I fiddled with the keys, gnawing my lip. “Um. Yeah. No one you know. He’s … in Asher’s program. Ash introduced us.”

“Cool. Have fun.” There was a hint of disappointment in Aaron’s smile, but I ignored it. He’d had his chance. I wasn’t playing those whishy-washy games with him.

“Thanks. I will.”

I smiled and headed back downstairs. When I got to my basement hovel, I grabbed my phone, intent on shoving it in my pocket, when I saw a waiting message from Asher.

Asher: I’m not fucking gay, asshole. Never mind. Forget I asked.

I read it twice, my brows inching to my hairline.

“Sensitive much? I was kidding.”

Ignoring his text, I stuffed my phone into my pocket. I didn’t have time for Asher’s weirdness. I had plans with a sexy older man and his hopefully sexy husband.

The sushi restaurant was small. The lighting was dim, and every nook and cranny was decked out in Japanese décor. Tables were set up in secluded little nooks with the help of shoji screens bearing decorative cultural paintings and designs. Paper lanterns hung from the ceiling, highlighting the eating areas, giving everything a washed-out yellow glow. The music was something strange in itself.

The small Asian woman at the front door spoke with a thick accent and stilted English. “One person?” She held up a finger to emphasize her question.

“No. I’m meeting some people.” I scanned but couldn’t see Jay with all the screens in place. “Jay Lavero?”

“Yes, yes. Come.”

I followed her to the back of the small restaurant and around a cherry blossom painted screen to a table where Jay and another man sat sipping saké. They both glanced up at our entrance. One pair of stunning blue eyes, the other a deep brown.

I waved, suddenly shy. “Hi.”

Jay gestured to the free chair. “Please. Sit. Atticus, I’d like you to meet Dean. My husband.”

Dean scanned me head to toe with a long, appraising look like he was buying a car or purchasing goods and needed to ensure he was getting exactly what he was promised.

When he didn’t move, I thrust out a hand. “Hi. Nice to meet you.”

Dean stood and took my hand, clasping it in a strong, unyielding shake that spoke volumes about the kind of man he was. Dominating. Powerful. In charge.