There Has to Be a Reason by Kate McMurray

Author:Kate McMurray [McMurray, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-63533-212-4
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2017-01-09T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

SO JOE notwithstanding, the summer continued apace.

The unpleasantness between me and Noel—I couldn’t figure out how else to describe it, because it wasn’t really a fight, but Noel seemed bothered I hadn’t told Joe about us yet—dissipated quickly. He invited me out to Sunday brunch with him and Ashley when she was in town again, and we went out to the restaurant at the farm on Route 116 that made fluffy pancakes with apples and maple syrup harvested right there.

Over coffee Ashley explained she was from Brookline and didn’t get along very well with her parents, so she had more or less invited herself to crash with Noel whenever she had a weekend off work. When Noel cracked a joke about charging her rent, I didn’t think he was completely joking. I knew, because we’d talked about it a little, that he was happy for the company, but on the other hand, we’d had very few opportunities to be alone with each other.

Still, I was happy to spend time with him in any way we could manage it. Also I loved brunch.

“So this guy came into the shop last week,” Noel said as our plates were put in front of us. “It’s his first anniversary with his girlfriend and he wants to look nice.”

Through a mouthful of delicious apple-cinnamon pancakes, I said, “For a date at the Pub, I’m guessing.”

“Actually I got you a customer, because I suggested he take her to Hale’s.” Noel grinned. “Anyway the guy was kind of awkward. Talked a little too loud, wore clothes that didn’t quite fit. So I decided this was a project.”

“Oh, here we go,” said Ashley.

“Hey, I like clothes. I mean, don’t you ever walk across campus and want to give half the WMU student body a makeover?”

“No,” Ashley and I said in unison.

Noel rolled his eyes. “Well, I wanted to make this guy look good on his date. Apparently his girlfriend is kind of a fashionista, and although she doesn’t try to dress him up or anything, he wants to try harder for her. Isn’t that cute?”

“That is cute, sweetie,” Ashley said. “So what did you pick out for him?”

“Flat-front khakis that are actually the right length for him and a cotton button-down that had sort of a blue swirly pattern on it. He looked hot when I was done with him.” He rubbed his palms together. “Mission accomplished.”

“Cool,” I said. “Joe and I ate at the Pub a few weeks ago, and we saw this couple there dressed to the nines. This area needs nicer restaurants if people are going to go on dates like that.”

“There’s always Linetti’s,” said Ashley.

“Not many college kids can afford Linetti’s,” said Noel. “Anyway, I felt like I had done my good deed for the day. I kind of forgot about him, but he came in yesterday to tell me the date was a big success. His girlfriend was impressed with the clothes.”

“Congratulations on getting someone laid,” said Ashley. “Now if you could just do the same for yourself.

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