Page 16 of They Were Roommates
“Happy to be home, roi,” Frankie responded in French, and Diego’s smile could have lit a thousand of their little apartments.
As they dug into their food, Diego began to fidget and although it wasn’t quite as noticeable, Obie also seemed a little off. Finally, Seth said, “Is everything alright, my love? Do you not like the food?”
Obie lowered his empty fork to his plate, picked up his napkin, and made a big show of wiping his mouth. The entire time, he stared directly at Diego who slowly flushed a rather endearing shade of pink.
“Everything is great, sweetheart. We have some news, Diego and I, but I’ve been waiting for his cue to share.”
Diego’s lips were pressed together in a tight line and he inclined his head to Obie.
A beat passed, and then a huge smile split across Obie’s face. “I’m taking that to mean I should share my news first. So… I have officially hired three new staff members, and am actually going to be renting out the studio to one of them, which means—”
“You’re moving in!” Seth shrieked and launched himself into Obie’s arms.
“Yes, baby. I’m moving in, so long as that’s okay with Frankie.”
Frankie nodded, somewhat bemusedly since Obie had been spending almost every night at their place anyways even if hedidn’t arrive until late and sometimes had to leave early in the morning. Hopefully for Seth, this would mean Obie would be around during waking hours moving forward.
Obie shifted Seth around until he was curled on his lap side saddle, his face tucked into Obie’s neck. “What’s the second thing?” Seth asked eagerly.
“Well, with the money I’m going to be making on rent, after what I’ll obviously be contributing to rent here—”
Frankie waved him off. As far as he was concerned, Obie didn’t have too much to contribute, except maybe in food and utilities. Obie and Seth were sort of one entity taking up one room in the apartment.
“Well, I will be contributing in rent, but it will still leave some extra income, and the store is doing phenomenally well, so… I’ve been thinking about making some investments. Originally, I had thought about opening another store, but in trying to staff this one I’ve come to realize one is more than enough. But, I still want to help shape this city by promoting queer owned businesses and safe spaces. So,” he looked expectantly at Diego, who appeared to have gone mute with anxiety. His shoulders were tense, and Frankie could see him white knuckling the napkin in his lap.
“So…” Obie continued slowly, giving Diego one last chance to step in. When he didn’t, Obie rolled his eyes and exclaimed, “I’m going to co-sign whatever space Diego and Frankie settle on for their inclusive cafe.”
Frankie dropped his fork, Penelope gasped so hard she choked; Seth popped his head up and let out a loud whoop and Diego just stared anxiously at Frankie.
“If… if you still want that. If you really do want to go into business with me – and with Obie,” Diego asked softly.
“Obie is just a financier. Obie wants nothing to do with making the hard decisions or staffing a cafe long term,” Obie chimed in.
Seth giggled and kissed him on the nose. “You do have pretty shit taste in coffee, love.”
“I really do, baby,” he kissed him solidly on the lips and Frankie felt all melty inside.
Then, he turned to meet Diego’s terrified gaze and he did melt. He leaned forward out of his chair and threw his arms around Diego’s shoulders, pressing his face into the overheated juncture point between the mound of his shoulder and his neck. “Of course I still want to go into business with you. You’re my best friend, my future business partner, and my cabbage.”
Diego let out a choking noise somewhere between a laugh and a cry. He lifted up a shaky hand and placed it against Frankie’s cheek, turning to brush his lips softly over Frankie’s hair.
“Mi vida…” he whispered, and Frankie swore to high heaven he was going to remember to look this one up tonight once the others went home.
Chapter 4
Diego
“If you had toldme we’d be in penguin suits, I would have worn a penguin suit,” Frankie grumbled as he trudged up the steps to the bank.
Diego was indeed wearing a suit, showcasing one of the many button-downs Frankie had brought him home from France. He wasn’t wearing a tie, and he’d gone for brown wingtips without socks so he thought he was closer to business casual than business formal, but Frankie was acting like he was wearing a three-piece tux.
That didn’t stop Frankie from ogling him every chance he got, though.
“You look like what you are. An eager 24-year-old who’s ready to take on the world with just a little more financial backing.”
They were meeting Obie at the bank he’d used to get the loan for his tattoo shop, and he had assured them a loan was almost guaranteed since he was cosigning, but Diego was still anxious. Honestly, he was nervous about a lot of things these days. Among his current worries were finding the perfect space to rent, getting a right-sized loan, and launching a business with his best friend who he was pretty sure he was in love with.
That last part was more angst than anxiety. Even though it seemed like Frankie had slowed down on his mission to sleep with every person in the city, he had still never once made a move on Diego. He’d never even asked if Diego would be interested. Hell, sometimes he seemed to flirt more with Seth than he did with Diego.
