Page 18 of Secret
Noam nodded. "Just a few blocks away."
"Funny, I haven't seen you here before."
"We're here a lot, especially on the weekends. I hate that I have to leave her all week when I'm at work, so I try to make it up to her when I'm home." He hoped he didn't sound like some crazy dog lover who spoiled his dog too much.
"So, you live alone?" Kasey slowed his step.
"Is that your way of asking if I'm single?" Noam grinned.
"That might have been my next question as living alone doesn't necessarily mean you're not seeing someone."
"There's no one else. It's just the two of us, and I haven't really dated in a while. The job keeps me busy, and honestly, by the time I get home and have a couple of days off, the last thing I want to do is hit the clubs or go searching for a date. That doesn't mean I won't take advantage of asking someone to dinner if the opportunity comes up." He wanted Kasey to know he was interested in seeing him again. He might not be looking for anything serious, but there was something about Kasey that drew him in. Even if it was just friends, he wanted to get to know him better. "There's no one waiting for you at home, is there?"
Kasey shook his head. "My house is quiet. No one else there."
He noticed Kasey didn't offer any information on if he was dating anyone, but he hoped that the omission meant he wasn't. "I take the fact that you run here to mean you live close as well?"
"Yeah, just about a mile up the road. I'm near the golf course." Kasey stopped as they waited to cross the street.
"I'm the other direction. Near the elementary school." Noam gave Casper's leash a tug as the light changed and they started to cross. "I think I already mentioned I'm a detective for the city."
Kasey nodded. "You mentioned being a cop, but never what you did. Homicide?"
"Thank God, no." Noam sighed. "At least not most of the time. I'm more generalized. I deal with crime scenes and current cases. I could have specialized if I wanted to, and maybe someday I will, but I like being out in the field, not stuck behind some computer all the time. Not that I don't end up there anyway." He followed Kasey toward a small café looking place. "I get a little of everything."
"That helps keep it from becoming redundant. Gives you a little variety." Kasey led him to a small table on the patio. "Hope this is okay."
"This is great. I've never been here."
"They just opened about six months ago. I pass by on my runs. Stopped by one night and I was hooked. They have the best sandwiches." Kasey passed him a menu that was propped against the condiments at the center of the table.
"What do you suggest?" Noam glanced down at the items.
"If you're going for a sandwich, the roast beef is amazing, but the burgers are just as good."
"I'll trust you and try the roast beef."
"Always trust so easily?" Kasey grinned across the table.
"Oddly no. You just give off a vibe. Guess I'll know soon if I should have trusted that vibe or not." Noam sat back as the waitress came to bring them water and take their order. Once she left, Noam relaxed a bit. "So, tell me more about you."
Kasey shrugged. "Not much to tell. Moved here from Los Angeles about fifteen years ago. Finished school, got a job working nights. I sleep late, watch too many movies, and work a lot of late hours. I'm actually a pretty dull person."
"That's no way to sell yourself." Noam laughed.
"Would you rather I lie and let you find out the truth later?" Kasey stared at him intently.
"Does that mean there will be a later? This isn't a one-time meal?" He never let himself take an interest in someone. It was too hard later when things started to get serious and he had to start opening up about his past and how it affected him still. He'd made a vow not to put himself in that position again, but as he stared across the table at Kasey, there was something he seemed to want to hold on to. It was an uncomfortable feeling, but one that he didn't want to ignore. He liked Kasey so far and wanted to know him better.
Kasey smiled. "Well, I have started to grow quite fond of your dog. So you might not get a choice in the matter."
Noam looked down to find Casper beside Kasey's chair. He had his hand down, caressing it over the back of her neck. "Figures she'd beat me to the punch." Noam gave an exasperated sigh. "I guess I'll have to up my game."
"I don't know about that. I sort of see you as a package deal. Can't like one without liking the other." Kasey reached for his water.
Noam liked how that sounded. "Well, I'm not really looking for anything serious, but I am attracted to you, and I'd love to hang out more."
"Not serious is good." Kasey looked almost relieved.
