Something Like Spring (44 page)

“No,” Tim interrupted, crossing his arms over his chest.

“He’s not Ryan,” Ben said patiently.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jason asked, looking back and forth between them. “What’s he got to do with anything?”

“Marcello is having a party,” Ben said.

Tim sighed. “I love Marcello, I really do, but some of the people he associates with are trash. I don’t want you getting exposed to that sort of element.”

“That’s when things turned sour with Ryan,” Ben explained. “He and Tim were happy together, but then Ryan started running with a bad crowd—”

“Doing drugs,” Tim said with a huff, “screwing around, stealing, partying and letting the rest of his life go to shit. I won’t let you do that to yourself.”

“Thanks for your concern,” Jason said, holding back a smile, “but I’m only interested in spending time alone with the guy I lo— with the guy I really
really
like.”

Ben looked amused. “So if someone comes up to you with a big fat blunt and USB stick full of hippie music, what are you going to say?”

“No,” Jason said solemnly. “I’ll say no.”

“There,” Ben said, looking at Tim. “He passed the test.”

“You guys think you’re so funny,” Tim said, pulling out his cell phone, “but this is one genie you can’t shove back in the bottle. Mostly because he’s too damn fat.”

“How’s a party going to help me, anyway?” Jason asked. “Kelly will just tag along like he always does.”

“How do you feel about being a topless waiter?” Tim asked. “And getting ogled by lots of old men.”

“Huh?”

Ben rolled his eyes. “Marcello likes to staff his parties with handsome young men. It sounds horrible, but this one is a fundraiser, so it’s for a good cause. You and William can work as waiters, allowing you to slip away for some private time.”

“I appreciate the idea,” Jason said, “but I need more than just ten minutes alone with him.”

“That’s the brilliant part,” Ben said. “This charity supports the sick and shut-in. During one portion of the party, the waiters are all sent away while everyone else is locked in a room for the actual fundraising.”

“That sounds crazy,” Jason said.

“It’s to show people how it feels to be shut away without resources,” Tim said. “And it only lasts half an hour, so it’s worthless, really.”

“Except,” Ben said, “I’m sure Marcello would be willing to extend the time if we asked. I bet we could get an hour out of him.”

“An hour?” Jason said, practically salivating at the prospect. “Sign me up!”

Ben nudged Tim. “Sign him up.”

“Okay,” Tim said, pushing a button on his cell phone. “Mark my words, getting Marcello involved in your love life is a terrible idea. You’re all going to regret this.”

* * * * *

“I should have seen this coming,” Tim said, shaking his head. He was topless except for a metallic blue bow tie. Balanced in one hand was a tray full of champagne glasses. Even when he turned around to glare accusingly at Jason, the liquid in the glasses barely moved.

“You’ve done this before, huh?” Jason asked.

“Yes, I have!” Tim said. “And I swore years ago that I never would again.”

“Thanks,” William said. “We really appreciate it. You have no idea how special having time alone is to us.”

“I can imagine.” Tim’s features softened as he looked them over. “Enjoy it. You guys make a cute couple.”

Jason felt selfconscious as hell. Like Tim, he and William were wearing black slacks, uncomfortable polished shoes, and nothing above the waist except for their black bow ties. He had no idea where Tim had gotten the cool blue tie. Maybe from a previous party like this. Marcello was more than willing to help their crazy plan become a reality, but he required Tim to play waiter too, claiming that donations would skyrocket as a result. Seeing Tim’s bare torso, Jason could understand why. The guy was absolutely cut, and even had a sexy scar running up one arm to his shoulder, a splash of pink against his naturally brown skin. Attractive as Tim was, Jason’s attention kept returning to William, who looked like a Boy Scout trying his luck as a Chippendales dancer. Their impressive physiques made Jason feel insecure about his own body, especially since the other waiters were in good shape too. Soon Jason had other things to worry about, like making sure all the guests had stuffed mushrooms crammed in their mouths.

Marcello’s home was palatial, and was perhaps just one hedge maze and swan-filled lake away from
being
an actual palace. Tonight’s event took place in a ballroom on the first floor. On stage was a small orchestra that—oddly enough—played pop music for the delight of the guests, a female singer occasionally taking the microphone and crooning out lyrics, lending an edge of class, even when singing about being hungry like a wolf.

And the guests certainly seemed to be. After a mere five minutes, Jason darted back into the kitchen for more food. On his way back, he saw William standing next to where Kelly sat, smiling and chatting with him as a good boyfriend should. All part of the plan. Jason did his best to ignore them, focusing on the guests instead. Most were older gentlemen, wearing custom-tailored suits. They were often accompanied by younger guys who dressed more casually, although some of the older men walked the party, arm in arm. Jason envied them, hoping that he would one day be doing the same.

As the party went on, the younger guys convened, leaving their dates alone. This meant the older men became chatty. Jason had to keep excusing himself so he could continue serving
hors d’oeuvres
. Eventually Tim came up to him, a sea of heads turning to follow his progress.

“Less food, more talking,” he whispered.

Jason scrunched his face up in confusion.

“These guys are more interested in talking to you than in eating,” Tim explained. “That’s why you’re here. You don’t have to give them lap dances or anything. Just smile and humor them.”

“They want to talk to me?” Jason asked.

Now it was Tim’s turn to appear puzzled. “You’re a good-looking guy. You know that, right?”

Jason felt himself blushing. He looked away to find an older man checking them both out, smiling when he caught Jason’s eye.

“See?” Tim said. “Just remember, it’s for a good cause. And if any of them try to touch you, point me out and tell them I’ll break their necks.”

“Okay,” Jason said, laughing nervously.

He started focusing on socializing more, taking the time to answer probing questions and feeling less and less taken aback each time someone laughed or seemed genuinely interested in what he had to say. By the end of another hour, his self-esteem was so inflated he worried he might float up to the ceiling. He didn’t know why Tim complained about doing this. Maybe he didn’t need the ego boost, but Jason would gladly volunteer again.

He was practically dancing across the room to fetch more food when someone placed a hand on his arm to stop him.

“The champagne is running a little dry. Better get another tray from the kitchen.”

Jason looked up, because the guy who was speaking was tall. And huge and familiar in a way that made Jason feel like he was sixteen and insignificant again. For the first few seconds, he didn’t understand why. But then a name came to his lips that he barely managed to keep himself from saying.

Nathaniel.

Caesar’s one true love. Jason just stared at him, waiting for the recognition to be mirrored, but instead Nathaniel merely raised an eyebrow.

“Did you hear me? We need more champagne. Marcello will be asking for money in half an hour, and we want everyone to be feeling generous.”

“I’m not old enough to serve alcohol,” Jason stammered.

“Oh!” Nathaniel said. “Sorry. In that case just head to the kitchen and let them know. Tell any waiters on your way too, all right?”

“No problem.”

Jason walked stiff-legged back to the kitchen, not daring to turn around until he was at the door. Had he been mistaken? But no, when he searched the crowd, he quickly found Nathaniel, smiling as he talked to a guest but also keeping an eye on the proceedings. What was he doing here? Jason glanced around, expecting to see Caesar walking through the crowd to join him. Jason had made enough rounds that surely he would have spotted him by now. Then again, Nathaniel had been here all along, even if it took a moment for Jason to recognize him. He felt relieved that their reunion had been one-sided. The one time they met, Jason had spent longer watching Nathaniel from between shelves of books than their brief encounter had lasted. His hair had hidden his eyes back then too, so chances were, Nathaniel wouldn’t recognize him unless Jason made a point of explaining who he was. Which he wouldn’t.

“Half an hour until the shut-in,” Marcello said from beside him. Jason jumped, making Marcello chuckle. “Feeling nervous? It’s not your first time, is it?”

“No,” Jason said, eyes returning to the crowd and one person in particular.

Marcello followed his gaze. “Don’t tell me you’re interested in someone new already?”

“No!” Jason said. “He just looks familiar. What’s he doing here?”

“Nathaniel? He manages most of my projects. Very efficient. Very willful. Do you know him?”

“No,” Jason said, pulling his attention away. “He said we need more champagne.”

“The world always needs more champagne,” Marcello said, hands on his tummy. “Don’t worry. I already gave the order. Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Yes,” Jason admitted. “Thanks for doing all this for me. I mean, I know it’s not
all
for me, but I’m sorry my crazy relationship is messing with your plans.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Marcello replied. “The only thing love needs to apologize for is being too difficult to understand and too easy to give in to.”

“So true,” Jason said with faux weariness.

“You still have my little map?” Marcello asked.

“Of course,” Jason said, patting a pocket.

“Excellent. Be prepared to make good use of it soon. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have my own affairs to attend to.”

Marcello nodded cordially, a naughty smile on his face, before he slipped gracefully into the crowd. Jason fetched another tray of food, passing it out and resisting conversation again. Was Nathaniel being here a sign? Should he read into it? The situations were uncomfortably similar, but it wasn’t too late. Not entirely. If he backed away now, maybe William and Kelly would be okay. He glanced over to where Kelly was sitting. William was crouched next to him, a miserable expression on his face as Kelly gave him an earful about something. Then again, they hadn’t been okay before Jason came along. That was the difference. Caesar had loved Nathaniel, probably still did. William didn’t love Kelly. Not anymore.

“Your attention please,” Marcello said from on stage. “As you all know, the intent of this little soiree tonight is to benefit those who are unable to leave their homes, be it due to illness or other unfortunate circumstances. In order to understand how that feels, let’s all bravely go an hour without food, drink, or charming company. I’m going to ask all my waiting staff to kindly leave the room. As they go, please place any remaining beverages on their trays.”

Jason started making his way to the door, heart pounding. He forbade himself to look around for William, concentrating on not dropping the glasses piling up on his tray.

“Never fear!” Marcello continued. “One handsome face will remain, besides mine of course. The rather dashing fire marshal here will oversee our safety during the shut-in, and despite his good looks and charming outfit, I assure you he isn’t a stripper. Now then, as the doors close—”

The rest of the speech was lost to Jason, since the kitchen was a rumble of noise. Already a group of waiters were sparking up a joint. One was draining glasses of the remaining champagne, while others looked on with abhorrence.

“That’s one way of doing the dishes,” William said in his ear.

Jason turned and nearly kissed him. Instead he pulled out the handwritten map.

“Where are we going?” William asked.

Jason followed the dotted line to an X and a description of the room. “To a love nest,” he said with a grimace.

“Let’s hurry,” William said. “I want the entire hour alone with you.”

Originally Marcello providing them with a map seemed silly, but Jason now realized more than ever that this wasn’t a normal home. A staircase didn’t lead up to simple a hallway and additional rooms. Instead the house had multiple staircases, multiple floors, and offered nothing straightforward at all. They entered a sitting room, leaving again through a door on the opposite side, and might as well have been in an additional house. They ducked through an open courtyard in a similar fashion. Finally, they entered a bathroom, and after a ninety-degree turn, discovered a bedroom.

“The love nest,” Jason said with some reverence because it really was a magical place. The wallpaper was deep burgundy, incorporating an ornate pattern in gold leaf that reflected the light of candles placed randomly around the floor. There was little risk of a fire hazard, since the floor appeared to be dark marble. Striking, but not good for bare feet, which is why a lush carpet sat beneath a massive bed, a canopy of maroon fabric obscuring it from view.

“Think this champagne is for us?” William asked, fingers tracing the condensation on a bottle sitting in an ice bucket on an oak dresser.

Jason didn’t answer. Instead he rushed to lock the bathroom door, then the bedroom door. Even if Kelly managed to navigate the maze of the house, he’d have to go through two doors to reach them. Marcello had chosen this location well. Jason wondered if he had lit the candles himself, or if that task had been delegated to his staff, maybe even Nathaniel. How ironic that would be!

“An hour,” William said. “All for us.”

Jason swallowed, feeling pressured to make the most of it, which made him unsure how he wanted to spend a single minute. “What do you want to do?”

William grabbed hold of him, wrapped his arms tight around Jason, and held him. They stood like that for a few silent minutes. Jason understood completely. He returned William’s squeeze, reveling in simply being able to hug him without fear of being caught. Such a simple gesture, and yet one normally denied to them.