Nate #2
I look back at Lisa and ask, “How much is the rent?”
She hands me a prepared sheet of paper. Carter and Mel move closer to me and huddle close to look.
As Lisa steps out of sight to give some privacy, we all look at each other in shock, “How is this only $20,000 a month?” I whisper.
“I thought it would be 50,000 or at least 40,000,” Carter says.
Lisa returns. “How’s the price look? We can negotiate if needed.”
I put on my best poker face. “Definitely in our price range, but we’d love to take a better look around.”
We explore the space for thirty more minutes. There’s an office, a small staff break area, and ample space for equipment. Maybe not enough space for a full stage, but definitely something that could fit one or two people at a time.
“How many tables would fit, if we built a small stage towards the back wall?” I ask.
“The last tenants had 17 tables total,” Lisa says. “Mix of high-tops and booths.”
“I was thinking around 10 to 15; varied sizes,” I say.
“That would be perfect. And yes, you could fit your little stage,” Lisa says. “You would need to have it built yourself, and removed if you do not renew your lease.”
I look at least and nod, “Works for me.”
As the tour wraps up, Lisa adds, “I’m just the property manager, by the way. But the owner said they’d hold the space for ten days.”
“We’ll have a decision before then,” I promise.
We walk out, turn the corner, and stop when we are out of sight. “Is this fucking happening?” I ask.
Mel grins. “You tell us, babe.”
“This is happening,” I say. “We’ll need to come up with a payment plan so I can pay you both back.”
Carter gently grabs my arm. “Stop worrying about that. You saw we can handle the investment. This isn’t a handout; it's an investment. We believe in you and we are investing in you.”
Mel nods in agreement, placing her hand on my shoulder.
We start walking back home, but Mel stops suddenly. “Guys, I’m heading home. I need to let Indigo out; she hasn’t been feeling great and has been shitting all over my apartment. But I’m excited for Friday. You two, me, and Paul are gonna rage all night.”
“Love you, girl,” I call as she walks off.
As Mel walks off, I turn to Carter and say, “I’m going to spend today and the next two days working on a full game plan for this cafe. Name, branding, marketing. All of it. This is happening, and I am not going to make you regret believing in me.”
Carter smiles. “If you need anything from me, I’ll literally be in the room with you.”
I glance back at him. “I might have to work in the guest room. You being around is always a distraction.”
He smirks and winks. “Just be ready by 5:30 on Friday. The plan is dinner at this Italian place in Hell’s Kitchen, then we’re meeting Paul and Mel at a nearby gay bar to celebrate.”
“I thought we were going to Spiral, where Paul bartends?”
“Spiral’s a more chill vibe,” Carter says. “I’m looking for something with dance vibes. And FYI, the plan is to make out with you in public at the restaurant, so I really don’t care who sees me.”
I grin as we step into his building.
Carter throws a playful look at Henry, pats him on the back, and says something sarcastic to try to break the guy’s usual stone-cold demeanor.
Henry lets out a small sigh and the tiniest smile.
We head into the elevator, still smiling.
Before we walk into Carter’s apartment, he looks at me, a little sheepish. “I know it seems like I’m making this into a big deal, but…I kind of want it to feel like a party, and I want to be around people I love. ”
He pauses, then adds, “I already told Marcus, Becky, Josh, and Lisa to meet us after dinner. I was thinking maybe you could text Evan and Christina? They don’t live far. What, an hour and a half by train? They can sleep over in my guest rooms.”
I smile. “Of course! They’ll be down. They love to party.”
Carter grins. “Babe, this is exciting. You’re finally going to go out, party, and with no care in the world.”
“Let’s get fucked up,” I say, smirking.
Carter looks at me with that big, goofy smile and says, “Fuck, yeah. Ten drinks, let’s go!”
***
“Babe, normally I’m the one who takes forever,” Carter says, standing in the doorway of the guest room I’ve been working in. “But it’s 5:30 and it’s Friday. Remember, our date?”
“Hold on,” I say, still hunched over a folder on the coffee table. “I’m finishing the business plan for the cafe. I’m trying to streamline it and make it quick and efficient, but I also want it to be perfect.”
Carter crosses his arms and smirks. “I love that for you. Truly. But I told you to be completely ready by 5:30.”
I stand up, flash a smile, and gesture at myself. “I’m ready! Can’t you see this beautiful blue henley I’m wearing?”
Carter raises an eyebrow. “What else is new?”
“But don’t you like these skinny beige jeans? They make my ass look amazing.”
He grins. “They do. Now turn around. I wanna kiss it.”
“As you wish,” I say with a smirk.
Carter drops to his knees and kisses my clothed ass, which makes me laugh. I quickly stuff my papers into the folder, grab my jacket, and say, “Okay, now I’m really ready.”
Carter taps my butt and leads me to the door. He already called the Uber, which is waiting to take us to the Italian restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen. It’s also walking distance from the gay bar we’re going to after. Carter says it’s called Rainbow Pony, which sounds super colorful.
The ride’s about twenty-five minutes. As we step out and walk toward the restaurant, I look up at the sign. “Linguino,” I read aloud. “That’s a fun name. I love it.”
Carter kisses my cheek and grabs my hand. I notice people walking past, a few glancing over. Some side-eyeing, maybe recognizing him. My stomach tightens a little.
Carter must sense it. “Funny that you’re the nervous one and I’m completely fine.”
“Shut up. I’m not nervous,” I lie. “But, I am glad you’re so carefree.”
We step inside. The hostess immediately lights up when she sees Carter.
“Mr. Elliott, you’ve been amazing this season. I’m a fan; don’t mind me.”
“Thanks,” Carter says, all charm. “Go Hawks. I love meeting fans or anyone who recognizes me.”
He adds, “I reserved a table for me and my boyfriend. Is it ready?”
She glances at me, raises an eyebrow briefly, and then says, “Yes, right this way.”
I smile at Carter as we follow her. I knew this day was coming, but the way he’s owning it all. It’s kind of mind-boggling.
We’re seated at a small marble table near the center of the restaurant. It’s busy, with about fifteen to twenty tables filled with mainly couples and a few larger groups.
Five minutes later, our waiter shows up. He looks around our age; blond hair, icy blue eyes, around 5’8’. “Can I start you off with something to drink?” he asks, mainly looking at Carter.
Carter answers before I can. “We’ll take your most expensive bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.”
The waiter blinks. “We have one, but it’s about $500 per bottle. Is that okay?”
“Perfect,” Carter says. “We might need a second, so check for two bottles, while you're at it.”
The waiter nods, barely reacting, and heads off. I lean over and say, “I love you so much. You spoil me, babe.”
We talk without even thinking about it. About the cafe, his team, how exciting life is, and how fate and timing brought us all together. He and Paul. Me and Mel. Us. We talk about everything.
Ten minutes later, the waiter returns with two glasses and the red wine. “Here’s your bottle,” he says flatly.
He goes to pour, and Carter bursts out, “Aren’t you supposed to ask if we want to taste the wine first?”
Our waiter looks at Carter and says with little emotion, “Would you like to taste it first?”
Carter nods. “Yes, please.”
We both try it and give each other a nod. Carter looks up and says, “It’s great.” Our waiter then swiftly pours each of us a generous pour.
Before he can walk away, Carter holds up a finger. “Actually, we’re ready to order.”
The waiter turns back, with no pen or pad in sight. “We’ll have two chicken parm dinners,” Carter says, “with linguine on the side. And if you have bread, preferably garlic, bring that too. Thank you.”
“You got it,” the waiter replies and walks off.
Carter leans toward me. “I think he hates me.”
“Oh, 100%. But he’s also kind of a dick. You’re a waiter, where is the emotion, and the pizazz?”
I grin. “I know, right? But also, I’m so excited for this food.”
“Before the food comes,” Carter says, “come over here.”
“What do you mean?” I say with confusion.
He leans over the table, which is definitely not safe, and pulls me halfway over to kiss me. It’s quick, but it feels like forever.
“What was that for?” I ask.
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he says. “These past four months…I’ve never felt like this before. You’re just part of me now, babe.”
My chest tightens, and in the best way. “I love you, too. You’re literally my favorite person. That might even include my siblings, and I would literally die for them.”
“So…I made the ‘I’d die for’ list?” Carter smirks.
“I mean, kinda bae,” I say with a grin.
He laughs. “Oh yeah, I forgot we’re on the relationship fast track. Saying we will die for each other after only a handful of months together. I love it!”
We’re still laughing when the food arrives, steaming, saucy, and cheesy. We’re already through the first bottle of wine, which the waiter sees and lifts without a word. “Another?” he asks.
“Yes, please,” I say before Carter can.
The wine hits fast and we’re feeling loose and horny. We keep rubbing each other’s legs under the table, with our feet. The couples next to us, on both sides, keep glaring.
“Can you see them?” Carter whispers, amused.
“I think it’s the foot-on-thigh situation we keep doing,” I say.
Carter smirks. “We should just have sex right here. I feel like this is an appropriate place, right?”
I snort. “We’d get arrested. How about the bathroom instead?”
He shrugs, understanding the joke. “We can wait till we’re home, I guess.”
We devour our meals. Carter calls for the check, then drags his chair around to sit beside me, kissing me softly and repeatedly.
“Okay,” I whisper. “Now I’m getting uncomfortable.”
He grins. “Sorry. It’s just…all new and I’m excited. Also, we are two bottles of wine deep, and I am pretty wasted.”
“Are we gonna grind at this bar?” Carter flirtatiously asks.
“You can be in front,” I say back.
He rolls his eyes. “Obviously. I want to feel your hard dick on me.”
“Shush, you’re so loud,” I whisper. “What’s this place called again?” I ask.
“Rainbow Pony,” Carter says with a straight face.
I burst out laughing. “How festive!”
The check arrives, which Carter pays. The waiter barely acknowledges us as we thank him, which is, to say the least, unsurprising.
We leave the restaurant hand in hand. Outside, Carter leans in, kisses me again, and whispers in my ear, “I can’t wait for later.”
“You know Evan and Christina are sleeping over, right?”
“We’ll be quiet,” Carter says.
I raise an eyebrow. “We can try, but I am not confident.”
We both pull out our phones and text everyone we invited. We’re heading to the bar now. It’s 8:10, so most of them will probably already be there. Let the party begin.