Patrick shrugged and seemed embarrassed when it came to talking about his appearance. “I… guess,” he mumbled. “People have told me I’m cute.” He chanced a glance at Derek. “Including you.”
“That’s because you are.” Derek halted again and sipped from his cup as he gazed at Patrick. “Since neither of us good-looking guys have boyfriends…” He licked his lips and smiled. “Would you like to go out sometime?” His smile stretched. “With me, I mean.”
Patrick laughed softly. “I… I assumed you meant with you.”
“Well?”
A notable hesitation gripped the other boy and he glanced around. For a second, Derek thought he might turn him down—and experienced a level of disappointment that caught him off guard. Why should he care, really? There were blocks of the city crawling with hot, sexy gay boys who would jump at the chance to get down and dirty with Derek. Yes, hewantedPatrick—wanted himbad—but just for some fun sex, right?
Right??
Patrick shifted his feet and twisted the soda cup in his hands. “Um… maybe.”
“Your enthusiasm is overwhelming.” Derek chuckled.
“I’m sorry, it’s just…” He met Derek’s gaze as his words melted away.
“Just what?” Derek murmured.
“Uh…” He bit his lip again and Derek went soft in the knees—andhardelsewhere. “I…” Conflicting emotions churned in his eyes and, for a split second, Derek thought he might bolt—fleeDerek’s presence. When he finally worked the words up his throat, Derek suspected they weren’t the ones he’d been struggling with. “I just… I don’t really date that much.”
“No worries. It’s like riding a bike.” He arched his brow. “So… dowehave a date?”
The young man looked a little like a deer caught in the headlights. Again, the impression was strong that he might suddenly run away.
Am I that scary?Derek mused.
“Yeah,” Patrick whispered with a noticeable tremor, as if responding to Derek’s thought.
“Yeah…?” Derek stared at him for clarity, then pressed on when Patrick remained quiet. “We have a date?”
Patrick swallowed and nodded, though the “frightened” look held firm on his face.
“You’re sure?” Derek cocked his head. “’Cause you don’t look too sure. You know, you don’t have to. I just thought we might have fun.”
An almostpainedlook spread across Patrick’s face—further evidence of an inner battle.
Fuck—what’re you fighting in there?
“I-I’ll go… out with you.”
A cautious smile touched Derek’s lips. “Yeah? For sure?”
Patrick nodded.
The young man’s obvious reluctance had Derek baffled. But if he was willing to give it a go—so was Derek. “All right. Great. Saturday night?”
Patrick blinked, his visible uncertainty mounting. “That’s… that’s tomorrow night.”
“Too soon?”
“No… it’s… it’s fine.” The boy seemed about to hyperventilate as his breath quickened and anxiety pinched his brow.
Derek changed the subject. “So, where’s your booth?” he asked. “What’re youpeddling?”He smiled.
“It’s down the block.” Patrick nodded in a random direction as he got his breathing under control. He didn’t answer Derek’s second question.
“Is it some kind of business thing? I mean, you’re all dressed up.”
