Another man, almost as tall and every bit as good looking as Dave, follows him outside.
Wait. I know him. He’s the one from the dog show, the guy with the Sheltie.
The man takes Dave into his arms. His hand slides to the nape of Dave’s neck, and he pulls him in for a passionate kiss.
My cheeks heat as the pieces fall into place. I take two giant steps around the corner from whence I came. Leaning against the fence, I slap my palm over my mouth.
Oh. My. Gosh. Is he cheating on that guy? Or me?
No. Not me; he and I never even kissed. Or said we were exclusive, for that matter.
I let out the breath.
Okay. Let it go. If he calls, I’ll just tell him—
“Ronnie, is that you?”
I close my eyes and let a puff of air out from between pursed lips.
I turn and try to smile. “Hey, Dave. I was dropping in to see you.”
He rubs the back of his neck, looking up from under his thick lashes. “Benji thought he saw someone come around the corner. I guess you saw him too, huh?”
My gaze flits from plant to plant. “Yeah. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
His shoulders droop. “Damn. I guess the cat’s out of that bag.”
“Well, I’m not sure why you were going out with me, but don’t worry, I’m not going to make trouble.” I step through the gate.
Dave catches the gate as it swings closed. “Wait. What are you going to tell Jackson?”
Oh, God. Does he know about me and Jack?
My face flames as I turn to him. “About Jack—”
“Tell him he doesn’t have to pay me the rest of the money. And if I need to, I can refund what he’s already paid.”
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
Dave comes through the gate. “Well, I didn’t finish the job, so—he doesn’t have to pay me.”
All the coherent thoughts in my brain jumble together like clumps of sticky oatmeal. I tap my lip, trying to form a real word.
“What job, exactly?”
Now it’s Dave who looks embarrassed.
“His show hired me.—to go out with you.”
“He hired you?” My voice cracks.
“Yeah, to date you. It was an acting gig.” Dave shuffles his feet, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
My nails bite into my palms. “So, you’re an actor, hired by Jackson Tremaine’s show to date me?”
Dave shrugs and gives a tremulous smile. “Yeah. Pretty much. He was going to have me on the show sometime around Valentine’s when the stunt reveal was supposed to happen.”
“Stunt? Reveal?”
“Yeah. He told me you were a love expert and wrote some book, and your friend is the cheater expert who helps women figure out if their guy will be unfaithful. It’s a gag.”
I swallow twice, but the bile at the back of my throat won’t go down. I hold up one finger to Dave and rush to the nearest potted plant. After the contents of today’s lunch comes up, I swipe my wrist across my mouth.
Benji pushes the gate open. “Everything all right out here?”
Dave waves to his lover. Partner. Husband. Whatever they are. “Can you get Ronnie a bottle of water, Babe?”
Dave hooks his hand through my arm and ushers me inside. “Ronnie Fitz, this is my partner, Benjamin Banks. Come on, we’ll talk.”
At the table in their little break room, I take another swig from the bottle. “Jack knew all along that there was no way I could win the bet?”
That sneaky son of a bitch.
Dave nods. “The other girl couldn’t win either. Women aren’t my thing. Sorry.”
I scratch my forehead. “But I don’t get it. I know a lot of gay men. You’re so…so—sorry, I don’t mean to be offensive, but you’re so not gay-like. I’ve got to give it to you. You’re one hell of an actor. Even now you haven’t dropped out of character.”
“Oh, he’s very masc.” Benji laughs and winks as he stands behind Dave, massaging his shoulders. “Not much acting going on at all.”
“Masc?” I ask, still trying to wrap my head around this whole thing.
With another shrug, Dave says, “Masculine.”
Benji’s smile fades as he plops into the chair between Dave and me. “This is terrible timing.”
“Don’t worry, Babe. We’ll figure things out.” Dave lays his hand on Benji’s forearm.
“Figure what out?” I ask.
Benji sighs. “The money from this acting gig was earmarked to pay the mortgage for March. The weather’s been crazy this year, and a lot of people haven’t started their prepping for the spring and summer. So things around here have gotten pretty tight.”
An idea storms through my mind.