“Seriously, listen. I want you to have a ten percent stake in the shop.”
Seth was stunned. “What?”
She put her hands on his knees. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while. You are amazing at what youdo here. The staff always love you. Customers love you. And you jump in wherever needed, never caring about getting your hands dirty. You’re a huge part of why this place is so successful. And now, with the expansion, I really want you to be part of it. I’ve even talked to the lawyer that helped me with adding Chris to the new business.”
He fought the tears welling up in his eyes as he enveloped her in his arms. “Thank you,” he whispered. “Thank you, Karlee.”
“I’ll have the lawyer draw up the papers and we’ll get them signed as soon as possible,” she promised as she pulled back.
Seth wiped the tears from his cheeks and smiled. “Now, let’s get those items ordered. I’ve already transferred money into my checking account!”
Karlee chuckled. “You are always prepared!”
He winked at her. “Always.”
* * * *
Chris showed up around closing time. Seth’s heart pumped harder as he watched him breeze through the door, his bright green T-shirt pulling tight across his chest and arms. He sighed as he imagined running his fingers over those muscles.
“Oh, my God,” Karlee hissed from behind. “You are such a smitten kitten!”
He whirled around, ready to deny it, but Chris’s words floated over to him and he lost his train of thought.
“Joey! Man, how have you been?”
Seth had forgotten Joey was in the new space working. He turned to see Chris pull out of Joey’s embrace. Hmm. Interesting.
“Good. You?”
Seth watched as they talked and something in the back of his mind nudged at him. They looked good together. Comfortable. Joey was shorter than Chris. Stockier. But built. With his short, dark hair, deep brown eyes, and close beard, he was pretty sexy, too. Not Seth’s type…but was he Chris’s type? They seemed close.
“Stop it, Seth,” Karlee whispered.
He looked at her in surprise. “Stop what?”
“I know you, honey. Don’t try to hide it from me. Shut that green-eyed monster down now. He’s crazy about you. You, Seth. Not Joey. Not anyone else. God, all you have to do is look at him when he’s with you and anyone can see how he feels.”
Seth glanced at the two men as they talked. Maybe he was just being paranoid. Karlee was right. He had a good thing going. Now was not the time to let his imagination run out of control.
“Seth?” Chris called, gesturing him to join them.
He glanced at Karlee and she shot him a half-smile. “Go,” she mouthed.
Seth smiled back and straightened himself. When he joined the men, Chris slid his arm around Seth’s shoulders and pulled him close.
“Oh, wow! I didn’t know you two were an item,” Joey said, his eyes darting between them.
“Well, we are. Right, Eggplant?” Chris squeezed his shoulders.
Seth blushed at the nickname, but grinned. An item. Did that make them official? “That’s right,” he said, slipping his arm around Chris’s waist.
Joey’s eyebrow rose. “Eggplant?”
Chris laughed. “Private story.”
“Okay. So, you want to take a look at what I did today? We made a lot of headway with the cabinets in theback room.”
“I’ve got to finish up here, Chris, but go ahead,” Seth told him. “I’ve already seen it. The space is really shaping up.”
Chris gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Okay. I’ll be back in a few.”
Seth smiled. “I’ll try to get everything wrapped up.” He strode to the counter where Karlee was going over the receipts.
“You’re already off,” she said, her brow furrowed. “You don’t need to help me with anything.”
“I know. I just wanted to help,” he said, shrugging. “You’re tired. Why don’t you go home? Get a good night’s sleep.”
Karlee stifled a yawn and laughed. “I guess I am pretty tired.” She narrowed her eyes. “You sure you don’t mind?”
“Not at all. You’re halfway done anyway. I can get it done in ten minutes or less.”
Karlee hugged him and grabbed her purse. “See you tomorrow,” she hollered as she made her way out the door.
Seth chuckled and turned to the task of closing out the register. He’d been wrong about what he told her. It didn’t take ten minutes. It took less than five. He checked the stockroom, turned off lights, locked the back doors, and made his way to the new space to see if Chris was ready to head out. He was hoping he wanted to come to his apartment and watch a movie. He grinned. Lately, the word “movie” was code for “making out.”
“How can you be with him? He’s not your type at all.”
Seth froze. Was that Joey talking to Chris?
“Hey, stop that. You don’t know anything about Seth.”
“I know there is no way he can satisfy you like I could. Tell me you don’t miss bending me over the sofa and fucking the hell out of me.”
“We had fun, I admit that.”
“We could have it again, baby.”
Baby? Seth’s breath hitched in his throat. What the hell?
“Joey…”
“Come on, baby. I miss you pounding my ass every night. God you were the best I’ve ever had. Remember that time on the balcony? My nosy neighbor?”
Chris’s laughter floated out, and Seth fought the panic rising in his chest. His feet were welded to the floor.