Robin nodded. “I’ll go.”
Dean didn’t begrudge helping out a friend, but Kris’s timing left a lot to be desired. “Hey, you don’t have to go right this second. Wait till he’s here.”
Robin walked slowly toward him. “About today… You know, the whole ski instruction bit… I’m sorry I lied to you. I should’ve known better.” The note of contrition was genuine, and Dean regretted his blunt reaction.
“Well, you got to spend time with me after all, so I guess it worked out okay.” Robin’s serious expression touched him. “Hey, no harm done, okay? We had a couple of hours skiing, and it was a great morning. And you might be spending more time with me if we go to NYC. Have you been there before?”
“A couple of times when I was younger. The city seemed enormous.”
“It is. But there are some fantastic places to see. You like art, don’t you? How about a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art?”
Robin’s eyes sparkled. “I’d love that.”
Another idea occurred to him. “Can you ice skate? There’s the rink at Rockefeller Center.”
“I’ve never done that.” Robin’s lips twitched. “Honestly.”
Dean had to smile at that. “Then we’ll do that. I’ll find us a hotel. Maybe Adrian can recommend a place. He lives there now. We’ll make a weekend of it.”
Robin nodded eagerly. “Sounds like an adventure.”
It occurred to Dean that he wanted to spend time with Robin as much as Robin wanted to spend time with him.
A car pulled up outside, and Dean went to the door. “That’ll be Kris.” When he opened it, Kris launched himself into Dean’s arms.
“God, I’m such a mess.” Then Kris stiffened as he looked over Dean’s shoulder, and he quickly disentangled himself. “Oh. We’re not alone. My bad. I should have asked, shouldn’t I?”
Dean gestured to Robin. “This is my friend, Robin. He’s going to make my new canoe.” Robin’s eyes shone, and Dean loved the sight.
“I’d better go,” Robin said. “Can… can we do this again?”
Dean grinned. “Are we talking ski instruction, or lunch?”
Robin laughed. “Lunch. And maybe some more skiing—without the instruction, this time.” He grinned. “You never know. I might show you a thing or two.”
Dean chuckled. “I don’t doubt it.” He grabbed Robin’s coat from the hook by the door and handed it to him. Robin got into his boots, fastened them, and with a nod toward Kris, he left. Dean watched him wheel his bike down the path toward the sidewalk.
“He’s cute.”
Dean turned to Kris. “And you’re a mess, apparently. Want to tell me why?”
Kris nodded. “Only, can we do it by the fire? I’m freezing my nuts off here.”
“Sure.” Dean glanced down. “Once you’ve taken your boots off.” As he closed the door, he recalled that some people didn’t need telling.
Then it occurred to him he was sorry Robin had gone.
“Is there a reason for this meet-up?” Diane asked as Dean passed her a martini. “Not that I’m complaining, you understand. Hell, we could be here to raise a glass to it being December first for all I care.”
“Maybe it’s because Dean changed the kitty’s name.” Suze’s eyes twinkled. “Hey, you could give him a new name every week, and we could come over to celebrate. I’d be up for that.” She stroked the fluffball curled up in her lap.
Dean gave a nod to Kris. “Over to you.” He poured himself a drink but didn’t sit. Kris had asked for the girls to come over, and Dean had agreed. Kris needed a little moral support right then.
“I need your advice, guys,” Kris confessed. “My mom called yesterday. My dad has had a stroke, and he’s in the hospital. She… she wants me to visit.”
Kate frowned. “Are these the same parents who kicked you out on your ass when you were seventeen? Who haven’t given a flying fuck about you all these years? And now they want to play happy families?” She scowled. “The nerve of some people.”
“I know all that,” Kris remonstrated, twisting his hands in his lap, his cocktail on the table beside him. “She thinks he hasn’t got long to live, and she says he wants to see me before it’s too late.”
“Well, that all depends on what he wants to see you for.” Suze’s face was hard. “Because if all you’re going there for is for him to launch into some deathbed lecture to stick the knife in again, I’d say fuck it, and let him die without giving him the satisfaction.”
“Wait a minute.” Diane’s voice was soft. “What if he’s had some kind of revelation? What if he’s realized he’s been an asshole all these years, and he wants to make things right before he goes?” She looked Kris in the eye. “It’s up to you, sweetheart, but you need to ask yourself one thing. Do you want to let him go, never knowing if he’s changed his mind about you? This might be what you need to heal and move on.”
Dean said nothing. He’d said pretty much the same as Diane the day before, but he could understand where Kate and Suze were coming from. It really was up to Kris now.
Kris sighed. “I guess you’re right. I was in such a panic yesterday. I’ll be honest, my first reaction was to say fuck him. But then I talked to Dean. I needed to hear from you guys too.” He took a deep breath. “I’ll sort out a flight tomorrow, and I’ll get to him as soon as I can. I’ll call my mom tonight when I get home, so she knows to expect me.”
Dean walked over and squeezed Kris’s shoulder. “Does that feel better?”
Kris nodded. “Thank you. All of you.” Lady chose that moment to stretch and wander over to him, gazing expectantly at his lap. Kris laughed. “You too, Lady, but you’re not getting up here.” He patted the empty seat of the sofa next to him. “This is reserved for Dean, who is going to sit and tell us all about the cutie I saw here yesterday.” He stared up at Dean. “The one with the huge crush on you.”
Kate leaned forward, glass in hand, her eyes wide. “Oh, tell us more.”
Dean arched his eyebrows. “Crush?” What the fuck is he talking about?
Kris rolled his eyes. “Oh please. It was so obvious.”
Suze frowned. “Who are we talking about? What cutie?” She gave Dean a hard stare. “Have you been holding out on us?
“His name’s Robin,” Kris supplied. “Dean didn’t say any more than that. All I can tell you is he was so pretty. Those eyes…” He brought his hand to his chest. “He caused my heart to flutter.” Then he grinned. “He caused something else to flutter too.”
Dean narrowed his gaze. “Down, boy.” He addressed Suze. “He was a student—not one of mine—and he now works at the boatyard with his dad. I met him this week when I went to order a new canoe.”
Suze’s face lit up. “Robin Davis?”
“That’s him. I gave him a skiing lesson.”
She snorted. “Of course you did. Is that what they’re calling it now?”