Page 22

“Okay! I think this is everything.” Dalton set two trays on the table filled impressively with his and Isaac’s orders. The tension between Isaac and Andrew had to be palpable, but he acted as though he didn’t notice.

“Online order—Wen!” the person at the counter called, and when Andrew slid from his seat before Dalton could climb over him again, he did so with finality.

“I need to take this to go. It was good to see you, Dalton. I hate that we lost touch. I’d like to do this again sometime when I’m not rushing out the door.”

“Me too. Here, let’s exchange numbers at least. I’ll give you a call sometime. Or you can call first. I’d really love to see you.”

Andrew took Dalton’s number and sent him a text that lit up his phone with what Isaac saw was a winky-face. “I will. Soon. And Ford, guess I’ll… see you next time?” There was challenge in his expression, but promise, too.

“Next time,” Isaac agreed and tried not to watch too closely as Andrew retrieved his food and exited the café.

“Andrew, huh?” Dalton grinned at him.

“Don’t.”

“Technically not day job related—”

“He’s my competition. That’s related enough. And I don’t want to talk about it.”

“That might be tough the more I start seeing him again. As afriend, wow. You are so transparent.”

“New rule,” Isaac said with a frown. “No security talk or talk about my love life.”

Dalton raised his hands in placation, but he wasn’t remotely believable when he said, “Whatever you say, Dad.”

Twodayslater,someonebroke into Avalon and stole half of Dalton’s research and equipment on absolute zero. When instead of calling his father’s firm for assistance, he called Andrew…

Andrew said yes.

Chapter 3

ANDREW

Andrewhadn’ttoldanyoneabout Dalton yet, though he might have to now, considering he was walking into Avalon to investigate a theft.

On behalf of Dalton Wellesley—DaltonFord, in a way, which was insane but somehow made perfect sense.

It was the eyes that gave them away as father and son, so blue and intense. They'd caught Andrew off guard the first time he met both men, though under very different circumstances. Dalton in the library at college when Andrew started tutoring him. Ford the first time he came in for questioning on one of his many unproven thefts.

Andrew had hoped to learn something useful when he followed Ford the other day, maybe recoup a few losses. He hadn’t thought it would lead to another amorous encounter, or that the next day he'd discover an old friend was his nemesis's son.

He chuckled at the thought as he moved through the R&D labs at Avalon. A flustered, floundering Ford had been a sight, not that Andrew had been much better. The idea of them dating was ridiculous but easier than admitting the truth.

Ford didn’t want Dalton getting caught up in his past, including the part where Andrew had arrested him, and things had been awkward enough without admitting the sex part—which was further reason why they shouldn’t have any more rendezvouses.

Even though the thought of ‘next time’ had been keeping Andrew up at night.

And how attractive Ford was.

And confident.

And sexy.

That line of thinking was not helping. Maybe he just needed to tell someone finally about this whole situation, Christmas and all, to clear his thoughts.

“Hey, Andy.”

But not Steven.