Page 38 of Under the Shade of the Sycamore

“For you I will hold off.”

“Thank you.” I longed to kiss his cheek but behaved myself. “I’m really sorry about that short admiration you had back then.”

“Meh, it was not meant to be. But it did serve to open a door of communication with my parents. They were not kind to me for many years but as they aged and the world began to change they changed with it, so some degree. By the time they passed we’d reached an accord of sorts. They would not call me a sinner if I did not discuss my private life with them. That I could live with so we existed amiably. When I married Carlton they sent us well wishes and money but refused to attend the ceremony.”

“Oh that’s crap.”

He lifted a slim shoulder. “The world is made up of small concessions, Kinder. We give, we take, and we try to balance as best we can. They did dine with us on occasion but it was strained, so I stopped forcing Carlton to go.”

“Wow, that’s sad.”

“It was what it was. Sometimes compromise is the best solution to a difficult situation.” He looked me in the eye. “Much like now. We must behave a certain way for a certain amount of time, yes it does suck as you and Mickey like to say, but then we will be able to come forth. Patience is a trait that old men like me have learned over time but you younger ones seem to lack.”

“I get it. We have to be discreet. I hate it but I get it.”

“I hate it as well. But look at how much we will learn about each other.”

I guessed. Still sucked. I’d much rather be kissing on him but yeah, getting to know each other was important too. If only my dick would get on board with that thinking.

He kissed my hand before sending me to my room. I heard the flick of his lighter as I slipped back through the door. I shook my head. I’d have to try my best to get him to quit once this show was over and we could star dating publicly. We had our little press speeches all worked out already. We’d tell the media we’d met on the show, hit it off, but waited until season one was complete before acting on our feelings.

The key scanned with a soft click. I snuck inside, toed off my shoes, and turned to go pee when a voice in the dark floated over.

“Have a nice chat?”

My heart leaped. I spun around. Shit. Shit. Shit. “What?”

The light between the beds came on making me look away until my eyes adjusted. Mickey was stretched out on his bed, atop the covers, hands on his concave belly watching me like a gator who just caught sight of an unsuspecting gazelle at the water hole.

“You and Claude. You talk about the assignment today or did you two just cuddle close and watch the stars.”

“I…what?”

He sat up with a sigh. “You’re not as quiet as you like to think, mate. I’ve heard you slipping out the door for two weeks. First time I went to the window to cool off as I run hot in bed and saw you two on the bench looking real friendly. Close, holding hands, whispering. Then the wind shifted and I didn’t see anything else. But over the past few weeks the leaves have dropped and I have a nice view from up here. I reckon lots of other people might as well. Just a thing for you to have a think over when you’re having your little rendezvous with the old man.”

“He’s not an old man.” Mickey arched a brow. “He’s mature.”

“Okay, yeah, words are important I guess. Let me ask you one thing. And I want you to be honest, right?” I nodded, my legs folding to drop me to the edge of my bed. I felt half sick now, being caught like this was beyond embarrassing. “Did you ask him for a children’s wear assignment knowing you had more experience sewing for kids so to secure another top grade?”

“No!” I barked, the shame giving way to ire. “I would never. I don’t cheat. I don’t have to.” He swung his massive feet to the floor to sit across from me, his gaze holding mine. I refused to look away as if I were guilty of manipulating Claude in any way. “The assignments have been in place for at least six months, Xavier was shouting about it when we went to the museum, remember? How his drinks weren’t there when the museum café had been given the order in the spring. Remember?”

He did. I saw the recollection in his gaze. The tension seeped away from his narrow face.

“Yeah, yeah, I remember now that you mention it.” He blew out a harsh breath. “Look, I think you’re a good bloke, and we’ve gotten close, yeah?”

“We have, and I think you’re a good guy too.”

“So, I’m not going to say this to be an arsehole. I’m going to say this as a new friend. What the bloody hell are you doing, Kinder? Are you two fucking?”

“No, no, we have not fucked. I’ve not even used the notes you gave me.”

“Shite, I forgot about that. It was Claude you were talking about that night then?” I bobbed my head. “Holy hells. He took you to the Arc. You had snails with him. Kinder, mate, what the fuck are you thinking?”

My sight fell to my sneakers then lifted back to Mickey. “I’m thinking I’m falling in love.”

He gawped for the longest time before giving his floppy hawk a shake. “Friend, you’re right in the middle of what could massive cock-up.”

Yeah, I was, and for the life of me I had no clue how to get out of way of the incoming cock-up train or if I even wanted to…