Riley shook his head. “You looked romantic and forlorn. I don’t think anything else would’ve gotten me to listen to you. But the fact that you remembered…” Riley had to stop speaking when his voice broke. He took a breath, trying to recover his cool. “That was brave of you and…” He smiled. “Just fucking awesome.”

“Thanks.” Thorne was actually blushing, and it looked damn good on him. “So, lunch?”

“Yes, when?” Riley asked.

“Soon, but maybe not tomorrow.”

Riley frowned. “Why not?”

“It’s Friday. We need a new pattern.”

Riley grinned. “I wouldn’t have taken you for the superstitious type.”

“I was hurt too, Dash, even if it was my fault. I haven’t been sober on a Friday in a long time.”

Riley was stunned and slightly gratified.

Thorne continued. “I’m spending the weekend at the lake with my sister and her family so—”

“You’re what?” Riley couldn’t have heard that right.

“I told you I’d made changes. So what about Monday at noon?”

Riley didn’t have to stop and consider. He had to find out if there was still a chance for them. “Yes.”

“I’ll send a car to pick you up.”

Riley shook his head. “I’ll meet you. Just tell me where.”

“There’s an Italian place, Molto Bella, down the street from my office.”

“Is this your kind of place? Should I wear a suit?”

Thorne smiled. “No. It’s unpretentious but excellent.”

“I’ll be there.”

Riley studied Thorne for a few moments, allowing himself to truly take in the sight of him now that they were potentially moving forward. “You look good. I like this.” He reached up and stroked Thorne’s beard, but as soon as he felt the rasp of hair, he pulled his hand back, realizing he shouldn’t be touching Thorne.

“I don’t mind,” Thorne said.

“It’s not fair to you, though. I can’t tease you when I don’t know what I want.”

Thorne smiled. “I know what I want.”

There was the Thorne he remembered. “Thank you for telling me, for showing up here. I was too chicken to call you.”

Thorne’s eyes widened. “You wanted to call me?”

“Every fucking day.”

The emotion in Thorne’s eyes was strong enough to knock Riley over.

Thorne turned to go to his car. One slow step. Then another. Then another.

Riley didn’t want him to leave, not yet. “Thorne?”

“Yes?” He stopped but didn’t turn around.

“There’s a twenty-four-hour doughnut place down the street. They actually have really good coffee. Would you—?”

He spun to face Riley. “Yes!”

“Okay, let me just tell Marc. I’ll be right back.”