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Sully toyed with his glass of whiskey, twisting it back and forth, before swallowing its
entire contents in one gulp. If you ve found something special, you owe it to yourself to
fight like hell for it.
I wish it were that simple. Cullen groaned and scrubbed his palms over his short hair.
I was told to move on with my life.
Just an observation, but you don t strike me as the kind of man to take orders. Sully
slid out of the booth and gestured to the opposite side of the room. Care for a game of
pool?
* * * *
Suitcase in hand, Joseph waited for the white pickup to pull to a stop. It might have
taken him a week to get his shit together and make arrangements for the boys before he
could go after the man he d wanted for far too long.
Mario grinned at him through the open window. You gettin in?
After stowing his bag in the back of the truck, he climbed into the passenger seat.
Thanks for picking me up.
No problem. Asa needed to come to town anyway to meet with the bank, so we
decided to make a day of it. Mario pulled away from the curb. I just got a text from him,
and he s ready, so unless you want to stop to get something to eat, we should be in Lobster
Cove before dark.
I m fine. Priest made me a couple of sandwiches to eat on the plane. Joseph didn t
want to waste another minute before seeing Cullen again. He d prayed nonstop for the last
few days that his love wouldn t be too little too late.
Mario glanced over. Tell me you re here for more than a check on the shelter.
Uncomfortable, Joseph turned his attention to the view out of the passenger window.
Looks like a pretty place.
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JOURNEY TO LOBSTER COVE
56
It is. Mario thrummed his fingers on the steering wheel. Well?
Well what? Joseph wasn t about to volunteer information. As much as he appreciated
Mario giving Snake a heads-up about Sully, Joseph wasn t about to confess his feelings to
anyone but Cullen. How d Cullen s date go?
Really? It s okay for you to ask me questions, but you won t answer mine? Mario
stopped at a red light. With a dramatic sigh, he spoke, They ve been hanging out together,
but I don t get the feeling they ve slept together. Is that what you needed to hear?
Although it did make Joseph feel better, he was still worried. What if Cullen and Sully
were trying to build something beyond a sexual relationship? That would be reason enough
for them to take things slowly, right?
How s the shelter coming along? Joseph asked.
Smooth dodge there, Padre. Mario took off again. The plumbing was supposed to go
in today for the communal restroom as well as the three private baths.
Private baths? At the home in DC, Joseph s was the only room attached to a private
bathroom. Why do we need three?
Because Cullen insisted on it. He said there might be occasions where the shelter takes
in females, like Mandy, Mario explained. He s thinking ahead, which I know Asa
appreciates.
I can see Cullen s point, Joseph agreed. He s done a great job at Second Chance. I
have no doubt he s putting the same dedication into his work for Asa.
Wait ll you see your space. Mario flashed a mischievous smile. I designed it myself.
I don t need much. Joseph hoped Asa wasn t spending money on him. I d rather you
focus your talents on the boys.
Don t worry about the boys. They re gonna love it. Mario turned into a parking lot
and pulled up in front of the bank.
Joseph climbed out of the truck to shake Asa s hand. It s good to see you again.
Asa released Joseph s hand before thumping him on the back. How s Pip?
Good. He s anxious to get out of the hospital. Joseph opened the rear passenger door.
He shoved his suitcase over before getting in.
How d it go? Mario asked Asa.
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Carol Lynne
57
Asa shook his head. They said they won t put a branch in Lobster Cove until we can
prove to them we re a viable community. He rubbed the back of his neck. Fuck em. I ll talk
to my lawyers and see what we have to do to form a credit union in Lobster Cove.
Mario pulled the truck to the side of the road and stared, open-mouthed, at his partner.
Are you kidding me?
No, Asa replied. When Mario continued to stare at him, Asa threw up his hands and
sighed. Is that a problem?
Mario broke eye contact. It s your money.
Joseph cursed his decision not to rent a car. The last thing he needed was to be privy to
an argument between Mario and Asa.
Another sigh came from Asa. It s our money, and if you want to discuss it&
Nope. You ve obviously made up your mind, Mario shot back. He put the truck into
gear before pulling back onto the road.
Babe, Asa growled.
Don t. Mario met Joseph s gaze in the rearview mirror. Sorry.
No need to apologize. As much as I loved Phillip, we still went head to head at times.
Joseph wondered if he and Cullen would argue in the future or if they even had one. If they
did, would they enjoy making up? A sense of excitement filled him at the prospect.
* * * *
Mario managed to keep his mouth shut until they dropped off Joseph at the shelter. The
long drive had given him time to think about Asa s latest plan. It s not that I m against a
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