AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Only you can answer that. We don’t know this Daniel guy, so we can’t say if he is playing you or not. I guess you have to ask yourself, how does he make you feel? Have you been sitting there most of the night wondering what it would be like to have him lying next to you? Have you been thinking of all the things you want to do to each other? If the answer to both of those questions is yes—and from your silence, I take that as a yes—then I would say go for it. If you do make a mistake and make a fool of yourself, so what? At least you tried. If you don’t try, then you could be letting the man of your dreams get away, and you may not get a second chance.”
I sat there for a moment thinking about what Tyler had said. I’d not only thought about Daniel all night, but I had acted on it too. We both had. Were those the actions of a man who was just playing me along? Perhaps it had only been me, but the fact that he felt the need to join in too was telling me that he was serious about us.
“Just remember, Richard, whatever you decide, Tyler and I will always be here for you. I can send Tyler up there at the drop of a hat if you need him. I’m only going to say two things. One, be careful. And two, please tell everyone, your mum included. They need to know the real you. We don’t want you to hide anymore. I can tell it is upsetting you to have to conceal who you really are. At the least think about it, especially if this man is your forever love.”
I knew Maddie was right, and I had already decided that I would at least talk to my mum about me, even if Daniel and I didn’t work out.
“I know you’re right, Maddie. But I don’t want anyone to look at me differently. And before you say a word, Tyler, I know you think they won’t. I’m sure that will be the case for most of the guys. But I also have to work with Kye, and I’m not sure he will be as accepting as everyone else.”
“I said it before, and I will say it again. You would be surprised, and I will stand by you as you tell everyone if that is what you want.”
I couldn’t have asked for better friends than Tyler and Maddie. They not only accepted who I was, but would stand by me through thick and thin. Speaking to them this morning had both put my mind at rest and helped me make the right decision.
I was going to see where my feelings for Daniel took me and face the consequences if and when they came. The only thing I had to worry about now was what he had to tell me on Friday. I just hoped that it didn’t tear my world apart, because I had a feeling in the bottom of my stomach that whatever it was, was going to change both our lives forever.
I was currently sitting in my office going through some computer forensic work that a contractor had sent to us. It wasn’t a complicated case, so Jayden had suggested we use him instead of tying me up with a meaningless investigation, although I had to admit that either Tyler or I would have taken half the time to find out what he had. I was startled when my office phone started to ring, and I answered almost immediately.
“Richard White.”
I was actually surprised when I realised that it was Jayden calling me. I assumed he must have a client with him, or he would have just walked down.
“Hi, Richard. Could you come down to my office, please? I have a client here and think you would be the perfect partner to head up the investigation.”
At last, a real job that I could get involved with. I was starting to hate just being a partner in the business and not getting involved with the nitty-gritty. I was starting to realise how Kye felt sitting behind a desk all day. Not that I hated it; I just hated not getting involved all the time and just giving orders to everyone else.
“Sure thing, Jayden. I’ll be right down.”
“Okay, thank you. I will see you in a minute.”
I locked my computer and headed out of my office toward Jayden’s. Unlike some of the staff here, I always knocked before I entered his room. It was only polite. I may have been a partner in the business, but Jayden was still my boss and joint owner of the company.
“Come in, Richard.”
I entered his office and went to walk straight toward his desk, paying no attention to the gentleman sitting there. Why would I? I had the man of my dreams now, so I had little interest in anyone else. Jayden stood and introduced me to the client.
“Richard White, can I introduce you to Daniel Cooper.”
I went to greet the client, not even registering that he was called Daniel. It wasn’t until I saw those chocolate-brown eyes staring back at me that recognition hit. It wasn’t long before the guilt and embarrassment in the pit of my stomach hit me.
I had just been introduced as Richard, but I had told this gorgeous man in front of me that my name was Romeo. I had planned to be honest with him on Friday and tell him my real name, but I had wanted to do that myself and explain the reason why. Now I didn’t have a chance to do that. I’d also spent hours on the phone with him last night doing things I had never done with another man. Things I would never have considered doing with anyone except him. I spoke his voice in almost a whisper. It was more of a question than a statement.
“Daniel?”
Jayden must have been confused at my reaction, because he quickly spoke.
“Wait, you two know each other?”
I turned to look at Jayden, who was still standing there looking between the pair of us.
“Yes. We met in a bar last night. I guess I finally owe you an explanation?”
I looked at Daniel, hoping I hadn’t just blown my one and only chance at love.
“Both of you.”
Chapter Seven
Daniel
