Hearts and Flowers, Love and Kisses – 1
Author: Elsa Rose Bryant
Plot: Judy
Summary: Brian and Justin had gone on with their lives after that first night. But now Brian is 33, the world is maturing around him, maybe it is time to grow up. But can he and does he really want to?

It was one of those enlightening experiences, an epiphany of sorts that happens every now and then. An experience that almost seems out of body, yet painfully it wasn’t. His mother’s caution when he was child ran through his mind. <i> eavesdroppers never hear anything good about themselves. </i> 

Brian circulated, drink in hand, sardonic smile in place through his loft. A party he’d paid for, arranged, organized, going on around him. Music played, people laughed and talked and as the alcohol flowed freely. Only Brian wasn’t drinking. He had a drink in his hand, but what no one knew was that he was on a regime of antibiotics and had been told to stay off the booze. 

Apparently the favorite topic of the night was the host of this soiree. Was he usually so immune to what was going on around him? Did you usually get so wasted that sounds of people speaking were just so much white noise? Or did he drink and become one with the music that played? Brian asked himself all of these questions as he walked between groups of laughing and drinking people and he wondered where he’d gone wrong in thinking that his friends actually cared about him. 

An epiphany of sorts, the discovery that he really was on his own in the world. He was thirty-three years old. He surrounded himself with friends, make that long-term acquaintances. 

Michael laughed. “Naw, Brian is the stud of Liberty Avenue, there’s no way he’ll ever have what Ben and I have. He’s too into himself. Fuck em and leave em, that’s Brian.”

“It’s true you know, Brian is far too selfish to ever give up his creature comforts for anyone else. I mean look at him, he’s thirty-three and barely even takes Gus for more than an hour. Heaven forbid the kid should mess up his perfect loft. He’d never be able to accept anyone else into his life. The first sign of trouble and he’d run like a rabbit.” Melanie snorted as she slugged back another margarita. 

It was only the beginning, with each conversation he listened in on, Brian discovered more and more common misbeliefs about him. He had no idea these people thought he was unable to love. For that matter they all agreed that no one would ever find him loveable. Yes, it was an eye opening experience. He wanted to shout at them all, to insist they leave his home, to stop drinking his booze, eating his food. Instead Brian began to remember things his mother had said to him. His father words as well. Maybe he couldn’t be loved. Maybe there was something about him that was somehow flawed. Some personality quirk that couldn’t be seen by him, but that others saw immediately. 

Brian’s face became wooden, his tongue more acid as the evening went on. When the last guest left, Brian locked his door and sank to the floor, his back against the steel. It was time to reassess his life. To prove everyone wrong. He could love, he could be loved. He wasn’t some heartless bastard who thought only of himself. He was Brian Kinney for fuck sake. 
As he sat on the floor, Brian reflected on his life. He’d had so many men; he’d long ago lost count. Though at first, when he was fourteen, he’d tried to keep track, like some kind of personal score keeping. It occasionally provided him some amusement to try and calculate just how many he had and whether he should count blow jobs, or just penetration. The mind boggles. Brian snorted. Now what he needed was someone young and idealistic, like that kid he’d had the night Gus was born. Justin of the perfect ass, thick cock and penchant for learning like no other. 

Too bad he never did anyone more than once. It was bad enough he’d let the kid stay over. Brian pulled himself up off the floor, is mind wondering just what had happened to the young blond boy with the killer smile.  

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Justin Taylor, the young blond boy in question, was no longer all that young. He’d graduated with honors from Dartmouth, with a double major, business and fine arts. He’d spent the summers while in University working with his grandfather at Taylor Electronics and then a year as CEO of the same company. It was all to make sure he was ready to handle his own company. After careful consideration, Justin and his Grandfather had decided on purchasing an advertising firm in Pittsburgh. It was one of the more prestigious firms and Justin was looking forward to bringing it even higher recognition. He’d reviewed the employee files and was looking forward to meeting them all on Monday. 

“Hey Justin,” he looked up and laughed at his friend Daphne, who was dressed for clubbing. 

“Hey Daph, what’s up?” 

“Do you want to go out tonight?” she bounced over to him and gave him a quick hug.

“Do I look like I want to go out?” Justin laughed. “I have a busy weekend planned and I don’t want to be too tired.”

“But Justin, I’m only here for the weekend, can’t we go somewhere lively and loud and fun?” 

“I’m taking possession of my house tomorrow, the moving truck comes in the afternoon. I think my weekend is committed enough. You were going to help me if I recall.” 

“You know just ‘cause went to a school full of stick in the muds, doesn’t mean you have to be like that yourself.” She pouted, throwing herself on his childhood bed. 

“Are you nine?” he laughed. “I’m a business man, upstanding member of the business community just like dear old dad.”

“What a jerk.” She giggled. “You are sooooo not your father. 

“True, I won’t fuck my secretary even if he’s hot.” Justin giggled. “I still wish you’d come in with me. You’d make an awesome second in command.” Daphne also had a masters in business administration.

“We’d kill each other before the first week was out.”

“Daph, I’m serious. I really want to concentrate on the art department. I was kind of hoping you could do the actual running of the company.”

“Now you freaking tell me?” she rolled her eyes. “Luckily I figured it out, like three months ago. Of course I’m coming with you. I already talked to your grandfather about it. He figured you’d put off telling me. He knows what you want to do, you can’t fool him. That’s why he’s given this to you completely. Your father has no finger hold in it.” 

“Now who’s the jerk?” Justin asked with a laugh, laying beside her on his old bed.  “Does Gramps really know?”

“What that you’re a gay boy artist disguised as a mild mannered executive?” she giggled. “That would be a yes.” 

“Fuck, hope he doesn’t tell dad. I’m sure my father thinks it’s a deep dark family secret. He keeps hoping you and I will suddenly see the light and get married.” 

“Tell him to hold his breath.” Daphne snickered. 

“I’ll get right on that.” Justin sighed. “So are you getting your own place? I mean you can’t live with mommy and daddy.” 

“I’m going to move in with you.” She laughed and snuggled close under his arm. “Please, pretty please.”

“Sure, why not.” Justin laughed. 

“Cool, my moving truck is coming tomorrow afternoon too.” She laughed at the look on his face. 

“Why do I feel like I’ve been manipulated?” he pondered out loud. Not really upset with her, she was his best friend and truth be told, he was going to love living with her. His new house was certainly large enough for the both of them. He’d have to see about perhaps subdividing it into two separate units.

“Now can we go out dancing?” she whined. 

“No. we can’t go out dancing. You can go, I’ve got things to do.”  Justin sighed. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been back here in this room. More years than I like to think.”

“Remember when we did it here?” Daphne asked. “You were pretty cool, I was such a dork, I wouldn’t even take off my bra.”

“I didn’t want to see any more girl flesh than I had to. I was glad of that bra.” Justin laughed. 

“I’ll always remember you were my first.”

Justin remained silent. He remembered the words of his first. “You’ll always think of me.” It was funny, he thought of Brian frequently, he was an unforgettable man. There were times when he wondered how his life might have turned out differently had his father not freaked out when he’d stayed out that one night.  Would he have done anything differently? Would he and Brian maybe have seen more of one another?

“What room can I have?” Daphne asked. 

“What room have you picked out for yourself?” Justin smirked. 

“I was kind of thinking of the bedroom at the front of the house with the bay window. I could use the room beside it as kind of an office, sitting room and it has it’s own bathroom.” 

“Good because I want the back master suite with the attached sun room. I’m going to use the sunroom as a studio.”

“That’s what I figured. So that leaves three more bedrooms.” 

“Guest rooms, my office is going to be on the main floor. Sort of an office/library.”

“You don’t even like people. Who is going to stay with you as a guest?” she giggled. 

“No one I hope, I’m leaving them empty.” 

“You can’t do that. It’s weird.”

“So, it’s my house. Who’s going to visit? Everyone we know lives here, they can sleep in their own house.”

“What if you have, like an overnight guest?” 

“I just said I don’t know anyone who doesn’t live here already.” Justin looked at her trying to figure out what in hell she was talking about.

“Well, I think you need to at least put furniture in one guest room.”

“Go for it, you want to decorate the guest rooms for non guests, go for it.” 

“Okay, I will then.” She pretended to pout. “What about the living room?” 

“What about the living room, it’s a living room.”

“Are we decorating modern or traditional?” 

“We aren’t doing anything, when did this become your house, you wouldn’t even come with me when I bought it.”

“That’s because I was working. I told you that. You were the one who decided you wanted to live in a freaking house in the middle of nowhere. I didn’t want to encourage you.” 

“Now that I bought it, I notice you don’t mind living in it.” 

“True, it’s a cool house. Way too big for you by yourself. I’m doing this for you. We can split the costs of upkeep.” 

“Ha, ha, ha.” Justin snorted. “Besides, I have it covered. I’ve got a yard service to straighten out the yard, a pool service for the pool, and a housekeeping service for the house.”

“Please come dancing, pretty please.” 

“Oh for fuck sake, one dance and one drink and then I’m going home to mommy.” He snickered. “It just feels creepy going to a club and coming home to my mother’s house. I feel like some kind of loser.” 

“You’ve only been here for like one night.” She snickered. “Loser.” 

“I have to change.” 

“Okay. Hey wear the white shirt from school. It’s still in your closet.”

“It’s too small.”

“Yeah, well duh, we’re going to Babylon, it’ll be hot. You could wear those old jeans.”

“They look like shit, they’re too small and ripped.” 

“Apparently you haven’t been out much lately.” She sighed dramatically. 

“I’m a big boy, I’ll dress myself.” Justin said, getting off the bed and looking through his suitcase. “We aren’t staying long, but I don’t want to look out of place either.” 

“You could go as you are. I mean Armani is kind of cool.”  He hadn’t changed from his earlier meetings with his lawyers and Marty Ryder. 

“I’ll change.”

An hour later Justin was searching for a place to park in front of Babylon, someone pulled out and he managed to get his car into the tight space quickly, right in front of the door. 

Brian was leaving the club, when he saw a laughing blond jump out of his car and move over to stand under a streetlight while his friend got out of the passenger side. Suddenly he was finding it hard to breathe, it was Justin, it had to be him. Sure he was older, but it had to be him. He bounded down the steps, new life infused in his body as he approached Justin. “Hey Justin, want to fuck?” It was his patented, guaranteed to work question. He didn’t usually call his tricks by name, but he was hoping Justin would be more than a trick.

Justin startled and then looked into hazel eyes. “Hey.” He said and smiled. “You’ve had me and I don’t do seconds.” He grinned. “Come on Daph, I promised you a dance.” He grabbed Daphne’s hand and together they ran up the steps of the dance club, leaving Brian standing alone under the streetlight.

“Justin, wasn’t that Brian, your Brian, the Brian I’ve seen you draw like a million times.” Daphne hissed as he dragged her into the thump thump of the music. 

“Yes, that was him alright.” Justin led her onto the dance floor. “Dance girl, you wanted to dance, we’re dancing.” He shut his eyes and began to lose himself to the rhythm of the music. He didn’t need or want to think of Brian Kinney. He wanted to keep the man alive in his memory the way he had been for the last five years. He didn’t want to think of how many men had come after that night. He didn’t want to know. Brian Kinney would stay in Justin’s mind the way he was on that morning at Saint James. It was the way things should be.

Brian couldn’t believe the words he’d heard. He looked around to see if the world was still the way it should be. He hadn’t taken anything that night. In fact he’d sworn off drugs in his quest to find happiness with a yet to be found man. Justin was that man. He had to have him. Only this time he needed to keep him. He should never have let him go in the first place. 

Monday morning, Brian was surprised to see three of his co workers heading back down in the elevator as he got off. “Where are they going?” Brian asked Cynthia as he balanced his latte and briefcase while reaching for his phone messages.

“Fired, with severance of course. The company’s been sold. Marty wants you in the board room to meet the new owner. And Brian, no smart remarks, this guy is a stickler for work. The Bob and Brad found that out.” She nodded at the closed elevator.

“What the fuck are you talking about, Ryder sold the company? I had a partner offer from the son of a bitch on Friday.” Brian’s face was red, his hands shook.

“Sorry Brian, I don’t know any more than you do.” Cynthia looked past Brian. “Mr. Ryder.” 

“It was nice working with you Cynthia, Brian.” The man said as he hit the down button for the elevator. “I’ll be in touch. And Cynthia, see that my office is packed will you and shipped to my home.” He stepped into the waiting elevator.

“Marty, what the fuck is going on?” Brian blocked the door from closing. 

“Brian, I’ve discussed your position with the new owner. He’s agreed to give you a trial period to prove your worth. The partnership is still on the table, only it will be under the new regime.” He pushed Brian’s hand away to allow the door to close. 

“Brian, Mr. Taylor is asking for you.” Cynthia hissed. 

“I’m in my office.” His long legs carried him quickly to the door. 

“Brian, this isn’t the time to play games.” Cynthia cautioned. 

Justin and Daphne sat at the head of the boardroom table. A stack of company policy booklets to one side, along with personnel files, were on the table in front of them. 

“We only have three more to go.” Justin sighed. “I hate firing people.”

“You’ve only done what had to be done. Besides we’ve given most of them another chance.” She stood up. “Do you want a coffee?”

“You don’t have to get coffee.” He sighed. “Where in hell is Kinney?” 

“I’m right here.” Brian drawled as he walked in the conference room door. He recognized Justin immediately, but his face showed nothing. 

“Sit down Mr. Kinney.” Justin said. “I’m Justin Taylor, the new owner of Ryder Advertising, soon to be known as something else. This is Daphne Chanders, she is my second in command. We have reviewed your work here. It’s been exemplary, if occasionally unorthodox. You seem to like to fly by the seat of your pants, handing over projects at the last minute, sometimes even changing concepts during presentation to the client. Marty Ryder tells me that you had been promised a partnership. In fact it was to happen this month with the signing of Stimson Snacks.”

“You have your facts straight Mr. Taylor, Miss Chanders.” Brian’s voice held no sign of his feelings. He couldn’t believe the blond twink whose virginity he’d taken so many years ago, was sitting across the desk from him.

“I know that the sale of Ryder comes as a surprise to you. I can appreciate what a shock it is to find that someone you thought you knew, could be telling you one thing, while doing another.” Justin folded his hands, tenting his fingers on the desktop. “I must say I was surprised to find Marty Ryder had made an agreement with you, verbal, but nonetheless an agreement, that should be honored if the man had any morals at all.”

“That makes two of us.” Brian said, wondering where this conversation was going. Justin was dressed in impeccable Armani from the new fall collection, that to Brian’s knowledge wasn’t available for sale yet, and was definitely cock hardening hot. 

“I’d like to make you the same offer as Ryder, if you are still interested. You as partner would oversee, working directly with Daphne, the general running of the company. Rather than a buy in, I would accept your experience as equivalent to the cash required. By the way, we would like to see a name change for the company as I mentioned before. Daphne and I discussed a number of different names, but rather prefer the name Kinnetik. It’s a play on your last name, and well frankly, it’s your name that this company is known for.” He passed a bound folder to Brian. “I’ve had legal draw up a contract. I think you’ll find the terms are generous, but by all means have your lawyer look it over.”

“Oh and Mr. Kinney, you’ll notice that in the contract, there is a no tolerance policy for drugs or alcohol used on the job as well as a no fraternization policy.”  Justin and Daphne stood up. “The offer is open for twenty four hours Mr. Kinney.”

“And after that?” Brian asked, standing as well.

“After that, well, we’re all expendable.”

“And the name Kinnetik?” 

“The name Kinnetik stands. We’ve already trademarked the name, bought the domain name. Had the web site built, and ordered the new stationary.” Justin smiled. His manner was all business. Brian didn’t know if he should be impressed or pissed at this little twat. 

“I’ll have my lawyer read this over.” Brian picked up the folder. The name Kinnetik was embossed on the front. He looked at it and then at Justin, his eyebrows raised. 

“I believe in being prepared.” Justin shrugged. “It’s something I learned early.”

“Cynthia is to be my assistant. Not my secretary. She’ll need one of her own.” Brian began. 

“It’s in the contract Mr. Kinney. I’d suggest you read it over. I’m certainly open to any suggestions or alterations, but like I said. It’s a very generous contract.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, what is your role in the company if Miss Chanders and I are running it.”

“Oh, you mean besides actually owning the company? I plan on running the art department.” He smiled and walked to the door. “Now if you don’t mind, Miss Chanders and I have a meeting.” Brian was dismissed. He had no choice but to walk out the door. 

The door closed behind Brian. The two friends looked at each other and grinned but said nothing. Justin opened the door again not surprised to see Brian standing there, obviously listening. “Did you forget something Mr. Kinney?” he asked sweetly.

“Uh, no.” Brian, who was not easily flustered, stammered and flushed before turning to walk to his office. 

Justin stood in the door and watched Brian go into his office.

“I can’t believe you kept a straight face.” Daphne said with a giggle., shutting them back into the conference room.

“Believe me it wasn’t easy.” Justin sighed. “Fuck Daphne, I still want him just as much as I did when I was seventeen. You’d think that after all of this time I would have gotten over my school boy crush.” 

“He was your first.” She shrugged. “It happens to be hard to get over your first.” Then she flushed, realizing that she had given herself away as to how she felt about her friend.

Justin chose to ignore what she’d said. He didn’t want to go there and maybe start up all the weirdness that had gone on between them when he’d succumbed to her request and taken her virginity. “I’m glad you’re going to work with him. Maybe you can form some kind of unbiased opinion on the man that’ll make sense to me so I can get over him.”

“Do you really want to get over him?” she asked. “You just made him partner. The only thing in the agreement you didn’t give him was the key to your house.” 

“That’s not true. It was just a regular partnership agreement.” But Justin knew she was right. It was an agreement that gave Brian close to control over Kinnetik. And let’s face 
it, the name alone was a passive aggressive move to ingratiate himself. He flushed at his audacity. It was too late to turn back now. “I’m going down to the art department.” Justin said. “I want to see how things are laid out there. I know we interviewed the staff, but working with them will let me get a better feel for how they think.”

“Artists think, who knew?” Daphne teased. “You go have fun. I want to go over the current campaigns that are getting ready for presentation. And then I think I’ll invite our <i> partner </i> for lunch. That is, if you haven’t scared him off.” 

“Brian doesn’t scare. I might not have known him for long, but that’s one thing I do know.” Justin gave her a quick hug before heading to the art department. He needed to smell the inks, see the equipment, almost like a junkie needs a fix.

Daphne spent an hour making sure her office was the way she wanted it. She took extensive notes about the decorating changes she planned on making. She wanted to discuss a possible relocation of Kinnetik with Brian before she committed to renovations where they were. Maybe she could get the addresses of a few new location ideas from Justin’s mom in her new capacity as a real estate agent.

“Brian, it’s Daphne.” Her voice sparkled into the intercom. “Are you busy for lunch today?”

“No.” Brian answered, wondering where the earlier formality had disappeared. “I have a four o’clock meeting though.”

“I’d like to take you to lunch if you’re free. I thought perhaps the Bistro Noir. They make great lunches that don’t make you fall asleep in the afternoon.”

“Sounds fine, should I make a reservation?” he asked, still puzzled, but going with the flow.

“No, I’ll do it.” She smiled into the phone, hoping to convey with her voice as many positive vibes as she could. “I’ll stop by your office at eleven forty five. It’s about a fifteen minute walk there for me.”

“Why don’t I drive you?” Brian suggested. 

“I’d rather walk if you don’t mind. We won’t have to deal with parking and the exercise will do me good.”

“Fine, I don’t mind walking. Eleven forty five it is.” He waited for her to disconnect before he did. Interesting, he thought to himself, I wonder why it wasn’t Justin who made the first move. 

Brian had barely hung up the phone when it rang again. “Kinney.” He barked without thinking into the phone.

“Briaaan.” Michael whined. “You didn’t stay last night.” 

“Some of us have to work.” 

“I work.” Michael huffed. 

“Yeah, well I meant work that involves thinking.” Brian snerked, it was so easy to tease his old friend. “So Mikey unless you have something to say that’s life altering, I have to go and do some of that stuff called work.” 

“Hey, how come when I phoned, that girl called the place Kinnetik or something. I thought I had a wrong number.” 

“That’s the name of the place. Ryder was bought out; the new owner changed the name.” Brian sat back and put his feet on the desk. “Kinnetik has a nice ring to it.” He snickered, wondering if Mikey would get the significance of the name.

“Dumb name.” Michael huffed. “What’s it mean?”

“Can’t imagine.” Brian shook his head. “I have to go. I have work to do and then I have a lunch meeting.”

“Can’t you come to the diner for lunch? I thought we could maybe have some time together. You weren’t there for breakfast.” 

“Odd as it may seem Mikey, I do have a life that doesn’t revolve around the diner and Babylon. I’ll call you later.” Brian disconnected before Michael had another chance to find something else to whine about. 

“Brian, do you have a minute?” Cynthia said from his doorway.

“A minute is about all I have. Come on in.” 

Cynthia was carrying a similar folder to the one on Brian’s desk. “Oh, I see you have one too.”

“I haven’t opened it.” 

“It’s my new contract and a copy of company policies including medical, dental and life insurance.” She looked at him under her eyelashes. “The company name is Kinnetik. The mail boy delivered all new stationary to me. Your name is on it as a partner.” 

“I haven’t signed anything. Taylor is jumping the gun.” Brian opened the folder on his desk and began to look it over. “Taylor is nuts, he’s practically giving me the company.”

“He’s being very generous with me. But he and Miss Chanders said they’d been looking at this company for a number of months. Remember the group Ryder had wandering around here a few weeks ago. The ones who were always asking questions and poking into what everyone was doing? Well, apparently they were a firm hired by Mr. Taylor to check productivity and talent. You were marked as the one who actually ran the company. Marty didn’t even come close to meeting your targets.”

“You know this how?” Brian asked with a laugh.

“I’ve been talking to Miss Chander’s secretary, Betti. She went to the same University that I did, only two years earlier. She’s worked for Justin Taylor for the past year. She says he’s gay.”

“No shit.” Brian shrugged.

“She also says he never goes out much, is always working and that he doesn’t have a boyfriend, even though many have tried to snag him.” She smirked. “Apparently he has some kind of personal motto that includes not ‘doing’ boyfriends, no casual dating and no second chance for tricks. Sound familiar?” 

“No.” he stared back at her, poker faced. “Should it?” 

“He was on the fast track at Dartmouth which he hated, by the way, but his father insisted he attend. His grandfather is the force behind him now. His father is pissed because he’s gay. Apparently he just figured it out.” 

“I hesitate to ask, but do you two talk about all the senior members of the firm this way?” Brian looked at her. “I don’t like to be gossiped about.”

“Anything I say about you is all good Brian, never fear.”  She stood up. “I hope you sign your contract. Your name looks rather good on the letter head of the company.”

He scrawled his name on the various indicated spots on the papers in front of him. “Here, you can give this to legal. I want a copy for my personal files.”

“Wow, now I’m your assistant instead of your secretary.” She snickered. “Do assistants deliver things to legal?”

“They do if they don’t want their asses kicked. Find us someone hot and delicious for a secretary.”

“Not a chance, I don’t need you getting into trouble. Though if he’s straight, that might be kind of nice.” 

“No fraternization. It’s in the fucking rules of conduct.”

“Hmmmm, now that’s going to be hard on you. I saw that look in your eyes after you met with Justin Taylor. You want him and you want him bad.” She smiled and stood up. “I’ll take this to legal before you change your mind.” 

Brian watched his friend and coworker leave. They made a good team; he couldn’t imagine working with anyone else. Cynthia knew all his secrets, or she thought she did.

Eleven forty five came around sooner than he realized. He looked up to see Daphne standing in his doorway. “Miss Chanders.” He smiled and stood up. 

“Daphne, call me Daphne and I’ll call you Brian.” She looked around. “Nice office, but I think we can do better. I’ll tell you all about it at lunch.” 

Brian was intrigued, now what was going on? There was more activity around the firm than there had been in years. He could practically hear the wheels turning in the various offices. 

Once they were settled at a table, Daphne turned to Brian and said. “Do you remember Justin?” she asked.

“Pardon me?” he was puzzled.

“I mean from when he was seventeen. You picked him up on Liberty Avenue and took him back to your place.” 

“I’m sorry Daphne, but I don’t discuss my personal life with coworkers.” Brian smiled to take the sting out of his words. He was curious as to why she’d bring his time with Justin up.

“I didn’t mean to be rude or anything. I know all about that night, believe me I’ve heard about it enough. Not to mention he’s painted it in living color a number of times. He even had a whole show based on that night. Every painting sold before the show opened. You look damn good naked, though I suppose he took some liberties.” She snickered. 

“Where was this art show?” Brian asked, one eyebrow raised.

“Oh, in New York last year. It was when he decided to come out to his family and try to be the person he really was. And not the person his family wanted him to be.” She shrugged and looked up at the waiter. They both gave their orders and when their drinks were delivered, Daphne said. “Justin isn’t the same boy he was then. I just wanted you to know that. He’s not as impressionable.”

“I’m not the same man either.” Brian took a sip of his wine. “Is this the reason for your lunch meeting? To warn me off Justin?”

“No, actually I wanted your opinion on a couple of prospective buildings. We rent space right now, but Justin thought it would be better if we owned our own building. As senior partner in the firm, I’d like your opinion.”

“I agree, owning our own building is a good idea. If Justin is willing to take a leap of faith or two, I have some prospective clients I’d like to bring into the firm. The size of their accounts would mean we’d require more staff. More staff, more room to develop the accounts. Owning our own building would give us control over how we expand and when. That is, if it’s the right building.” 

“What do you have in mind?” Brian asked. 

“I have a couple we can go and see after lunch. Justin’s mom sells real estate. She gave me the keys.” Daphne reached into her purse and pulled out a piece of paper with addresses on it. “These are the addresses. They’re both near here, we can walk and still be back for your four o’clock meeting.” 

“Daphne, this address.” He put his finger on the one at the top of the page. “It’s an unusual building.”  

“Oh, do you know it?” the address meant nothing to the young girl.

“I’ve been there a time or two over the years.” Brian conceded. “It does have a good art deco feel to the place. I suppose it would depend on what kind of money you want to spend on renovations.”

“Any place we buy we’d have to renovate.” Daphne shrugged. “The important thing, is to present an awesome package to prospective clients.”

“Presentation is everything.” Brian agreed. He looked up when the waiter placed their salads on the table in front of them. The waiter was not bad looking. He winked at Brian who pretended disinterest. 

“Geeze, doesn’t he know you’re with me?” Daphne shook her head. 

“He knows, he just doesn’t care.” Brian looked at her. “It’s a gay thing.” 

“No kidding.” She huffed a laugh.

“You’ve been friends with Justin a long time?” Brian asked, making conversation. 

“Since we were about three.” Her eyes twinkled. “Our parents thought we were going to get married.”

“Stranger things have happened.” 

“Yeah, we might have, but then he decided to check out Liberty Avenue one night and met his dream man. That was the end of that little fantasy as far as I was concerned.” She laughed. “We would never have been happy. He was born gay, he just didn’t want to admit it.” 

“I had that much effect on him?” Brian shook his head. “I never saw him again. Why didn’t he come back?” 

“You’ve got to be kidding. His dad found out he’d been out all night and before you know it, he was sent away to school. He spent his vacations with his grandparents when he wasn’t going to school.” 

“Oh?” 

“Yeah, thank gawd for email or we would never have seen each other again. Well, until University. We shared an apartment when we both attended Dartmouth. You’d never know it from looking at him, but he’s the messiest person in the world to live with.” 

They continued to talk until lunch was over. Brian paid the bill though Daphne tried to. “I’m telling you Brian, I asked you, so I pay.” She said.

“I never let a lady pay the bill.” Brian smirked as he stood up. “Now let’s look at these potential offices for Kinnetik.” He put his hand on the small of her back, leading her out of the restaurant. Daphne rather enjoyed the looks of envy on the faces of other women who watched them. Brian was strikingly good looking.

Later, they walked back to Kinnetik, discussing what they’d seen. “I favor the former bath house.” Brian said. 

“You just like it because it brings back memories or something.”

“Well, it is rather fitting that a place like that would now hold Kinnetik.” He grinned. 

“Justin will have a cow.” She snickered. “But then he doesn’t actually have to know all the details.” 

“Why Miss Chanders, I don’t believe you said that. He’s your best friend after all.”

“He’s more prudish than you might think.” 

“He doesn’t trick?”

“Ha, not a chance. Oh, he says he does and he has all these rules and stuff. But he really doesn’t. He wants to find that fictional character in all romance novels. He wants to find love. He wants a white knight to sweep him off his feet. Hearts and flowers, love and kisses. You know all that kind of thing.”

“He’s a fag, fags don’t work that way. No hearts and flowers.” 

“That’s a load of crap.” She all but spit at him, “Justin deserves to be loved. He has tons of love in him. He deserves love and kisses, and everything that goes with it.” 

“Well, I hope he gets it.” Brian shrugged. He left her to head to office and while he was waiting for his client, he thought about what she’d said. How would Justin know if he was in love? How did anyone know they were in love? What in hell was love for that matter? As far as he was concerned it was probably just the lust two people, who had some kind of chemistry, felt when they met. It wore off eventually.

But trusting blue eyes gazing up at him haunted his dreams that night like they had almost every night for almost five years. Strong fingers twined with his, laughter that filled his loft as he did handstands, it was all part of the dreams that surfaced every now and then when he least expected.