Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Pete gave him a strange look. “It means it’s worthless and needs to be replaced.”
“No, I—” Jonathan laughed. “Never mind. So you need what, a new one, or something? Can’t you just go to Walmart and get one?”
Pete rolled his eyes and leaned his head on the back, slipping down further into the chair. “God, I wish. Of course, my mechanic closed at six, which it’s just barelythat now, but when I called he was all like, I’ll be by tomorrow to get it, no problem. Yes, problem! How the hell am I supposed to get home?”
Behind Jonathan, his office windows overlooked Richmond’s busy Broad Street; one was slightly opened to let in a little air, and through it he could hear the hissing brakes of the city bus as it stopped at the corner just outside their building. But heaven forbid he suggest Peter Giles ride the Greater Richmond Transit, even if the man’s Lexus was sitting undrivable in the parking deck. Pete would most likely have the heart attack everyone thought he was heading for, given his temper.
A glance at his computer screen showed nothing that couldn’t wait until the morning. Jonathan sighed, knowing the only reason Pete was still hanging around the office was because he was looking for a ride. Not that Jonathan minded; they werefriends. And Lord knew Pete was easy on the eyes, with his rugged jaw and a head full of wavy chestnut hair, and deep blue eyes so dark, they almost looked black in certain light. When Jonathan first met Pete years ago, he’d been drawn to the magnetism in those eyes, the intelligence and light and, admit it, the raw sensuality shining bright in that stormy gaze. Pete’s strong grip had been incredibly sexy, as well, as was his aggressive confidence throughout their interview. If only Jonathan had been single at the time…
I’m single now,he thought, studying his old friend openly as Pete stared at the ceiling and waited for him to extend the offer of a ride home. Pete wouldn’t ask—he wasn’t the type. He expected others to step up to the plate for him, which was probably why they usually did.
Jonathan shook his head, bemused. If I don’t say anything, we’ll sit here all night.
Finally, before the silence stretching between them could become too awkward, Jonathan said, “You know, I’m just about finished up here anyway. I can drop you off if you want to ride home with me.”
A slow grin spread across Pete’s face, lighting up his already handsome features. “Hey, only if you’re heading out that way.”
He wasn’t, not by a longshot, and Pete knew that. But Jonathan stood and reached for his coat. “For you? I can take the scenic route home.”
Pete clapped his hands onto the arms of the chair. “Let me treat you to dinner, at least. I was going to stop at the RVA Ale House for a burger and a beer. If you’re up for it…what do you say?”
The only thing Jonathan had at home was a freezer full of frozen entrees, none of which he really wanted to eat, anyway. They could wait another day. “That sounds great.”
“Let me get my things,” Pete said, heading back to his own office. “It’s a date.”
Only Jonathan knew it wasn’t, not really.
* * * *
Peter Giles was not a man who took rejection lightly.
When Jonathan had come in to interview with him, it hadn’t been Giles and Banks then. He was nothing more than a sole proprietor who employed a receptionist part-time, and she’d been walking out the door when Jonathan arrived. Peter was looking to expand his business—he hoped to move into grant work; he had connections in a lot of local governments and knew they had projects that could get funded by CDBG and HUD grants, if only there was someone who could write up the paperwork and coordinate the efforts. He’d helped write grants when he interned at a planning firm while at graduate school, and knew he could do the work. He just needed a dedicated staff to help him pull together the resources. He’d bring on the receptionist full-time and hire a few planners, but what he really wanted needed was a business partner.
Jonathan was Pete’s the third or fourth interview that week. So far, he’d liked one woman’s portfolio so much, he hired her for graphics work—she would design the maps and digitize the drawings to accompany the grants, and already had ideas on a cohesive look for the still-to-be-named company. A few of the planning applicants showed promise, particularly one burly guy who drove all the way down from Rutgers University in New Jersey to interview, then had to drive back for his commencement service the following day. But a lot of the resumes Peter received were crap, many not even suited for the positions he wanted to fill. He’d scanned Jonathan’s and it showed promise, so he hoped the late afternoon interview wouldn’t waste either of their time.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone