The Glass Ceiling by H J Perry

Author:H J Perry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mm second chance romance, lgbt second chance romance, gay second chance romance, british construction worker romance, blue collar worker gay first time
Publisher: H J Perry
Published: 2018-09-06T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHRIS

WHEN THEY FIRST ARRIVED at the party together, Chris and Tom settled in a corner with a large crowd of friends. They surrounded a round table draped in white cotton linen and bearing the widest possible variation of party beverages.

Colin and Greg showed photos of the actual secret wedding to everyone. They'd attended the romantic event in Scotland with Tom.

Connor and Lee were married on Valentine's Day—how romantic—much to Chris's dismay. He couldn't be one of the select few to attend because he had been booked for a promotional work tour in the Far East in February. He investigated the possibility of flying to Scotland for a day, but it just hadn't been feasible for his schedule.

"I've spotted a man who's just your type over there," Chris said. Having met Tom's boyfriend numerous times, Chris was the first to spy Ben when he arrived with a crowd of his friends. It would never take long to pick Ben out of a crowd; built like a basketball player, he towered above everybody.

"I'll bring you back a scaffolder," Tom whispered in Chris's ear just before he headed off in Ben's direction.

Unable to sit still because of the pent-up nervous energy and the forthcoming exhibition constantly on his mind, Chris circulated. He had no trouble talking to strangers and could work his way around any party with ease. It was the best thing he could do, shove thoughts of art-show logistics to the back of his mind with distraction. That was probably what Tom thought too, with the suggestion of finding him a man for the night.

"I hear the catering here is supposed to be fabulous," or "I've not been to this venue before," were a couple of reliable phrases he could fall back on when speaking to anyone.

After a lady replied, "They do a terrific Sunday lunch," Chris and the lady stared at each other with nothing more to say.

"I'm sorry, please excuse me. My friend needs me." Pointing at Tom, who gave a little wave, Chris hoped he'd adequately excused himself with grace and wasn't going to ruin it by mouthing a thank you to Tom when he didn't know who else might see.

"Good to see you, Ben. I don't have to make an effort to talk to you," he whispered to Tom and Ben as he took Ben's hand. "Which I didn't mean in quite the way I said it. I think I'm all out of polite; I've peaked too soon."

Ben laughed. "No worries. I took it as a compliment, Chris. Not an insult."

And out of nowhere, another stranger was standing beside them. Chris had to be careful; it would be too easy to be overheard saying the wrong thing at this party.

Ben's face lit up with recognition. "Rick. This is my boyfriend, Tom. And another friend of ours, Chris."

Rugged Rick had a mature, weathered face. He looked as if he'd seen the world and had stories to tell. He was older than Chris, but only by a few years.

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