Chapter 112
Ryan had never been on a houseboat before and really had no clue what to expect. He’d seen pictures of yachts in magazines and in movies but had never had personal experience with one of those either. It was his understanding from his conversations with Adam that his houseboat stayed docked at all times. He never took it on the water.
“It’s that one.” Ryan pointed and they headed toward the massive boat. House. Geez. Not at all what he expected. It literally looked like a house that happened to be docked. “This thing must have cost a fortune.”
“Pretty much,” Adam Colfer agreed as he stepped out from the doorway of the entrance. He shook Ryan’s hand and then turned to Chris. “Adam Colfer.”
“Chris Mabry.”
“Come on in. Galaxy just got home and I was about to pour some wine.”
They followed him into the houseboat and Ryan couldn’t believe how much the living room and kitchen looked like rooms found in any house. He whistled.
“Nice, huh?” Adam asked with a grin. “Pinot noir or viognier?”
“An understatement. I had no idea what to expect. Viognier.” He took the glass of white wine Adam handed him.
“Chris, what would you prefer?”
“The pinot, thank you.”
A dark curly haired guy with glasses came out of the bedroom and Ryan could only assume he was Adam’s partner, Galaxy.
“Hi, I’m Galaxy Winthrop.” He offered his hand first to Ryan and then Chris.
“Ryan Callahan and this is my friend, Chris Mabry. Nice to meet you.”
“Viognier, babe?” Adam asked Galaxy who nodded. “I’m serving a sort of baked chicken casserole. Why don’t we all go sit in the living room for a bit? The casserole isn’t quite finished.”
“It smells great.” Ryan chose a seat on the leather couch and Chris took the seat next to him. Adam and Galaxy both chose easy chairs.
“You’re restaurant is doing really well, Chris.” Adam took a sip of his red wine.
“Thanks to my great new chef.” Chris smiled at Ryan.
“You were doing pretty well even before I came along. But, Adam, I’ve heard your place is doing really well, too.”
“Sure,” Adam agreed. “I think I’m getting a lot of business from the locals because you know they’ve all known me for years and they knew the café when that was open. You’re getting some of those as well as a lot of the tourists.”
Chris nodded. “Maybe, but I think Sutter’s Bay is more than big enough to handle both of us having successful restaurants, don’t you?”
“Definitely,” Galaxy spoke up. “And that’s more than enough shop talk, by the way. You two guys wanna talk the ins and outs of your respective restaurants do it on your own time. I’d much rather find out from Ryan how the work on his house is going. I so love that place.”
Adam rolled his eyes. “Brings out his artist tendencies. He looks at a house like yours, Ryan, and he gets this dreamy look in his eyes.”
“The structure is in pretty good shape, but I still haven’t had much time or money to get it furnished much. I’ve got the bare necessities, that’s about it.” Ryan gave Galaxy an assessing look. “You wouldn’t want to come take a look and give me some ideas on décor, would you? I know you aren’t a decorator, but an artist’s eye might be helpful.”
“I’d love to. When?”
“Oh, God,” Adam groaned. “Now you’ve done it. He’ll be painting murals all over your walls in no time.”
Ryan grinned. “That may not be so bad.”
“See?” Galaxy gave Adam a smug look.
“As for when, maybe Wednesday afternoon if you have time?”
“I definitely do.”
A timer went off in the kitchen and Adam stood, announcing, “Dinner is ready.”
* * * *
“Was that awkward for you?” Ryan asked, back at his motorcycle. He handed a helmet to Chris
“Not at all. Why?”
“You were pretty quiet most of the night.”
“This might come as a giant surprise to you, Ryan, but I’m really not that talkative. I’m pretty much an introvert.”
“It kind of does. I mean you flit around the restaurant greeting diners and such like an old pro.” He strapped his own helmet on and swung his legs over the motorcycle.
“That’s business. Different.” He sat behind Ryan and wrapped his arms around Ryan’s middle.
Ryan could definitely get used to the feel of Chris pressed up against him. He inclined his head. “Okay, hang on tight, Mabry.”
It didn’t take long for them to make it to Ryan’s house. Sutter’s Bay, for all its newfound popularity, was not that big. When they made it inside, Jonesy squealed and jumped up in excitement.