Page 6 of Burned By Love

As soon as his workroom was empty, Jonathan walked back inside.He closed the door, carefully avoiding looking back.He didn’t want to know if West was looking at him.He didn’t want anything to do with West.

Good thing he’d never see him again after today.

Chapter Two

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NORMALLY, WEST WOULDN’Tstill be thinking about Jonathan.Nothing had happened between them.Jonathan hadn’t even talked to West.They’d watched each other for half an hour, but almost as soon as West had decided to take a chance and talk to Jonathan, the man had left.The sound of the door closing behind him had been final, and West had left with the others, climbing back into the fire engine, ready to dismiss the cute guy.

But he was still thinking about Jonathan.He wasn’t sure why, except that he couldn’t explain Jonathan’s strange behavior.

The man had been tense, which made sense considering that someone had just fainted in his workroom, but West was pretty sure there’d been more to it.Jonathan had seemed fine enough initially.He’d been focused on the man on the floor, but West had noticed his gaze flickering to him a few times.That was why he’d decided to talk to him.He’d thought he had a chance.

Clearly, he hadn’t.

“West?”

Lisa’s voice snapped West back into the present.He blinked down at the cards in his hands, but he could barely remember what game he’d agreed to play, let alone what he should do with the cards.

He sighed and put them down.“I’m sorry.”

Jeremy and Lisa exchanged a glance.“It’s fine.You don’t have to play with us if you don’t feel up to it,” Lisa said.“But we’re a bit worried.Is everything okay?”

“He’s still pouting over the hot tattoo artist not giving him his number,” Austin declared as he put down one card.

The three of them looked at West as one.West resisted the urge to reach over the table and strangle his best friend.There was a reason he loved Austin, even though, right now, he couldn’t quite remember what that reason was.He was sure he’d miss the asshole if he killed him, unfortunately.

“Did you ask him out?”Jeremy asked.

“You were with me the entire time.When would I have asked him out?”

“I don’t know.I wouldn’t put it past you to go back to the shop to do just that.”

“That sounds like something Austin would do, not me.”Even though West had been wondering if maybe it was time to add another tattoo to his collection.Would it be so bad to go to Jonathan if he decided to do that?

It wasn’t like West was planning on harassing the man.He didn’t know what had happened the other day, but he could be professional if that was what Jonathan wanted.West was just confused about why Jonathan had reacted the way he had to him.It was almost as if he’d gotten scared halfway through, which didn’t make sense.

“Maybe you should try that,” Austin offered.“You haven’t been on a date in how long?”

West pushed away from the table and got to his feet.“My love life isn’t your business.Stay out of it.”He wasn’t harsh, but he wanted Austin and the others to know that this wasn’t something he wanted to talk about.

He left the three to their card game and decided to take a nap.He might as well take advantage of the fact that today had been remarkably calm.

It wouldn’t last.

He settled in one of the bunks, closing his eyes and sucking in a deep breath.If he wanted to sleep, he’d have to relax first.

He wasn’t given the opportunity to.The door opened again, and he groaned because he knew who it was.

“I’m sorry,” Austin said.

West sighed and opened his eyes.He stared at the ceiling for a moment before turning to his best friend.“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not.I shouldn’t bother you about getting a boyfriend.You’re not like me.I get that not everyone wants a relationship.”

“But?”Because with Austin, there was always abut.

“But I don’t think you’re happy.You’re content but not happy.”

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