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“Good. I meant what I said about not wanting to be a secret, but I can also understand if you need to...tone it down around him, keep the peace.”
“Nope.” Garrick leaned over and kissed Rain’s head. “I’m not sure exactly what the hell we’re doing, but hiding isn’t a part of it. I like you exactly how you are, no toning down required.”
“Good.” Rain patted his hand. “I like that. And thanks for the job lead. You might not know what we’re doing, but I think what we’re doing is awesome. You’re a good guy.”
And as they sat there at the dinner table, Garrick had to hope that he wasn’t going to be the one to let Rain down, the one to dampen his glittery free spirit or break his big, generous heart. He tried not to ask the universe for too much—a chance to do his job again mainly—but now he added a little, quiet request to get a chance to be what Rain needed.
Chapter Eight
“Are we at the point yet where I get to tell you that you look smoking hot in those work shirts of yours? And that compliment might get me a kiss hello?” Rain batted his eyes at Garrick, not trying to hide his admiration for what crisp cotton and a row of buttons did for Garrick’s buff chest and forearms, especially with the collar buttons open and the sleeves rolled back.
“Someone’s in a good mood.” Garrick waved him into the house. Cookie was dancing around like an extra in a rap video, preventing Rain from leaning down and claiming that kiss.
“I should be. Put my application in online last night and got a call this afternoon for an interview Monday. Your friend is fast.”
“Good.” Garrick’s smile was genuine and wide, but his eyes were tired, shoulders more slumped than usual.
“Did you overdo it again today? You had our morning exercise, PT with Stephanie, then work. You must be bushed.” Rain rubbed one of Garrick’s meaty shoulders.
“Nah. I’m okay. But because it looks like it might sprinkle, I think I’ll stay in. I’d rather avoid needing to dry the chair if it gets wet.”
“What? It’s not designed for underwater use?” Rain joked, but honestly, he wasn’t sure what it would take for Garrick to actually admit he was tired and sore. “And yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised if we got some weather before morning.”
“Did you already eat? My dinner was a sandwich, and I was contemplating making some sort of dessert while you walk.”
“Yeah, I ate with Grandma and now she’s off with her Friday night friends. As to dessert, I have ideas...” Rain grinned because he was more than happy to volunteer himself as dessert, but he could be good too. “Sorry. Not trying to tease—”
“Liar.” Garrick laughed and shook his head.
“Truth. I’ll walk Miss Impatient here, and you see what you can find, but seriously, dude, if you need rest—”
“What I need is a way to make a brownie mix vegan so you can have some.” Garrick waved away Rain’s concerns.
“Use flax seed to replace the eggs.” Rain liked how Garrick always tried to accommodate Rain despite his own omnivorous tastes. “And thanks for adapting the recipe.”
“I try. Now get going before it rains.”
A bitter wind greeted Rain and Cookie, and they’d barely reached the halfway point when the skies opened up in a way they seldom did this time of year, pelleting them with a harsh, driving rain.
“Come on, Cookie. Let’s run!” But even racing back to Garrick’s place at top speed, they were both soaked by the time they reached the porch.
“There you are.” Garrick was waiting for them in his chair, stack of fluffy gray towels in his lap. “I was worried.”
“It’s just water.” Rain didn’t like him worried, didn’t like adding to the tightness around his eyes, but he’d be lying if he didn’t admit that Garrick’s caretaking felt damn good too. They worked together to dry Cookie enough to let her into the house.
“You’re shivering,” Garrick pronounced as Rain straightened from toweling off the dog. “You need a hot shower. How about—” A torrent of more rain cut Garrick off. “Crap. You want to avoid the mad dash across the street and shower here? I’m not sure what I’ve got clotheswise that you’d like, but you left your robe here last week. I hung it up in the hall bath for you.”
“That works.” Warmth spread across Rain’s chest. His robe. That Garrick had so easily assigned ownership of the elegant garment to him, that meant something.
“If you need shampoo or whatever, there are toiletries from various guests under the sink.” Garrick all but herded Rain toward his guest bathroom. Apparently, worrying over Rain had given him a fresh jolt of energy because he didn’t seem anywhere near as tired now. His concern was super cute. Rain didn’t usually get fussed over like this and it was nice. “And I’m going to turn the fireplace on for you.”
