AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Now, have a sip of this.” Spencer smiled, shifting Cole’s mind to a better place.
Lyndon appeared again, this time with a tumbler of amber-colored liquid swirling in a unique pattern at the bottom of the glass.
“It’s Frapin XO, a rare cognac with extracts of brown sugar and chocolate. Try it after a couple exhales. It’ll embolden the flavor of the cigar.”
“Holy shit, that’s good.” Cole frowned. “I don’t think I’ve tasted anything so delicious.”
Spencer’s smirk was tempting and mischievous. “Isn’t that a shame.”
Spencer
Spencer was nervous to return to the back of the house, where he was sure most of the staff were gossiping about his behavior tonight. It’d been a long time since they’d seen him work on the floor and even longer since he’d cozied up to a customer.
Poor Lyndon must have been bombarded with questions when he’d gone for pickups, poor thing. It was amazing he was still hitting his points on time.
The staff was allowed to eat and drink with the customers in moderation. It made them seem more like company instead of waiters.
Spencer sat in comfortable silence with Cole, sharing the delicious cigar and the expensive rum.
Cole set the glass on the table and watched some of the customers conversing near the professionally decorated Christmas tree, but Spencer’s attention was locked.
The owner of the largest jewelry company ever was sitting beside him and, dare he say, showing real interest, but Spencer’s heart was battling with his mind.
He’d inched so close he could smell Cole’s expensive cologne, the powerful scent blending with his dark liquor in the most intoxicating way.
He shouldn’t be getting so personal again nor skirting the line of separating business from pleasure. For the last four years, Spencer had kept his work strictly professional in the lounge—until Cole.
He was handsome and charming, like a lot of men Spencer saw on any given weekend. But after sitting with Cole for a couple of hours in companionable silence, he also saw humility in him.
Cole wasn’t flaunting his station by demanding better seating in platinum VIP or making outrageous requests even Sergio couldn’t meet. Instead, the business tycoon sat relaxed and seemed content with what he had.
“So, Mr. Burbank, tell me some—”
“Please, just Cole,” he reminded him.
Cole brought his finger up and touched it to Spencer’s parted lips. “My older brother, Coleman, was Mr. Burbank. He was the best CEO, and to me, he always will be.”
“They were big shoes to fill, Cole, and you’re doing a great job,” Gerald chimed in on their conversation. “You honor his name every day.”
Spencer had forgotten again that he and Cole weren’t alone. It wasn’t like him, neglecting his other customer, but he was grateful when he saw Lyndon massaging Gerald’s shoulders, keeping him satisfied.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up a sensitive subject.” Spencer blinked at the emotion he saw in Cole’s eyes before he had to look away. “I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s okay.” Cole plastered on a tight smile. “People still mistake me for him, and it’s been two years.”
“Only because he was basically your twin—you were one year apart, Cole. And you’ll distinguish yourself soon enough. The new series you’re designing is amazing, not to mention the literary collection.” Gerald nodded toward Spencer. “Just ask your biggest admirer.”
Cole nodded, but he didn’t add anything, and Spencer found himself wanting to erase his sad smile.
“Have you eaten? We can order food if you like.”
“You have something you want to recommend?” Cole asked.
“We have a tapas sampler platter that gets rave reviews, and I hear the holiday charcuterie tray is delicious, though I haven’t tried it.”
“Are you hungry?” Cole asked him instead.
“A little, I guess.”
