Love and Linguistics by Tara Lain

Author:Tara Lain [Lain, Tara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-64080-748-8
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2019-08-19T05:00:00+00:00

HENRY STALKED by the practice room for the fifth time. No El. He kept walking toward Jane’s desk.

She held up a hand toward him. “No. Before you ask for the tenth time, I haven’t seen El. He lives in your apartment, not mine. I have no idea when he left or where he went. Okay?”

Carefully tucking his tail between his legs, he turned and retreated to his office, where he closed the door and his eyes. When Jane ran out of patience with him, he was walking a fine line. Go to work.

He settled in his chair and brought up some of his client files to track their progress against his own set of benchmarks. Maybe he could find another case he could use as an exhibit in his paper—in case El was gone for good.

The flash of pain that seared his chest actually made him press his hand there like maybe he was having a heart attack. It took a second to realize it wasn’t angina—it was loss.

Jesus, take a breath. El’s not my property.

Still, the idea of his leaving—or having already left….

His phone buzzed, and he grabbed for it. “Yes?”

“He’s back.”

Relief made him light-headed, but he sprang to his feet, grabbed the edge of the desk to steady himself, then tried to walk out of his office and down the hall to the practice room, imitating a rational person.

Behind him, Jane giggled.

Slowly Henry opened the practice room door. El sat hunched in the practice chair, earphones in place, eyes closed. “Good evening. Isn’t it a lovely event? How kinnnnnd of ya-oooo to invite me.”

He must have felt the weight of Henry’s gaze because he opened his eyes, met Henry’s stare briefly, then dropped the baby greens to his own hands. “Hel—lohh. How are you? Uh, I’m sorry I missed practice.”

Henry walked in and closed the door behind him, then sat in the chair opposite El. El pulled off the earphones. Henry cleared his throat. “Is everything okay?”

El nodded.

“I was worried.”

“Sorry.”

Henry gazed at El’s face a moment longer, but he never raised his eyes. Henry sighed and stood. He’s not my property. He walked to the door.

“Was you really worried about me?”

Henry turned back. “Yes.”

“Why were you worried?” El grinned.

“I thought….” He raised his shoulders and dropped them. “I’m not totally sure. I guess I thought you’d decided this was too much trouble and left.”

“I, uh, actually I went to apply for a job.” He swallowed loud enough to hear. “You know, Margo said I didn’t have to talk too good to get a job, so I dropped off a résumé at this company. It was funny. The woman said I was probably overqualified for the job. Isn’t that a riot? I mean, me. But it was because of that great suit you guys picked out for me. But still, if I’d talked too bad, she wouldn’t have said that, do you think?”

El was babbling. Why is he so nervous? “Uh, badly. ‘If I’d spoken too badly’ would be the better choice.

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