Chapter 6
R yder put on one of his good shirts, his best jeans, and his good boots. He had a gray Western jacket that matched his hat, and his buckle from when he won Austin.
He was looking good .
He wasn’t sure exactly what “dinner at the penthouse” meant, but it sounded swanky.
All he had to do was smile and look pretty. No arguing. No opinions. No nonsense. Hold Mister Charlie’s chair out for him.
Be a gentleman.
“Ryder, can you give me a hand here?” Charles came down the hall in a navy suit and a blue and yellow tie, fussing with a cufflink. “I haven’t worn these in forever, and now I recall why. They’re a bear to get on by myself.”
“Of course. Hold up.” He sat his hat down, brim up, and set himself to helping. “You look lovely.”
Charles held an arm out, then froze, eyes looking him up and down. “Ryder, you look incredible. That jacket is perfect on you. So well-tailored too.”
Oh, that was nice to hear. “Thank you, sir. It’s my favorite.”
“I can certainly see why. You’re going to turn heads at dinner, I hope you won’t mind the attention.”
“I’ll be sweet as Tupelo honey, sir, you got my word.” He fastened the first cuff, then went for the second.
“Ah, thank you. I can’t tell you how long I was fumbling with these before I remembered I have you to ask.” Charles smiled at him. “It’s been a while since I dressed for dinner. Meetings, sure, but a night out? I can hardly remember the last time.”
“So is there anything I need to know? I mean beyond the no religion, no politics, no sex talk part.”
“Actually, those are all fair game. Money is a good subject to avoid with this group, the stock market, and possibly family.”
He knew a lot about stock—stock tanks, livestock, stock farmers… “I doubt that’s going to be a problem.”
Charles chuckled. “I’m not a stock market man either. I have a guy who does that for me. We’re going to do just fine together.”
“Yes, sir.” He winked at Charles. “All good to go.”
In fact, Charles was quite handsome. More than good to go.
Charles fussed with his tie, resettled his jacket on his shoulder, and leaned over and swiped at his dress shoes. “Well, I suppose I have no excuse to procrastinate any longer.”
“It’ll go fast.” He wasn’t sure why Charles was dreading this, but it would go quick.
“I’m sure it’ll be a lovely evening; it just feels foreign to me now. I haven’t been social like this for a few years.” Charles offered him an arm. “Shall we try it out?”
“Yes, sir. I am at your disposal.” He took Mister Charlie’s arm. “Let’s do this thing.”
“To the car, then.”
The ride didn’t take very long. They stopped outside a tall, shiny building with lots of windows no one could see into and a lobby full of marble and elevators.
“Car six I think he said.”
“Pardon me?” What car? Did they need to go back outside?
“Car six goes to the penthouse.” Charles looked at him, then grinned. “Oh. Fancy word for an elevator. Only used in fancy buildings.”
“Ah. Good to know. I was fixin’ to walk you back outside.” Lord have mercy. Elevator car sounded weirdly familiar—maybe from his granny? His pappy?
“My apologies. Victor calls it a car, so I did the same.” Charles was smiling now, though, and seemed more relaxed.
The car went up and up, finally stopping just before his ears popped. The doors opened into a bright foyer, and they were approached by men in black tailcoats and bow ties. One of them held out a white-gloved hand, palm up toward him. “May I take your hat, sir?”
“That’s all right. I’ll keep ahold of it, if you don’t mind.” He didn’t imagine these folks knew it, but this hat cost twice what he paid for his iPhone.
Charles nodded to him in approval and offered his arm again. “It’s more than just a hat,” he told the man and the butler stepped back again, gesturing for them to move inside.
“Yessir. It’s my hat.” He appreciated Mister Charlie’s understanding. He knew not everyone did. He squeezed Charles’s arm. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure. Purely selfish motives, I’m afraid. It looks so good on you.” Charles gave him a playful wink.
“Charles!” A tall, blond man in a light gray suit hurried over. “I was so happy to hear that you’d accepted my invitation. What a wonderful surprise.”
“Victor. I may have surprised myself too, but it’s time. Past it.” They shook hands, and Charles gestured to him. “Victor Weber, this is Ryder Vales.”
Victor gave Charles a quick smile, then looked Ryder in the eye. “A pleasure. Welcome to my home.”
“Pleasure is all mine, sir. Thank you.” He knew all about how to be polite, and these folks were obviously tickled that Charles had come out of mourning.
“Come in. Say hello and have a drink.” Victor led them toward a small bar, but it took ages to actually get there. They were greeted along the way by everyone they passed. He had no hope of remembering all the names.
That wasn’t really his job, he supposed. He was meant to nod, smile, and take care of Charles. The rest was just details.
“Charles! Is that really you?”
Charles turned at the sound of the big voice and laughed. “River!”
“It’s so good to see your face!” The big man hugged Charles tight, almost picking him up off the ground.
“Thank you. I’m sure it would be lovely to see yours but you’re squeezing me too tight.” Charles was smiling as River let him go.
“You look spectacular. I hope you got my note.”
“Yes, thank you. I appreciate the kind things you said about Tad.”
“He has been and will be missed, but I’m happy to see you out and about again.”
“Thank you. River, this is Ryder.”
River’s eyebrow went up. “Ryder. Good to meet you. You look familiar for some reason.”
A guy popped up next to River’s arm like a jack-in-the-box. “Probably the hat. We all look the same in them, you know. I’m Kacey.”
River snorted, eyes rolling fondly.
Oh, this man was something else, he could tell. He held out one hand. “Pleased.”
River shook his hand and smiled at him. “Welcome to New York. It’s not for everyone, but you’re in good hands.”
“Thank you, sir.” He had no idea what River meant, but smiling and nodding was the rule of the night.
“What are you drinking, Ryder? Vic literally has everything.” Kacey elbowed him.
He glanced at Mister Charlie. He didn’t know if that was cool or not, to have a beer. He was technically on the clock…
Charles gave him a nod. “Kacey isn’t exaggerating. Have whatever you can dream up. I’ll have a gin and tonic, please.”
He let Kacey lead him to the bar, but he knew River and Charles were talking about him as soon as they stepped away. River glanced at him more than once, and with interest.
He wasn’t going to gossip, but he didn’t want to seem mean, either, so he let Kacey lead the conversation. He could nurse a beer all evening long.
“It’s nice to see Charles out with someone. He’s a good man. Did you meet in the city or out at the lake?”
“At the lake.” I’m the hired pretty. Like a personal assistant slash companion.
“Well, I hope it works out. He took very good care of Tad, from what I hear. I didn’t know the guy though. You want a beer?”
“Please.” Mister Charlie rarely spoke about his husband, but what he’d gathered, the man had been ill for a long time.
Kacey asked for two beers, the gin and tonic for Charlie and a rum and Coke, he had to assume was for River. “I think I remember that Charles likes extra lime,” Kacey suggested with a wink. “In case you want brownie points.”
“I don’t think that’s an option, but if it makes him happy, then I’ll bring more limes.”
“Brownie points aren’t an option?” Kacey chuckled. “Bummer.”
He winked, chuckling softly. That wasn’t in the job description. “I’m so abused.”
Kacey grinned and handed over Charles’s drink and his beer. “Yeah. I can see you have it rough. There’s a secret back elevator if you need to escape. I’ll cover you.”
“I think I’ll risk it, but thanks.” He liked this guy. He had a sense of humor. “And thank you for the drinks.”
“Hey, the arm candy has to stick together.” Kacey led the way back to Charles and River.
“Ah, look who’s back. Oh, and extra lime. Thank you, Ryder.” Charles took his drink and sipped it right away.
“Yes, sir. You’re welcome.” He took a tiny sip of his beer. “You holler if you want another.”
“I will do that.” Charles smiled at him.
“Charles, it was good talking with you. Let’s catch up again. I’ll call you.”
“I would like that.”
“Welcome back.”
“Thank you very much.” Charles nodded to River, and Kacey gave him a little finger wave and a grin as they moved off farther into the penthouse.
Charles touched his shoulder. “This is a good drink. I haven’t had one in a while. How is your beer?”
He felt that touch deep in his bones, somehow. Weird. “Nice and hoppy, thank you.”
Charles offered an arm again. “Care to wander a little? Victor has an amazing home.”
“I’d love that, thank you. Are you friends? Colleagues?” He took Mister Charlie’s arm and stepped close.
“Victor and I served on a board together a few years ago. We travel in the same circles now. We’re both investors.”
“That’s cool. Everyone here is obviously glad to see you.”
Charles smiled but there was something a little sad about it. “It’s a little surprising. Tad was so much better at social gatherings than I am. It’s nice to think that I was missed.”
Oh, poor guy. Ryder just wanted to hug him. It must be hard to miss his guy. “Well, obviously you’re well-liked.”
“Yes, perhaps. I do hope that’s true. I suppose that’s what we’re doing these social events for, right? To find out, to maybe make some new connections, reestablish some old ones.”
“There you go.” Eventually Charles would find himself a sweetheart, and he’d be hanging out at the house and listening to an audiobook.
Maybe he’d be fired when that happened.
Who knew?
Charles leaned a little closer as they walked. “River thought we made a good couple. I didn’t know what to say, so I just said thank you.”
“That’s fine. They can think whatever you want them to.” He didn’t mind. He was here to make Mister Charlie’s life easier.