Lucas walked to his side and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Hey, baby,” Caleb said, smiling. “Not that I mind, but why so early?”
Lucas grinned. “I have some exciting news and I couldn’t wait to share it.”
Caleb glanced at the team, saw they were doing fine, so he gave Lucas his full attention. “Okay, shoot.”
“My boss called me in to his office and offered me the morning spot.”
Caleb wrapped his arms around Lucas. “God, that’s amazing! The morning show?”
Lucas nodded. “Starting next week!”
They had been hoping for that, because it meant they’d both be home in the evenings. As it was now, sometimes they worked opposite hours, making it hard.
“I’m going to pick up Greek for dinner so we can celebrate,” Lucas said with a wink.
Caleb smiled. Ever since the first night they celebrated together after his coming out, it became tradition to “celebrate” in boxers only. He watched Lucas leave and gave a contented sigh. He wasn’tsure what he’d done to deserve this life, but he’d do everything he could to make sure he held onto it forever.
He turned back to the team and saw Miles attempting to do some kind of robotic dance.
“Miles!”
THE END
Eggplant Highlights and Mustard Yellow Jeans
Dedicated to Joel for helping me see all the beauty in this world.
1
“Guess who just walked in?”
No! Seth’s breath hitched as Karlee burst into the storeroom, her eyes twinkling as she spilled the news.
“Today? He never comes on a Tuesday,” Seth hissed, smoothing down his unruly hair with his hand.
“Oh, please…you look great. Just get out there and help him,” she ordered, a smile playing at her lips.
“I can’t. The purple is too bright. I can’t go out there looking like Barney,” he insisted. Why was this happening today? “I just had to get the highlights yesterday,” he groaned, momentarily dropping his head into his hands. “My hair hasn’t had time to…adjust.”
Karlee rolled her eyes and put her hand on her hip. “Quit being so dramatic, Seth. He’s been coming here for months. He’s seen your hair transform from green to electric blue to that unfortunate pink debacle that we shall never speak of again.” She chuckled as he blanched. “Purple shouldn’t surprisehim.”
“Don’t remind me,” Seth warned as he moved to stand in front of the oval mirror hanging on the wall next to the door. He eyed his reflection and tried again to smooth down his thick raven hair. Maybe the purple wasn’t so bad. This time he’d gone for an edgier cut and liked it. Short and close to the scalp on the sides and back, but leaving the top long enough to fall forward, fanning the purple highlights asthey fell across his forehead.
Karlee cleared her throat. “Okay, this is ridiculous. As your friend, I’m telling you to quit worrying and get out there. As your boss, I’m telling you to get the fuck out there and help, Barney!”
Seth snorted and flipped her off as he pushed through the door, entering the store. Her laughter followed him, and if he’d had time, he would have gone back to flip her off again.
His eyes swept the small shop and landed on the man of his dreams. Shit, he was wearing that sexy black leather jacket that made him look even hotter than he already was. His honey brown hair was tousled and he was wearing at least a couple days’ worth of stubble. Seth’s heart pounded hard and he felt the pulse all the way to his toes. He shook himself and inhaled deeply, trying to steady himself before he fixed a smile on his face and strode over to help.
“Hi,” Seth said, his voice entirely too loud for the otherwise-empty store. “Today’s not Thursday,” he blurted, heat filling his cheeks instantly. Way to go, idiot!
The gorgeous man checking out the new pasta maker they’d just had shipped in turned to gaze at him, his eyebrows raised. “You’re right,” he conceded, his sky blue eyes sparkling as he took in Seth’s new look.
Seth wanted to glance away—hide his humiliation—but he didn’t have enough willpower. Whenever he was in this guy’s presence, it was as if he forgot how to breathe. Seth knew practically nothing about him—not even his name—other than he liked to purchase high-end and unique kitchen tools, and always paid in cash.
“I heard this had arrived and I had to see it for myself,” he said, sweeping his gaze back to the pastamaker. “It is definitely a thing of beauty,” he added, his hand caressing it in a way that made Seth suddenly wish he was an appliance.