Ben was impressed on how fast Josh was picking up on the audit process. He still noticed the glances Josh gave him from time to time.
They worked until lunch time, and Ben decided he need a break from all the data.
"Can I buy you lunch?" Ben asked.
"Sure, where would you like to go?" Josh said.
"This is your area where is the best place?"
"Fosters down the street is good. The have the best burgers around." Josh recommended.
"Sounds good."
They walked together a few blocks down and found a table near the back. They ordered Cheese burgers with fries.
"So Josh, you have a girl friend?" Ben asked.
"No, to be honest I am not to interested in dating girls. I just got out of a five year relationship." Josh stated.
"Sorry to hear that." Ben was now more curious about this man.
"You?" Josh asked.
"Never dated anyone. Liked someone once but when I confessed got punched so never tried again."
"You confessed to a guy or a mean girl?" Josh laughed.
"Hope you don't take this the wrong way but I am gay." Ben said.
Josh was surprised but now he had butterflies in his stomach.
"The guy I dated for five years left me for a woman. Saying being gay was a mistake." Josh said.
"He was an ass then."
The food quickly arrived and the conversation changed. They talked about the schools they went to. Movies they have seen.
Ben told Josh about his brother and 3 Sisters and Josh told Ben about his two brothers. The hour flew by and they headed back to work.
They worked late that night to finish the two audits they had that day.
"Want to have dinner together?" Josh asked.
"Sounds good I'm starved." Ben said.
Ben followed Josh to the garage. Josh drove a 1970 Dodge Charger 426 Hemi Classic in deep dark purple.
"Nice car" Ben said with a whistle.
"Kind of a hobby of mine. Glad you like it." Josh opened the door for Ben.
"Where we going?" Ben asked.
"My place. I put on a brisket in the slow cooker this morning. It won't take but a second to toss a salad to go with it. I also have homemade bread I made a few days ago."
"Sounds good."
They drove a short way and Josh pulled into an underground parking lot to a high rise apartment complex. They took the elevator to the 10th floor.
Josh's apartment was roomy. It had a modern day class to it. Walking in you could smell the brisket cooking and Josh could hear Ben's stomach growl.
"Make yourself at home." He told Ben.
Ben walked in and laid his coat down. He walked over and looked at the music collection.
"I see your a fan of old Jazz." Ben said.
"Yes, put some on if you like."
Ben looked and found Dee Dee Bridgewater album Escape Velocity and put it on.
Josh came out with two plates of food. "That's a good one. Do you like Jazz?"
"My mom was a big fan, so yes." Ben replied.
Ben sat at the table. The food was simple but delicious. As the music played they ate.
They then went to the livingroom to sit.
"Thanks, tonight was Babs turn to cook and lets just say I would of went to bed with out eating." Ben laughed.
"That bad?"
"Yah. Next time you'll have to let me cook. My specialty is lasagna. I make it on Thursday night for the family."
"Sounds good." Josh said.
"How about this Saturday?" Ben crossed his fingers.
"It's a date then. You can make it here."
"Ok... Guess I should head home then, it's getting late." Ben said standing up.
"It would be hard to get a cab now. Let me drive you." Josh got up too.
"Thanks" Ben put his coat on and they went back to the car.
It took around thrity minutes to take Ben home but before Ben got out of the car he said, "I had a good time tonight. See you tomorrow."
"Ben if you like, pack a bag and stay with me till we're done. We will be working late a lot. You'll get more rest this way." Josh suggests.
"Ok, I'll pack one tonight." With that he walked into the house and Josh's stomach was full of butterflies again.
◇◇◇♡♡♡◇◇◇
Bella finished her story as Zane was eating his dinner. She missed him reading but understood he was busy.
◇◇◇♡♡♡◇◇◇ RAPUNZEL cont.
The King's son was beside himself with pain, and in his despair he leapt down from the tower. He escaped with his life, but the thorns into which he fell pierced his eyes. Then he wandered quite blind about the forest, ate nothing but roots and berries, and did nothing but lament and weep over the loss of his dearest wife.
Thus he roamed about I in misery for some years, and at length came to the desert where Rapunzel lived in wretchedness.
He heard a voice, and it seemed so familiar to him that he went towards it, and when he approached, Rapunzel knew him and fell on his neck and wept.
Two of her tears wetted his eyes, and they grew clear again, and he could see with them as before. He led her to his kingdom, where he was joyfully received, and they lived for a long time afterwards, happy and contented.
◇◇◇♡♡♡◇◇◇
Zane finished his shower and got into bed as Bella put down her book. She then climbed on top of him and kissed him.
This energized him and he could not stop himself from claiming her. It seemed like it had been forever since they had been able to make love and he was not turning her down now.
"Wow... were did that come from?" Bella asked fall next to him.
"I'm not sure but lets do it again." he said.
She laughed. "You have got to be exhausted."
"I was, but not any more." he wiggle is brow then pulled her back for another round.