchen stopped me dead in my tracks. Blaine’s—no, Blake’s—lean body was leaning the counter. His lower half was now covered in some sweatpants, but the semi he was sporting told me he’d be ready for another round if I chose to stay.
    “Yeah, J. I’m sure. It’s better for everyone this way.” My eyes met Blake’s and I tilted my head toward the front door. “J, can you hold on for a minute?”
    Blake came up behind me and murmured against my neck. “Sure you don’t want to stay?”
    The feel of his lips on my skin should have tempted me to tell Jamie I had to go and take the gorgeous man behind me back to his bedroom. But suddenly, I was bone-tired and wanted the comfort and familiarity of my own bed. “Meetings tomorrow. Rain check?”
    “Can’t wait.”
    No phone numbers had been exchanged, no promises made. There was always the possibility we’d see each other at the gym, but both of us knew this had been a one-time deal. I flashed one last smile, hoisted my gym bag over my shoulder and left all thoughts of Blake and our rain check at the door as I tucked my phone back against my ear.
    “Sorry about that.”
    Jamie’s sigh conveyed everything we never ventured even remotely close to these days. “I could have called you back. Hell, we could have talked about all this tomorrow.”
    As I made my way out of the apartment building, I looked around for a cab. Thank God Blaine, Blake, whoever, lived in Midtown, where there was always a cab somewhere close when you needed one. “Nah, I told you before, your timing was perfect.”
    “If you say so. How’s New York?”
    I paused and looked down the quiet street. I could have answered that question so many ways, none of which would have helped lessen the distance between us.
New York is great.
I
just got laid.
What more could I want?
Or maybe
New York is the same.
But I’m wondering if that’s not enough anymore.
Or even
New York hasn’t been the same since you moved.
Nothing has been.
    I made my way toward Forty-Second Street and hopefully a cab. “Same old, same old. You and Ethan should visit sometime.”
    “I’d love that, Trev, but it’s not in the cards until Bistro 30 is more established. Or until we get a full-time sous-chef in place.”
    Of course. Time to steer the conversation into safer waters. “How is Tyler?”
    “He’s great. Just started classes at the Institute and working his ass off, but he’s a sponge. I swear I didn’t pick up things at his age half as quickly as he does.”
    A voice cut into our conversation from the background. “You just needed the proper inspiration, Golden Boy!”
    “And I thank the culinary gods every day, Ethan, for sending you to inspire me.”
    I groaned. As happy as I was for Jamie, it was late, my body ached from not one but two workouts today and I needed some food. Everyone had their limits and I was steadily approaching mine.
    “Hey J, I gotta let you go. I’m exhausted and I need to find a cab. My parents are cool, but I’m pretty sure even they wouldn’t like waking up to their son making headlines in the tabloids for passing out in the middle of Midtown. Tell Tyler I said good luck with his classes and not to take any of Ethan’s crap. I’ll email you the details of my trip this week so we can try to plan a dinner or two.”
    Jamie’s laugh burst through my phone. “I can see it now. Trevor Pratt Makes a Pratt of Himself on Fifth Avenue. Yeah,