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Happy that Mac agreed to his choice of wine, David sat back and answered the question. “No. Then again, I didn’t really know about tanning salons growing up.” He gave a small chuckle. “To be honest, I wanted to be a pirate when I was eight and by the time I was twelve I was determined to be a fashion model. At the time, I had only been about five feet with my doctors telling me it was doubtful I would ever get over five-feet-eight.”
“I’m sorry,” Mac said. “I don’t know much about models. How tall did you need to be?”
David gave a frustrated sigh. “They prefer between six-foot-one and six-foot-four.”
Mac looked him up and down even though they were sitting. “But you’re nearly as tall as I am and I’m six-one.”
“Yeah, color me surprised to hit a growth spurt at nineteen after I’d given up any hope of being a model.” He was still pissed about it. “But by then I was in college and having the time of my life. So, I decided to stay and get my degree in ceramics and pottery.”
Mac stared at him oddly, which David couldn’t exactly blame him for. Before he could explain how he went from making art to owning a tanning salon, Ward came back with their bottle of sparkling wine and their appetizers.
Several minutes later, after Ward opened their bottle and poured them each a glass, put small plates in front of them to dish up their appetizers with, and gotten their entrées written down, David had forgotten all about what they’d been talking about.
They each lifted their glass and Mac said, “To a wonderful night with an amazing man who I am enjoying getting to know.”
David felt his whole body heating up as they clinked their glasses together before taking their first sip. “Mmmmm,” he said. “Bubbly, just how I like it.”
“Just like you.” By the look of horror on Mac’s face, he hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
David chuckled, not taking any offense. “Why, thank you. I will take that as a compliment.”
The tension that seemed to grip Mac’s body eased and he relaxed once more. “Good. Because it’s true. There’s something about you that makes my entire day seem...well...happier. Whenever you’re around, it’s as if there is a ray of sunshine lighting up my world.”
Touched, he leaned over and kissed Macalister’s cheek. “That means a lot. Thank you.” Then David picked up one of the prosciutto wrapped asparagus and held it up to Mac’s lips. “Would you like to try a meat stalk?”
Macalister opened up and took a bite, humming cheerfully. “That is so good.” Mac picked up another one and held it up to David. “You have to try it.”
David didn’t hesitate. He just opened his mouth and let Mac feed him. “Oh,” he said after swallowing his mouthful. “You were right. That is good. Then again, Nick only makes the best.”
“Why, thank you, David.” Nick Bellini stood next to their table. “Ward told me you two were here on a date. I didn’t even know you two knew each other.”
David shook his head. “We didn’t until just recently.”
“My bosses gave me a gift certificate to Tropical Beach and forced me to use it,” Mac admitted. “I thought it would be the worst thing ever, but then I met David.” The softness in his brown eyes melted David’s heart even more than the words did.
“Well, congratulations,” Nick said. “I can’t wait to tell Jotham the good news.”
“How is Jo?” David asked. Nick and Jotham had gotten married in 2013, shortly after Maryland had legalized gay marriage. They were the example of a perfect relationship and were so damn cute when they were together.
Nick’s smile turned soft and sappy as he talked about his husband. “He’s good, although he’s visiting his parents, who still refuse to accept our marriage.” There was a lot of bitterness in Nick’s voice.
David couldn’t blame him. Gay, straight, transgender, or any other way people wanted to be was no one’s business but their own. “I’m sorry they are still being stubborn.”
Nick shook his head. “It’s Jotham who I don’t understand. Why would he continue to talk with them when they won’t even accept me as his husband?”
David felt bad for Nick. It must have been frustrating to have his husband not stand up for him.
Mac reached out and put his hand on Nick’s arm. “Having a somewhat crazy family myself, it isn’t that easy to disown them. I know it sounds stupid but every time I talk to them, I keep hoping they will find a way to love me for who I am.”
Huh. David was confused. He thought everything was great with Mac’s family since he followed the path they set out for him. He would need to ask more questions, that was for sure.
Nick covered Macalister’s hand with his own. “Thanks, Macalister. It’s just hard sometimes. I know Jotham would do anything for me.” Then he took a deep breath and changed the subject. “So, how is everything so far?”
“Delicious,” David exclaimed. “You know how much I love the party in your mouth sampler.”
Nick grinned. “It is a favorite. You two enjoy your meal.”
After Nick left, David tried one of the mini raviolis. The spicy meat burst across his tongue as the cheese melted in his mouth. Nick was a genius when it came to Italian food. David had another sip of his sparkling wine then asked Mac, “What was that about your parents not accepting you? I thought with you becoming a lawyer like they wanted, they would be proud of you.”
Mac had just taken a bite of the bread and held up a finger as he chewed. Once he swallowed, he said, “They were, until Brogan contacted me and asked me to come work for Twisted Vine.”
“What was wrong with working for a Vineyard?” From what David knew of The Twisted Vine, it was doing quite well. They were still growing, but they were no longer in danger of going under as they had been in the beginning.
Mac’s lips twisted into a grimace. “Not when their plans had been for me to work for a huge law firm in New York, which I did, for a couple of years, but...” he gave a sad sigh. “To be honest, I hated it. There were times when I felt as if the partners didn’t care at all about our clients, unless it had to do with billable hours.”
David reached over and laid his hand over Mac’s. “That had to have been hard, to choose a different path than what your parents wanted.”
Before he could answer, Ward was there with their entrees. They had finished all the appetizers except for one rising shaft, which Ward left on the table for them. “Do you need anything else?”
Both David and Mac shook their heads. “I think we’re good, Ward. Thanks,” Mac told him.
Their conversation turned to lighter topics as they ate. The food was good and more importantly, Mac didn’t seem to mind sharing with David. For him, that was the best part of going out with others. He got to try different dishes and see if he liked them.
“Oh wow,” Mac said. “Those meaty balls are delicious.”
David grinned at hearing that. “I love your sausage and peppers. They are just the right amount of spicy.”
They had finished the entire bottle of sparkling wine when they were only halfway through their meal and had to decide if they wanted to order another one, or switch to water. For David, it was an easy decision. He wanted the wine, then again, he didn’t have to drive home after dinner.
“You know, I have a spare bedroom, if you would like to spend the night so we can order that second bottle,” David offered.
He wasn’t sure how Mac would respond but had to admit to being somewhat surprised when Ward checked on them to hear Mac order another sparkling wine. The moment Ward headed off to the bar for their order, Mac grinned at David. “I have to admit I really am enjoying the bubbly company...so it is only fitting we order another bottle.”
David was sure he was floating on air. He fluttered his eyelashes and said, “You flatter me, kind sir.” They both were laughing as Ward opened the next bottle and poured them each a glass.
David was glad Mac hadn’t just given up when David turned him down for a date. He would have hated to have missed a chance to go out with such an amazing man.
