Page 23 of Something Unprofessional

“Apologies. I’m looking for Everett Bailey? Ev?”

The door shut. All right, then. Gabe checked the number on the wall against what he’d saved in his phone. He was in the right place. He reached up to knock again, but before he could, the door swung open all the way. The boy inside was dressed in an oversized sweatshirt that was long enough to make it unclear if he was wearing shorts or not. It took a moment for Gabe to place him as Ev’s friend from the club who must also be his roommate. What was his name?

“Ev’s not home.”

Owen. That was it. “I probably beat him here.” He held up the phone. “He forgot this.”

Owen blinked big blue eyes at him. “Oh.” He held out his hand. “I’ll give it to him. Thanks.”

Hmm. That wasn’t going to work. He kept the phone out of reach. “Actually, I’d rather wait, just in case. I’m concerned about him traveling in the city without it. I’d prefer knowing he’s home safe.” He gestured into the apartment. “If it’s all right with you?”

Owen heaved a silent sigh but nodded. “Of course, Sir. Please come in.”

The honorific gave Gabe pause before he realized that Owen only recognized him from the club. Ev must have kept their other connection to himself. He let Owen show him into the small living area. Their apartment was tight on space, but what they did have, they used well. There were two doors. Through one, Gabe could see a bedroom, and the other, a bathroom. A heavy curtain sectioned off the sitting area from what appeared to be a second sleeping space. He moved a video game controller and settled on one end of the sofa. On the other end, Owen seemed to have set up camp with several blankets, empty glasses, and a bowl of melting ice cream. A stuffed bunny that had seen better days was perched on the center cushion.

“Can I get you something to drink, Sir?” Owen asked, already walking into the kitchen. “We have beer, soda, and juice. And water, of course.”

“Water would be great, thanks.” Gabe picked up the stuffie to get a closer look at its worn fur and kind face. “Who’s this?”

Owen set a glass of water on the coaster in front of Gabe then reached out and took the bunny from him, hugging it to his chest. “I’m sorry, but I’m a little confused. How is it that you have Ev’s phone? He was working late tonight.”

“I guess you don’t know who I am.”

Owen’s brow furrowed. “Master Jack said you’re an old friend of his and that you help out the club from time to time.”

Gabe nodded. “That’s true. I’m also Ev’s boss. He’s my PA.”

Owen’s eyes went wide. “You’re Gabe. Oh crap.”

Gabe had to chuckle. “Oh crap is probably right. He and I had a bit of a misunderstanding this evening, and we need to talk it over. That’s why I came here.”

Owen was about to respond when a key scraped in the lock, and the door swung open. Ev took two steps inside before he spotted Gabe and froze like a startled deer.

Gabe stood, keeping his posture as nonthreatening as possible. “You forgot your phone at the office.”

Ev didn’t seem to have a reply to that. He opened his mouth and closed it again. Then he turned to Owen.

Owen dropped the bunny back on the sofa and hurried over to Ev, then began speaking in his ear, quiet and rapid.

Ev nodded several times and seemed to relax, albeit slowly. “Yeah. Okay,” he said finally.

Owen gave his arm a squeeze, and then, with a warning look at Gabe, he went to the back bedroom and closed the door with a click.

Ev took off his coat and tossed it over a stool at the kitchen counter, looking anywhere and everywhere except at Gabe. “Thanks. For bringing my phone. You didn’t need to wait. I’ll, um, see you at work tomorrow. I guess.” He paced into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water, chugging and then refilling it. “Unless you’re here because I’m fired. In which case, I’ll leave you alone.”

“Ev,” Gabe said, keeping his voice neutral. “Come sit with me, please.” He patted the cushion beside him.

Ev looked ready to jump out of his skin, but he did as Gabe asked, settling on the sofa and dragging the bunny into his arms. “Okay. I’m sitting.”

Gabe bit back a chuckle, sure it wouldn’t be taken well. “Thank you.” He relaxed and stretched one arm along the back of the sofa in Ev’s direction. “How are you feeling?”

Ev’s face went blank with surprise then he frowned. “What?”

Gabe shifted closer but stopped when Ev swayed away from him. “We had what I’d call a pretty intense scene, and then you ran. It would be irresponsible of me not to check on you.”

Ev flopped against the back of the sofa and tucked his chin to his chest, making it difficult to read his expression. “Is that why you’re here? Look, I’m fine. I’ll be great if we could just pretend none of this ever happened.” He gestured between them. “Like, total amnesia would be stellar if we could manage that.”

Gabe wasn’t sure why he’d expected anything else. Ev’s reaction made it clear he regretted what they’d done. But if thatwas the case, Gabe didn’t understand why he let it go on as long as he had. “I think I’m going to need an explanation first, boy.”

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