Free Quinn's Hart by Cassandra Gold Page A

He seized on the topic. "I'm an environmental engineer. I work for a firm in St. Louis. We do consulting, samples and testing, and remediation of polluted sites."
    Unlike some people he'd told about his job, Josh appeared very interested. "How long have you been in the field?"
    "Fourteen years. I enjoy it, even the sample taking and paperwork."
    Josh grinned. "You're a better man than I. I hate paperwork."
    Totally at ease now, Quinn chuckled. "You're in the wrong line of work, then. Don't doctors have a ton of paperwork?"
    Josh nodded. "And how. I try to pass it off to the nurses or my receptionist as often as I can, but I have to do a lot of it myself." He shrugged. "It's worth it, I suppose. I love working with kids."
    Quinn liked kids, too, but he was always a little nervous around them. They seemed so tiny and fragile. He of all people knew kids were tougher than they looked, but still.
    Before he could come up with a reply, Miguel returned to take their orders. Josh asked for a steak and a baked potato. Quinn ordered the same, with a salad.
    When Josh raised an eyebrow, he smiled. "One of us has to eat something healthy, Dr. Hart."
    Josh rolled his eyes.

    * * * *
    Their food came quickly. While they ate, they made small talk about television shows, books, and movies they liked or didn't like. Neither of them watched a lot of TV due to their busy schedules, but what they did watch was mostly different. Josh enjoyed watching baseball and true crime shows. Quinn preferred basketball and nature programs. They were both addicted to a show that took urban legends and tested them to see if they were true.
    Their reading and movie tastes were also different. Josh liked action books and movies. As he put it, "The more ridiculous they are, the better." Quinn stuck mainly to nonfiction and documentaries.
    On the surface they had almost nothing in common, other than being gay and male. What about his shy, boring, over analytical self could a guy like Josh find appealing? Unable to ask that question, he ventured, "We don't seem to have much in common."
    Josh didn't laugh or blow off his comment. Instead, he looked like he was really considering it. "Maybe on the surface. But that's not such a bad thing. The old saying 'opposites attract' exists for a reason." He paused, smiled. "I'm definitely attracted to you, in case you couldn't tell."
    Okay, that was blunt. And arousing. Quinn's heartbeat sped up. "I'm glad. I'm attracted to you, too. Very much."
    Josh's smile widened. He opened his mouth to speak, but a loud ring cut him off. He gave Quinn an apologetic look and reached into his pocket. "That's the ringtone for the work calls I had forwarded. I have to take this."
    "Of course. No problem."
    Josh stood and left the table. Quinn heard him answer the phone, and then he was too far away to hear. Quinn pushed what was left of his food around on his plate, his mind wandering. Josh was interested in him, and had come right out and said so. He wasn't used to such boldness, but he liked it. He wished he could be a bit bolder himself. Then again, he had been more at ease with Josh than he had been with anyone in a long time. He liked that, too.
    A few minutes later, Josh returned to the table, his face drawn and anxious. "I hate to do this, Quinn, but I have to cut our evening short. One of my patients is sick and his mom's terrified. I have to call her back in a few minutes to try to calm her down and figure out what she needs to do."
    Disappointment filled Quinn, but he managed a smile. "Of course you have to take care of your patients. Are you going back to your room?"
    Josh nodded.
    "Well, if you have a minute I'll charge this to my room and walk you up." Quinn waited, hopeful.
    "That'd be great." Josh's anxious frown softened into a smile.

    * * * *
    Flagging down Miguel and charging the dinner to his room took almost no time. Quinn signed the bill and stood. Josh followed suit, and they left the restaurant.
    They made their way to