Free Serving Mr. Right by Sean Michael Page B

coffee, man. No worries. Thanks for indulging me. I appreciate it."
    "It's good to see you doing so well for yourself, Finny." He meant it, too.
    "Thanks." Finn shook his hand. "Have a good one."
    He held on after they'd shaken, unable to just let go. "You too."
    It was Finn who pulled back, then patted his hand. It was time to go. Time to walk away. Nodding, Tone stood. It was harder this time than he expected, to walk away and just leave. He'd learned his lesson, though.
    He moved away and headed for the door, not looking back.

 

Chapter 2
     
    Finn locked the restaurant up and headed down the street to grab his beer and burger. It was his Friday, thank God, and he was looking forward to a couple of days of lying on his couch and watching movies. Sleeping. Jacking off. Normal lazy shit.
    He sat at the bar, nodding as Rick greeted him. "How's it going, man?"
    "Good. Good, you all right?"
    "Glad it's Friday." He winked and they both laughed. It was Saturday for most of the world and Thursday for Rick.
    Rick nodded toward the door as the bell went off. "Isn't that your, uh...friend from the other night?"
    "Who?" He looked over, surprised as fuck to see Tony. He'd been pleased that the man let him apologize, but there hadn't been anything but discomfort and the need to get away from him.
    Tony caught his gaze and nodded, then headed over. "Hey. I thought I should try one of these gourmet burgers."
    "They're amazing. Addictive, I have to warn you."
    Tony chuckled and pulled up a stool next to his. "I'll risk it."
    Finn had to admit, the man was looking good. As cut as ever, age had honed the square jaw, given it character that was echoed by the short hair. Tony had always been stunning, so strong, so firm. He'd hated that, then.
    "What can I get you?" Rick asked.
    "One of your magical burgers and whatever dark ale you've got on tap."
    "Yes, sir."
    Finn found himself staring at the bar top, waiting for his beer, so unsure of what to say.
    "You have a good day?" Tony asked.
    "It's my Friday and service went well, so yeah. I... How are you?"
    "Your Friday, you say? That means the restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday."
    "Yeah. I found out that I really need some time out of the kitchen, some time to breathe." It had taken burnout for it to really hit him, but it had.
    Tony actually smiled at that.
    Their beers came at the same time, and Finn took a drink. "Would you like to sit at a table? Together?"
    "I would, Finn." Tony's smile was warmer now.
    "Rick? We'll be at table ten."
    Tony followed him over and pulled his chair out for him.
    "Thank you." He sat, sipped his beer. "I have to admit, I'm surprised to see you."
    "Yeah?"
    "Yeah. The other day felt a lot like goodbye."
    "Yeah, it did, didn't it? Of course, seeing you at all was a surprise."
    Finn nodded. "You weren't at the restaurant under your own name."
    "No, I was given the reservation by a client."
    "Ah. That was a generous gift. Our waiting list is at eleven months right now." And he was damned proud of that, too. He'd worked his ass off, making the restaurant the perfect balance of taste, exclusivity, and joy.
    Tony chuckled. "That's amazing. And he couldn't go. Something about his partner cheating on him."
    "Oh, that sucks. I'm sorry to hear that." He got it. His last two relationships had ended in infidelity. Apparently gay men weren't supposed to be monogamous.
    "Yeah, he's a nice guy, so it was a shame." Tony took a drink. "Worked out well for me, though."
    "Did it?" He hadn't been so sure of that.
    "Yeah. I had the best meal of my life."
    Finn felt his cheeks heat, the words pleasing him, bone deep.
    "And I got something I never dreamed I would. Ever."
    "What's that?" What food did he make that Tony had loved?
    "An apology from you."
    Oh. He ducked his head, then picked his chin up. "You deserved it." He'd been insufferable and busy and young.
    "I did. And I went home and realized that you'd changed in some important ways."
    "It's been ten years. I hope I