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.We’ll actually have some extra money to put toward future events.” Richard looked at his watch.“Well, now that you’re here, Kyle, I better get home.Paul will be expecting me.But I have a feeling I know exactly what to do about the now-vacant activities coordinator position.” Richard gave Kyle a knowing look, and Kyle’s insides squirmed with delight.The idea had crossed his mind, and he had hoped it would cross Richard’s as well.He needn’t have worried.“Okay, these chewy, chocolate brownie things are to die for.It’ll cost me another forty-five minutes on the treadmill, but I have to go get another!” Scott sashayed off toward the desserts, leaving Richard and Kyle alone.Richard cast him a furtive look.“How are things with Emory?”“Well, aren’t we gossipy?”Richard’s expression went from mild indignation to bashful schoolboy as Kyle tried his best to keep a straight face.“I guess I was hoping some of what I had told you had proved useful.But neither one of you has said boo, though I did hear something about the two of you having a dog together, and well—” Richard’s face had become beet red, and Kyle decided to rescue him.“Emory and I, we’re still just friends.We do have a dog, Max.So, Emory is over visiting quite a bit.”“But… just friends?”“For now.But I’m hopeful.”“That boy.” Richard shook his head, smiling softly.“I’m sure he’ll come to his senses eventually.” Richard gave a sly wink and took his leave.Kyle could only pray Richard was right, and wait for that day with anticipation.Scott came back over, brownie in hand.Kyle assumed Emory would be pretty preoccupied, so he was happy there was someone else to talk to.“You have the second chaperone shift as well?”“Yup.Arrived just a few minutes before you did.Emory asked me, and there was no way I was going to say no.”Scott gave Kyle a winning smile, and Kyle thought about how much he liked Scott.Everything had been such a whirlwind since moving back to town—with Janie coming to stay for two weeks and then everything with Emory—Kyle hadn’t had as much time as he would have liked to create friendships with some of his work colleagues.Scott was one of the people he had gotten to know fairly well.He was extremely outgoing and gregarious and had made a point to make Kyle feel welcome as soon as he started work.Kyle really admired what Scott did.Being in charge of a lot of the STD and HIV testing meant he was responsible for doling out the bad news when necessary.As upbeat and as rather flamboyant as he was, Scott had an exceptional bedside manner, and he even sent a few patients to Kyle when he thought they could use someone to talk to.Kyle hoped he and Scott could become better friends.Over lunch several weeks ago, in the employee break room, they had already discovered they both had secret geek love for Star Trek: The Next Generation.“I’m really glad you’re here, Kyle, because I’ve actually finished the first season of The Next Generation, and I was wondering if I could get the second from you.”“You’ve gone through the first season already?” Scott had practically salivated when Kyle told him he had all seven seasons on DVD.He had brought the first season in to work for Scott barely over a week ago.Scott flipped his blond highlighted hair out of his eyes.“Well, now that I’m single again, it certainly fills the void in the evenings.I usually always go for guys with a healthy head of hair, but there’s only one thing I can say about Captain Jean-Luc Picard: hot!”Kyle threw back his head and laughed.He tried to tell himself the way Scott’s eyes wandered over his body at the mention of being single was his imagination.Scott was outgoing and flirty.It was just the man’s personality.Kyle certainly hoped Scott wasn’t looking for more.“I’d be happy to loan you all the seasons.No worries.”“Thanks.That would be awesome.I was seriously afraid I was going to have withdrawals or something.I’ve never watched the episodes all in order before, back to back.It’s addictive!”“You going to survive through the weekend?” Kyle chuckled.The pained expression crossing Scott’s face was hilarious.“May-beeee.” Scott’s bottom lip quivered dramatically.“Tell you what.” Kyle’s shoulders were shaking from his own laughter.“Why don’t you stop off at my place on your way home, and I can load you up with a few more seasons.I wouldn’t want you climbing the walls this weekend because I denied you your bald-man fetish.”“You’ve got yourself a deal!”Kyle wandered over to the food and beverage table to get some punch, and Scott headed in the other direction to see if the DJ would take requests.That’s when Kyle finally laid eyes on Emory.He was coming out of the small room at the back of the function hall that served as an area for food prep and storage.He was talking over his shoulder to a man who could only be the caterer, who came out behind him carrying another platter of bite-size hot appetizer-type items.“Just double check that we’re not running low on punch, and I think we’re all set food-wise for the moment.”“You aren’t running low on punch.The bowl’s still two-thirds full.” Emory pulled up short.Kyle stood directly in front of him and tried not to let lust overtake him as a hint of pink rose on Emory’s cheeks and his gorgeous, lush lips parted in surprise.Emory quickly wiped the look off his face and turned, businesslike, to the caterer still standing behind him.“No more punch for now.”The caterer nodded and kept walking with the tray of food.“I figured you’d be here soon.Did you find Scott? He’s the other chaperone on now.I didn’t figure we’d really have any problems.But, y’know.” He waved his hand dismissively in the general direction of the dance floor.“Underage teens means chaperones.”“Emory, everything looks so great.You did such a good job with this—not that I had any doubt—but just, wow, you’re amazing.”Always uncomfortable with praise, Emory wrinkled his nose and shrugged.“No biggie [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]