Slow Dreaming (3 page)

“Here,” Jason said softly. “Not some other country like I told you, but here.”

“Here?” Sean’s eyebrow rose. He couldn’t help but glance out over the ocean again. “But you just said you never thought you’d see it. You can’t live around here and claim to never have seen the sea; we’re surrounded by it.” He shrugged. “Ruth’s lived here since the sixties. She says this beach looks much the same now as it always has; it’s just Petone itself that’s changed. It used to be all secondhand shops, now it’s cafes and the like.”

“I guess a kid’s memory of a place is different from the reality of it, and it wasn’t quite what I expected.” Jason’s eyes clouded over. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I’m not very good at explaining myself, am I?”

“I thought you were a travel writer,” Sean teased, regretting the words when Jason bit his lip and turned away.

“Yeah, well, I never said I was a good one,” he murmured.

“Your magazine wouldn’t have sent you here if you weren’t,” Sean reminded him. He followed Jason’s gaze, his attention taken by the small dots of traffic making their way over the Wainui hill. “Walk with me a bit?” He checked his watch. It was his turn to cook tonight, and he’d promised Leilani he’d make chili. “I have another twenty minutes before I need to be home. I’d like some company until then if that’s okay with you.”

“Okay. I’d like that.” Jason nodded, redirecting his attention to the beach. His expression brightened in a very obvious change of subject. “Could we have a go at skimming shells across the water? I’ve always wanted to do that.”

T
HE
next morning found Jason on the foreshore once more. It was warmer than the day before, and he took off his jumper, knotting the sleeves around his waist as he crouched down on the damp sand, skimming round shells across the waves.

The ocean was calmer, the sun glistening off it in different shades of green. A small raft bobbed a short way out from shore, anchored there to provide swimmers with somewhere to rest or sunbathe once summer came.

He smiled, remembering the previous day, his fingers curling around the mobile phone in his pocket. He’d bought it so he could trade numbers with Sean, surprised when it was his new friend who had suggested it.

So much of the area had changed, would change, during the next two hundred years, some of it down to nature, some not. Sean hadn’t asked any more questions Jason couldn’t answer, for which he was thankful. Lying didn’t come naturally to him, but unfortunately, telling the complete truth was not something that could be allowed to happen, at least not yet.

Jason shrugged. It was doubtful Sean would believe him, anyway. There was no point in ruining the short time they had left.

He picked up a flat stone, skimming it along the same path as the shells. One, two, three jumps and it sank, ripples spreading outward as it disappeared from view.

Fuck this. It was so unfair. Sean, from what Jason could tell, was a good man: intelligent, talented, and damn good-looking. He should have a bright future ahead of him, with someone who cared about him.

Don’t fall for him, it won’t work. It can’t. That’s what makes it safe.

The words whispered to him, a warning he answered with a shrug. He wasn’t planning to do that, just spend some time with the guy. Closure was important. He’d seen friends lost and adrift, wondering if there was something they could have done, regretting their indecision to act. That path wasn’t for him. Better a few days of good memories and friendship than this bloody observing-from-a-distance crap.

He glanced at his watch and straightened. Sean would be finishing his shift at the cafe soon. They’d arranged to meet for lunch, some Indian place nearby that Sean insisted Jason needed to try. He treated himself to a meal out once a week, lunch being cheaper than dinner. Besides, if they ate somewhere away from the cafe it would keep Sean’s coworkers from asking Jason too many questions.

The moment he walked through the cafe door, he knew their plan was going to turn out to be less than brilliant. The cafe was packed, and Sean was behind the counter alone, working through what seemed to be a pile of orders. He looked up when Jason entered and mouthed the word “sorry.” Of Ruth, there was no sign.

“Need some help?”

“Yeah, could you?” Sean’s relief was obvious. “I’d owe you one. Ruth got a call from school, one of her kids is sick, and Lisa hasn’t shown up.” He threw Jason a spare apron and nodded toward the kitchen. “I can handle this if you’d like to deal with the dishes. I’ll make it up to you, promise. Do you know how to work one of those dishwashers?”

“Yeah.” How hard could it be? “Don’t worry, I’ll figure it out, then I’ll clear some tables.” He wasn’t about to inflict his less than stellar coffee and tea-making skills on paying customers, but this was something he could do.

The next hour went by quickly, once he figured out how the dishwasher worked. He was clearing his third table when a petite blonde girl entered the cafe. She was breathing hard, as though she’d been running. “Sean, oh my God, I’m so sorry. My car broke down, and I missed the bus. I tried to let Ruth know, but all I got was her voice mail.”

“No worries, we’ve got it all under control.” Sean flashed Jason a grin, and to his embarrassment, he found himself blushing in response. “Jason, this is Lisa. Lisa, Jason.” Sean wiped his hands and pushed his glasses up his nose.

“Oh.
The
Jason.” Lisa looked Jason up and down. “I approve, Sean. And he does dishes and clears tables, I see. I hope you’re planning to keep him.”

This time it was Sean’s turn to blush. He mumbled something under his breath that Jason didn’t catch. The cafe was quieter now, the lunch crowd having moved on apart from one or two stragglers. Jason continued wiping down tables after giving Lisa a brief nod of acknowledgment. For once in his life, he couldn’t think of the appropriate response to what someone had said.

A short time later, Ruth bustled in, somewhat flustered. “Sorry about that.” She glanced around the cafe, relieved. “All under control, I see.”

Jason undid his apron. Now that Ruth was back, he wouldn’t be needed anymore. He’d wait for Sean at their table and slip out with him once he was done.

“Thanks to Jason,” Lisa said a little more loudly than necessary. Jason froze in his tracks, all hopes of sneaking the apron back to its rightful place gone, as he was suddenly the center of attention. “He stepped in when I was late and then stayed to help out some more.”

Ruth’s eyebrow rose. She was a middle-aged woman, well built, with laughter lines around her eyes; her thick hair hung down her back in a long red plait. “I’m impressed. Thank you, Jason. I’ll make sure you’re paid for your time, of course.”

“No need.” Jason didn’t want to have to explain that one to James, or the fact his cover probably wouldn’t stand the type of scrutiny that an IRD number required and the like. Long-term assignments did, but this wasn’t meant to be that, not by a long shot. “I was just helping out a friend, that’s all.”

“Lunch on the house next time you’re in, then.” Ruth didn’t look as though she was prepared to take no for an answer. “Okay?”

Sean stepped in and neatly diverted the conversation. “How’s William?”

“Poor baby has a sore throat, so I’m keeping him home for a few days.” Ruth took off her coat and hung it up. “I’m still waiting on a doctor’s appointment. Sean, would you be able to come in early tomorrow if you’re needed?”

“Sure, no problem.” Sean arched his shoulders, a half stretch to get the kinks out. “Text me if you want. I usually keep the phone by the bed, anyway.”

It took a nudge from Lisa before Jason realized that Sean was still talking. “Hmm?” The visual of Sean stretching like that, and in bed, had distracted him somewhat. What he wouldn’t give to see that, or better yet, be there and give him a well-deserved massage. How Sean couldn’t believe he was hot was beyond Jason. One look at his eyes when he’d taken off his glasses had been enough to hook Jason in completely. God, he was so in lust with the guy.

Fuck. It looked like he’d be taking a few cold showers before this assignment was over.

“Sean asked you if you wanted a coffee before the two of you left,” Lisa repeated helpfully, not keeping the amusement out of her voice. “Although it does seem as though your mind might be on wanting a little of something else.”

“Lisa!” Sean stared at her. “See,” he told Jason, “this is why I suggested Indian for lunch.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, sweetness.” Lisa blinked, her expression the picture of innocence.

Ruth turned her back on them, but not before Jason noticed the grin on her face. Her sudden coughing fit sounded more like laughter to him. “Are you okay, Ruth? I hope you’re not getting whatever it is that William has,” he said, deadpan.

“Sit down and drink your coffee,” she said, shaking her head when Sean went to make it. “That means both of you. If we’ve had the crowds we usually do, you guys have been on your feet for the best part of two hours. Sit, talk, and recharge first, okay?”

“Okay.” Jason didn’t recall saying yes to the coffee, but he wasn’t about to turn down the offer. “Is she always like this?” he asked Sean after they’d made themselves comfortable at the table they’d shared the day before.

“No, sometimes she’s way worse.” Sean grinned. He put down his cup and leaned over, placing his hand over Jason’s. “Hey, thanks for helping. Not many guys I know would have done that. It says a lot about you.”

“I’m thinking that you haven’t met the right kind of guys, then.” Jason shrugged, not ready to accept the compliment, yet inordinately pleased with Sean’s reaction. “And before you go down that road, I didn’t do it just to make an impression. I was brought up to do this kind of stuff. If someone needs help, you give it.” That was one of the few things he remembered about his father, that and walking along what was left of the beach together. God, he missed him.

Sean smiled, a genuine one that reflected in his eyes. He squeezed Jason’s hand. “Do you still want to listen to that song I’m working on?”

“Yeah, I’d love to,” Jason started to say, but he was interrupted by the flash of a camera. He looked up to see Lisa pocketing her mobile.

“Sean, you left your jacket in the kitchen.” Lisa helped herself to the chair next to Jason’s. “You can grab Jason’s jumper while you’re at it. I noticed it there too.”

“We’ll get them when we’re ready.” Sean glared at her, obviously not impressed with the interruption or the way in which she was organizing him.

Lisa sighed. “I’d like a word with Jason, Sean. That was supposed to be a less than subtle hint.” She smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll be nice, and I won’t steal the rest of your coffee. You can finish it when you get back.”

“Jason?” Sean looked dubious, glancing from one to the other, but he was already pushing his chair back, ready to move. Did Lisa do this to all the men in which Sean showed an interest? It was a weird setup here; both Ruth and Lisa acted more like family, and a protective one at that. They reminded him of Alisha. She’d wanted to rip Rex’s balls out and shove them up his arse after that relationship had gone sour.

“It’s fine. I’ll still be here when you get back. I want to hear that song of yours.” He waited until Sean was out of earshot before continuing. “If you’re trying to warn me off him, you’re wasting your time. I don’t mean him any harm, and all we are is friends. We haven’t known each other that long.” That was all they could be; they didn’t have the luxury of time needed to build a relationship.

“Uh-huh.” Lisa pulled out her phone, pushed a couple of buttons, and shoved it at Jason. “You might be just friends, but look at this, Jason, at the way Sean’s looking at you.” Her expression softened. “I wouldn’t be showing you this, but I’ve seen the way you look at him too. Friends still hurt friends, even if they haven’t known each other that long.”

Jason shrugged. He put the phone down on the table without looking at it. “I know that, Lisa, and I appreciate the fact you’re looking out for him, but I really wouldn’t worry about it. Sean’s safe with me.” Who was he trying to kid? He couldn’t stop what was going to happen, no one could. This particular future was already written. The currents of time could not be interfered with or changed. No one joined the Institute without taking an oath to that effect.

“He better be.” Lisa stood and held her hand out for her phone. “His flatmate, Leilani, is a nurse and knows exactly how and what to do the most damage to you, if you catch my drift. Sean’s a good guy, and he’s been hurt by too many arseholes in the past. The next one better not be you.”

“It won’t be,” Jason promised, wondering what he’d done to deserve this kind of third degree from some girl he’d only just met. Whatever those particular arseholes had done to Sean, they deserved everything coming to them and more. He picked up the phone, intending to glance at whatever was on it before handing it back.

Oh God.

He froze, staring at it. It was a photo of Sean, not just any photo but the exact likeness of the one Jason carried in his wallet.

No secrets. I want you to know me.

He wanted that too, he wanted it so much. For the person Sean was looking at, the recipient of that smile, was Jason himself.

J
ASON
was quiet, distracted after they left the cafe. Sean moved closer, slipping his hand into Jason’s. The action was instinctive; he didn’t think about it until he realized what he’d done. Jason smiled, using his thumb to caress Sean’s hand. His skin was smooth and warm, his touch very tender, as though he was using it to say the words he didn’t want to speak.

There was music in his touch. The phrase came unbidden into his mind. Sean smiled. There was more than one way in which to communicate; it was one of the reasons why he was drawn to his music. With it he could bare his soul and share his emotions but still be safe in doing so.

When they reached the restaurant, Jason had perked up a little, but he kept glancing at Sean as though he was seeing something or someone else. It was unnerving. “Can we get this as a takeaway?” he asked. “I’d really like to hear your music, and it’s later than we planned.”