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The way Laith’s hazel eyes lit up at the compliment made Tillman’s breath catch. He was falling fast and hard for this man, no doubt about it. He just prayed he wouldn’t end up scaring Laith away once his mate learned the truth about what he was. For now, he would simply enjoy every moment they had together.
After Laith returned with food and coffee, the two fell into easy conversation between serving the customers. Laith would help out where he could, handing Tillman orders or a bag to place orders inside of, though he tried to stay out of the way. Mostly they just stole glances and shared private smiles when their eyes met, the air humming with the thrill of new possibilities.
As closing time neared, Tillman found himself reluctant to see Laith go. An idea struck him, and before he could overthink it, he spoke up.
“Hey, would you maybe want to grab dinner again tonight?” he asked, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “If you’re free, that is.”
Laith’s answering grin was like the sun breaking through the clouds. “I’d love to,” he said warmly. “I really enjoyed the food at the diner last night. Let me go upstairs and shower first.”
Tillman suppressed a groan at the thought of Laith naked in a shower, soap suds gliding down his pale skin. He still had thirty minutes before he closed, and he didn’t want to sport a boner in front of customers.
As soon as Laith grabbed his laptop and walked out, Tillman snatched the toothbrush and toothpaste from a desk drawer and went into the small adjoining bathroom.
Then he fussed with his hair, though he didn’t have any product at the shop to help keep it in line. His house was blocks away, and he wouldn’t have time to go home to properly freshen up.
Just as he stepped back into the interior of the shop, a stranger walked in. “Welcome to The Sugar Well,” Tillman said. “Let me know if you need any help.”
A few more customers came and went, and before Tillman knew it, it was time to close. Ten minutes after that, Tillman wondered what was taking Laith so long.
After he locked up his shop, Tillman headed up the stairs. It was a separate entrance from the shop, an exterior entrance and exit, though there were also stairs from the back of the candy store—hidden behind shelving—that led to a secret entrance upstairs.
When Tillman first bought the place, he wondered who on earth would have a secret passageway to the upstairs hallway. It seemed pretty suspect to him, so he’d sealed off the downstairs entrance, placing shelves in front of it.
As he stood outside Laith’s door—a back hallway connected all the apartments that ran the length of the shopping strip, making it seem more like one large complex—Tillman heard Laith arguing inside his unit.
“Why are you doing this, Danny?” Laith asked. “You never talked to me this much when we were dating. Now you won’t stop calling me.”
Normally, Tillman would leave and give the person privacy, but this was his mate, and if an ex was harassing Laith, Tillman wanted to make his presence known.
He knocked loudly on the door.
“I have to go. Yes, that’s my date. Fuck off,” Laith said a moment before he came to the door. “Sorry about that. Unwanted phone call. I’m ready.”
Tillman wasn’t sure what was going on, but he wanted to let Laight know that he was there for him. He just had to wait until his mate trusted him enough to confide in him.
* * * *
Laith was fuming that Daniel wouldn’t leave him alone. How many different ways could he tell the guy that they were over? He really didn’t consider dinner with Tillman a date, but maybe if his ex saw that Laith had moved on, Daniel would do the same.
Laith took a deep breath to calm himself after the unwanted call. Though irritated, he didn’t want to let it ruin his evening with Tillman.
As they walked down the stairs, Laith gave Tillman an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that. Just an ex who doesn’t understand what ‘it’s over’ means.”
Tillman nodded in understanding. “No need to apologize. I’m happy to be your excuse to get him off the phone.” He grinned.
As soon as it struck Laith what Tillman just said—“get him off the phone”—he stumbled on the stairs, grabbing the railing to steady himself.
“You okay?” Tillman asked.
“I forgot I have a deadline.” Laith ran back up the stairs, so terrified that he wanted to barricade himself inside. He hadn’t given away any clues that he was gay. Why would Tillman assume that Laith’s ex was a guy?
“Laith.” Tillman barreled up the stairs behind him. “Laith, wait a minute.”
Laith couldn’t believe he had accidentally revealed something so personal to Tillman. Even though Tillman seemed accepting, Laith wasn’t ready for anyone here to know he was gay.
He fumbled with his keys, hands shaking as he tried to unlock his apartment door. Before he could get inside, Tillman was there behind him.
“Damn it, Laith,” Tillman said gently. “Tell me what I said wrong.”
