Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

forward. "Glenn, I've always been, uh, drawn to older men, to be honest."
    "Really?"
    "And with you, well you just don't seem that much older. You're very young-looking for your age."
    "Thanks a lot ," he said sarcastically.
    "Sorry, I guess I didn't say that exactly right. I just mean to look at you I'd have never guessed you were in your forties if I hadn't known you."
    "Just barely in my forties," he corrected.
    "Exactly."
    The waiter was back and they placed their orders. For the next two hours they chatted amicably. At first it was entirely shop talk, Glenn telling Jason about a software platform he'd been working on. Jason related some stories about his college experience, then told Glenn about his apartment. They talked about their workout routines, home décor, music, and movies.
    Jason didn't remember the last time he'd felt so relaxed. Glenn was interesting and funny and very intelligent. Their age difference seemed non-existent as they shot the breeze with each other, until finally Jason pulled out his phone to check the time.
    "Holy crap, it's after eight o'clock," he said.
    "Maybe we ought to quit taking up space here," Glenn said.
    "Yeah, I gotta get goin," Jason said as he pushed his chair back.
    "Are you gonna be all right to drive?" Glenn asked.
    "Oh yeah. I only had three drinks, and it was with food."
    "Are you sure? I'm staying here at the hotel…"
    Jason cocked his head slightly to the side and smiled. "Are you inviting me back to your room?"
    "Jason, I've enjoyed talking to you." He reached across the table and placed his hand atop Jason's. "I guess I'm just stalling—not ready for you to leave yet."
    "I like you too," Jason admitted. "But I can't." He shook his head and bit his lower lip. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that to my dad. It would crush him if he…"
    "He doesn't have to know…" The look in Glenn's eyes told Jason he realized immediately that it was the wrong thing to say. "I'm sorry," he said. "Of course, you're right."
    "Maybe we can figure out a way to still be friends?"
    "I'll be here a couple more nights. I'm not flying back to Houston until Friday morning."
    "Maybe I'll catch up with you tomorrow," Jason said.
    "I'd like that."
    Jason took a shower when he got home before logging onto his computer. Purely out of curiosity, he Googled Glenn Braeburn. He found the link to Glenn's company website which he spent a few minutes checking out. Then he looked up Glenn's Facebook page. He did not want to "friend" Glenn because he knew his father would be able to see, but he did look through Glenn's photo albums.
    Stephen was exactly as Glenn had described him, or at least in the pictures he appeared to be. Very bubbly and happy-go-lucky. Perhaps a bit campy at times. Jason couldn't help but smile. He could see himself in a role like that, beside a man like Glenn.
    Sadly, he knew it was an impossibility. The last thing on earth that Jason would ever do was hurt his father, not after all the man had been through. He knew that all Glenn had told him about their falling out had to be true. Jason could visualize it with his mind's eye—his dad hurting so badly, mourning the loss of his beloved wife, then just snapping. It had been an emotional meltdown. It all made sense.
    He wondered how his father's evening had gone with Laura. It was now almost ten o'clock, and Jason wondered if his dad were home yet. He didn't want to call him in case … well, in case the date was still in progress. He smiled to himself as he remembered how excited his dad had been. Hopefully the date had gone as well for his father as his own night had been with Glenn.
    By pure coincidence his phone rang as he was thinking on these things. He looked down to see it was his father. "Hey," Jason said, trying to sound cheerful yet casual.
    "Hope I didn't wake you," his father said. Jason knew just by the tone of his voice that things must have gone well. The lilt in his dad's voice told Jason his dad was happy.
    "Nah, not at all. Just got out of the shower, and I'm checkin email. How was your evening?"
    "Oh, it was fine."
    "Fine? Just fine?" Jason teased.
    "Well, maybe a little better than just fine."
    "Great," Jason said, smiling as if his dad could see him.
    "Uh, that's kind of why I'm calling," he went on. "Laura is leaving tonight to head back to Dallas. She wants me to fly out there tomorrow so I can do a presentation for her company."
    "Fantastic!" Jason said.
    "But we have the last day of the trade show."
    "Don't