THORNE LET DASH pay for their coffee and doughnuts though it wasn’t an easy concession. He’d gone with Dash’s recommendation of a cinnamon cake doughnut, but he wasn’t sure he could actually eat. What if he said the wrong thing? This might well be his last chance with Dash.

Dash gestured toward a corner booth, and Thorne headed in that direction. Once they were seated, an awkward silence settled over them. The walk to the shop had been short, and traffic made the street loud even at that time of night, so they hadn’t really had to talk until now. Obviously, neither of them knew what to say.

After staring at his coffee for far too long, Thorne blurted out. “I came out at work.”

Dash looked up, his eyes wide. “You did?”

“I did. And I told my family too.”

Dash whistled. “How’d that go?”

Thorne smiled at the memory, no point in letting it get him down. “Yeah, it was a fun Thanksgiving.”

Dash’s mouth dropped open. “You told them at Thanksgiving?”

“Yes. I’m an ass, aren’t I?”

Dash snorted. “That’s hardly news.”

“Do you want to hear the story?”

“If you… Yes.” Dash nodded.

“I told my sister first. Right after you…after we… She wasn’t surprised. My parents on the other hand… I told them at Thanksgiving, because I’m an asshole. Dad stomped out. Mom had a fit. But I got through it. I also took two weeks off.”

“Two whole weeks?”

Thorne laughed. “Yes, the senior partners were equally shocked.”

“Did you go sailing?”

He nodded.

“Did you buy a boat?”

“No. I…” Wanted to wait for you. “Might get one in the spring.”

“I’ve made changes too,” Dash said. “I quit my job.”

“Really? I… I’m sorry if I…” As much as Thorne had wanted him to quit, he didn’t want to be responsible for Dash being unemployed.

“No. It was time. I’ve got enough saved.”

He’d have more if he’d taken the money Thorne wanted to give him. “Dash, are you sure… I—”

“Do not bring up the money you tried to give me. That was… What made you think that was okay?”

“You deserve to go to school, and I wanted to help.”

Dash lowered his head into his hands and ruffled his hair. “You don’t get it, do you?”

Thorne hadn’t until Kathryn had talked to him. “I insulted you.”

“I’m not working for you, and I’m not taking your ‘gift.’” Thorne heard the sarcastic air quotes.

“What if I said it was a scholarship?”

“Thorne.” He was pushing it, and he had to stop.

“Fine; I felt terrible after you left; guilty, stupid, ashamed. I wanted to make it better, but I ended up doing something stupid again. I get that, but I just wanted you to be able to follow your dream without having to work anymore.”