Tea or Consequences by KC Burn

Author:KC Burn [Burn, KC]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-63533-895-9
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2017-09-22T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter SEVEN

AFTER WORK Thursday evening, Riley paused a block away from the restaurant and pulled out his phone. Nothing from Tad since his text earlier, which had been terse in the extreme.

Dinner tonight? Bier Markt at 6?

The request had unnerved him all over again, and it had taken him almost an hour to send an affirmative response. After, he’d spent most of the morning wondering if he should change his mind, or if Tad was going to take him up on his offer or not, and what Riley would do in the many scenarios he dreamed up.

Without much to do in the way of actual work, he’d had far too much time to brood about dinner.

He liked the Bier Markt, but it wasn’t nearly as close to Riley’s condo as Alberto’s. Did that mean something? If so, what? He hadn’t heard from Tad since they’d kissed on Monday. Did it mean something that he’d waited until Thursday to contact him? If Tad wanted to date while having no-strings sex, wouldn’t Friday be a more appropriate date night?

Riley growled under his breath. Bad enough that a high school infatuation held such sway, but he was now resorting to teenaged angst and spending far more brainpower than he should teasing out possible hidden meanings and motivations.

He ran his hands through his hair and strode the last block with false bravado. Might as well face Tad head-on and find out his fate.

Tad waved him over as soon as he walked in. The place was full of people who’d obviously just left work. This didn’t feel at all like a date atmosphere, more like colleagues meeting up for happy hour.

Disappointment swamped him. Tad most likely wanted to discuss the investigation or find out if Riley had any more information. Nevertheless, he smiled and wove through the crowded tables.

“What can I get you to drink?” The server appeared magically as Riley shuffled into a chair.

As tempting as it would be to get sloppy drunk and throw his dignity away while throwing himself at Tad, he did have to work in the morning. He was a long way from the days when he could party all night and roll into work without any sleep.

“Stiegl Grapefruit, please.”

The server dropped a menu and disappeared. Tad raised a brow at him. “Grapefruit beer?”

Riley shrugged. “It’s light and summery. Suits the warmer weather.” It might still be spring, but his sinuses were convinced it was later in the year.

Tad’s beer was dark but almost full, so he likely hadn’t gotten here much before Riley.

By the time the server returned with his beer, they’d both decided on what to order for dinner, but Riley was still no wiser about the purpose of this evening.

“How are you doing?”

Riley smothered a sigh. He was going to tie himself into a pretzel if he didn’t stop wondering if Tad’s words had underlying meanings. Fuck it. He was treating this like a date with no prospect of sex until Tad gave him a reason to think otherwise.

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