Page 77 of Back Room Host

“Hi,” I replied in a reserved manner.

Hector bypassed New Year’s wishes and other small talk as he headed straight to his office. I stood there, momentarily bewildered, before refocusing on the vegetables.

He didn’t notice me. I would have seen it in his eyes if he had. I know him well enough for that.

I had managed to push Hector out of my thoughts all this time. But now, I wondered how he reconciled everything with his family. I didn’t assume his wife knew anything about his …inclination?

Personally, I didn’t care, because knowing that he was also with men made me feel like I understood him a little better. But why gay escort? There were plenty of young guys he could have sex with for free.

Or was that precisely it? As Juri had told me, his service consisted of giving men what they desired.

Something started working in my head, and as clouds gathered, my mood darkened.

I should probably come to terms with the fact that as soon as Juri can climb the stairs again, he’ll hop out of here and go back to his job.

So calm down, I scolded myself irritably and returned to slicing the vegetables.Every day he’s still here is a bonus day.

I should keep a close eye on his progress. I wouldn’t want him to catch me off guard with his departure.

“How are you doing?”

Startled, I turned to see Hector opening the fridge to grab a ginger shot.

“Good. And you?”

I sound casual. That’s good.

“Everything’s great. And how’s your patient?” Hector glanced at Juri’s closed bedroom door before looking back at me. “Or has he moved out already? If I remember correctly, he got the walking boot today.”

“Wow, you’re really well-informed.”

“You were at work; we chatted a bit.”

Of course …

“He’s sleeping,” I said, continuing to chop the carrots. “It didn’t turn out as much as he’d hoped today. He has the walking boot now, but he’s still not very mobile. It’s really gotten to him.”

When Hector didn’t respond, I stopped cutting and turned to face him. Hector had this expression on his face as if he were about to say something.

“What?” I asked.

“You … I’ve never heard you talk like that before.”

I grimaced. “What do you mean?”

Hector widened his eyes. “Could it be that you like the guy?”

My eyes darted back in a high arc from the living room to the kitchenette as my thoughts tried to keep up. I shook my head. “Nonsense. No. He’s just my muse.”

“Did you have sex?” Hector asked bluntly.

I choked on my own breath and coughed. “No!”

“You’re lying.”

“Stop it!”

“It’s not a big deal.”

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