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He grabs my shoulders. “No, I mean, are you serious? You’re really going to move to San Francisco?”
I’m dying to say yes to the offer. One, it’s my dream job. Two, he’s my dream guy, and I want to do this relationship thing right this time. If that means taking things slow, I’ll do it. “I don’t want you to feel like I’m chasing you,” I say.
At last, his eyes sparkle with joy. His smile is bright and beautiful. He comes in close. “I’d like it if you chased me! Take the job, Hunter!”
He kisses me, sealing the deal, then we separate and he shoos me back a few steps. “Go. Tell Ilene right now. I want you here in my town every day and every night.”
Well, I travel a lot, but I’m not going to correct him on the details.
Instead, I grab a Lyft and head straight for the San Francisco Webflix offices, giddy because soon these will be my offices too.
And I’ll be with the guy I’m falling for.
Wait. I’m not falling. I fell.
I’m in love with him. And tonight, I’m going to tell him.
45
THE REAL GAMBLE
Nate
Backstage at the theater in the Luxe Hotel, I check my reflection in the mirror and straighten my tie.
Then I look around for something to do or someone to chat with until the auction starts. But everyone’s busy.
Reese is reviewing the final lineup with the twenty guys who entered the auction. “And then Nate will thank our sponsors, and then he’ll give a shout-out to the animal rescues we’re raising money for.”
“Right. I’m all set,” I say, calm on the outside, but a shaken bottle of cola on the inside.
I need my boyfriend.
Need to talk to him. Now.
We’re supposed to go on stage in ten minutes, and he isn’t here. Hunter’s not late. Hunter’s never late.
I check the time yet again. Reese slips away from the guys to set a hand on my shoulder.
“Everything okay? Is Hunter still coming? If he doesn’t show, we’ll just return to the original plan. No need to worry.”
“I’m not worried,” I say to cover up.
The truth is something has been eating at me all day, and I want to snag a private word with my guy before the auction begins.
I grab my phone to see if he’s texted in the last five minutes and I spot a new notification from him.
But then I see something better.
My boyfriend.
He’s walking through the wings, headed straight to me. My breath hitches. Hunter in a suit is dead sexy.
This is a whole new level of hot, and when he reaches me, I tug him into a corner and set a hand on his strong chest. “Damn, my boyfriend cleans up well,” I say.
“Sorry I’m late. I didn’t have a suit with me, so I had to run out this afternoon and get one. I couldn’t very well show up to the auction in trousers and a button-up and have you in a suit.”
“Oh, you should have me in a suit. I’m going to have you in a suit tonight,” I say, with a cocky grin, the one that he loves.
Hunter hums, a dirty, sexy sound that revs my engine. “Later. I promise, Nate. And then, hey, how about again in two weeks when I move here?” he says, exuberant. “It’s all a go with Ilene.”
I punch the sky. “Damn, that’s fast,” I say, yet it’s not soon enough. “I can’t wait till you’re here.”
Excitement over Hunter living in the same town barely covers my emotions. There’s so much more I want. We need to go on stage any second, so I jump off the cliff.
“Will you move in with me?” I ask, right as he says, “I want to tell you something.”
Hunter startles, then tilts his head, curious. “Really?”
I nod. “I don’t want to take it slow,” I say, then stop to give him a chance. “Wait. What were you going to say?”
He grins, bright and buoyant. “I was going to say—I love you.” He grabs my lapels. “I’m in love with you, and I had to tell you as soon as possible. I’m just so in love with you.”
My heart fills with joy. “I love you too, Hunter,” I say.
Reese’s voice carries from somewhere nearby. “Places, gentlemen. We’re about to begin.”
The opening notes of an instrumental piano tune float across the stage as Reese heads to the podium. “I am pleased to share your emcees for the evening. The San Francisco Hawks star receiver Nate Chandler and his husband, Hunter Colburn, an associate producer in sports and documentaries with our streaming partner, Webflix.”
She motions to us with a sweep of her arm, and I square my shoulders. The audience cheers. The theater is full.
We walk on stage, hand in hand, and I am so freaking proud of my man.
“It’s great to be here, San Francisco,” I say to the packed house.
