Embracing the Unexpected Read Online Free Page B

ten minutes.”
    “Ava,” Jace offered, “maybe that’s one of the things I’ll be
able to help you with.”
    “I hope so. Now, you two have a great dinner.” She kissed
Parker’s cheek, and as she headed for the door she looked at Jace and said,
“I’ll see you next week.”
    “I’ll have my secretary set up an appointment for you.”
    “Thanks.” And with that she was gone.
    Jace was impressed with the friendship these two had. He
admired their loyalty toward one another.
    “How did you get her to agree so easily?” Parker asked.
    “Because she knows she needs help, and she knows you’re
worried about her.”
    “I just can’t believe she gave in so fast.” He shrugged.
“You know what, it doesn’t matter. As long as you can help her, I don’t care
how she agreed.”
    “Hmm.” Jace smirked because Parker would be mortified if he
knew what Ava had suggested.
    Parker looked at him as if he was crazy, but didn’t pursue
it any further.
    “Are you hungry?” Parker asked.
    “Famished.” Jace hadn’t eaten since breakfast, and whatever
was coming from the direction of the kitchen smelled incredible.
    “Good, because I’ve been cooking all day.”
    “Really?”
    “No.” He laughed and God, if Jace didn’t want to kiss him.
“I ordered from Giuseppe’s.”
    “That’s one of my favorite places to eat.”
    “I have a confession to make.”
    “What is it?”
    “I called Lori and persuaded her to tell me where you liked
to eat. I hope you don’t mind.”
    “Not at all.” Jace thought it was sweet Parker had put so
much thought into dinner.
    “I wanted to do something special for you for making time
for Ava.”
    “I’m here for you too,” he reminded him.
    “I know,” Parker said as he ran his fingers through his
hair.
    The more he did that, the more Jace wanted to run his own
fingers through that wild mess. It was a deep shade of brown, but Jace noticed
it had the most delicate strands of caramel running through it. He hadn’t
realized that before.
    “I didn’t know they did take-out,” Jace said, referring to
the restaurant.
    “They don’t.” Parker laughed. “I’m good friends with
Giovanni, the executive chef, so he did me a favor. But he warned me we have to
eat it while it’s hot. So, while you were talking to Ava, I was in the kitchen
watching them set up for us.”
    “Well then, let’s go eat.”
    “The kitchen’s this way.” He pointed as he started toward
the kitchen, and Jace couldn’t help but watch Parker’s tight, toned ass as they
walked down the hall.
    The more time Jace spent with Parker, the more he wanted. He
was definitely up for this challenge. He had a feeling it would be worth it.
    Dinner went really well. Jace found Parker to be extremely
interesting and realized how much they had in common. They must have sat at the
kitchen table for over two hours, talking about their childhoods and college
life. Jace was disappointed the evening was drawing to a close. There was so
much more he wanted to talk about.
    After they cleared and washed the dishes, Parker suggested
they go sit in the family room. Maybe he didn’t want the night to end either,
but now Jace had a small dilemma in front of him.
    How far was he willing to take this? He was comfortable in
his sexuality and had known he was gay ever since high school. He had no
problem exploring this relationship, but he wasn’t sure what Parker wanted. Up
until now, Jace only had relationships with men who were open with their
sexuality. He’d never had to ask a potential partner if they were into men.
    Jace sat on the edge of the chaise lounge, but never
expected Parker to sit in the small space with him. He could have sat anywhere else
in the room. That had to mean something, didn’t it ? They were close
enough that their thighs were pressed against one another and their shoulders
were touching. Parker had his hand in his lap, so Jace reached out and placed
his hand on top of it. Parker looked down