Page 125 of Sapphire Sunset

“Maybe. Now I’m sure he’s told you about our little talkyesterday, Logan.”

“He did,” Logan said.

“But there’s another problem I see here. And it needs to be dealtwith. Quickly.”

“Maybe you could give us a beat to change the managementstructure at the hotel first?” Connor asked. “I started the ball rolling thismorning.”

“This isn’t work related. The problem is you’re runningmostly on lust. And a lot of it, given how quickly you came back together thesepast few days. But it’s allowed you to skip over some very basic steps. Now Idon’t doubt for a second that you’re both remarkable young men. With you,Connor, I know this to be true because you have my DNA. And you, Logan. Youcertainly bear all the signs.”

“Thank you, Janice,” Logan said. “I appreciate that.”

“But what’s missing is some intimacy. And yes, your apparentlylegendary showers, which both of you have seen fit to mention in my presence,do entail some degree of intimacy. But not the full mile. And that’s what I seein you two. Two men who want to go the full mile together.”

“Well,” Connor said, “those are interesting thoughts, Mom.”

“Ah. And now the dismissal.”

Connor turned to Logan. “What do you think, Logan? Are welow on intimacy?”

“I think your mom has a good point,” Logan said.

“You’ve already won her over,” Connor said. “You don’t haveto suck up.”

“I’m not,” Logan said. “In fact, she’s giving me an idea.”

“Oh, yeah?” Connor asked warily. “What sort of idea?”

“Tonight we’re going to do something for the first time,”Logan announced proudly.

“Okay. What?” Connor asked.

“We’re going on a date.” Logan thought a winning smile wouldsettle it, but Connor was staring at him with a furrowed brow.

“Okay. Well, you skipped the part where you asked.”

“Really? Okay. Can I take you out tonight, Connor?” Loganasked.

“Sure. Where?”

“No,” Logan said.

“What do you mean,no?” Connor said.

“No, you don’t get to ask. It’s a first date. I surprise youby showing you a good time without a ton of cues. You get to see what I enjoydoing so you can see if you want a second date.”

“Is that how it works?” Connor asked.

“It does with me. And you’re getting intimate with me,remember?”

“Okay, but it ends with penis, right? Because I don’t wantto do that part of the date where we don’t know if there’s going to be sex.”

“No, we don’t have to do that part,” Logan said.

“Well,” Janice chimed in, “if you boysreallywanted to get to know each other, you might want to consider a little pause onthe—”

“Silence, Mother, or I shall overturn the table and vanquishyou to the far kingdoms.” With a raised finger, Connor had spoken those wordsin a rasping whisper.

Janice smiled. “It’s bolted to the floor, Tolkien. But pointtaken. I’m glad you two are enjoying that part so much.”

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