Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

asked Mauricio a couple of times and all Javier got was that they had attended school together. Maybe it had been college. Not many hints about Esteban's profession there, because Mauricio had dropped out and hated to recall that time.
    Javier had met Esteban, piece by piece, like the puzzle the man actually was. First his voice, next his cologne and his beautiful handwriting. It had been hard to resist reading those letters, but something told him he'd better respect the privacy of Esteban and Mauricio. Javier had to work on Saturday nights, during the only time that Esteban could visit Mauricio, so by the time Javier got home, all that was left behind was that delicious smell, and his happy husband. Because nothing made Mauricio happier than spending time with his old friend; although, there were occasions when he had been sad, and melancholy after one of Esteban's visits too.
    The more Javier thought about Esteban, the more intrigued Javier felt. Even so, he'd hesitated to call him again. Every time they spoke, Esteban had said to call him if Javier needed anything, but being the educated person he was, it was probably a formality.
    It had taken only ten minutes to be ready, during which Javier got together essential clothes, his meds, his favorite musical instruments, which were the ones Mauricio bought for him, and the briefcase with Esteban's letters. His father wasn't home, so he told his mother he was going to Jersey to visit his brother-in-law. She seemed concerned, but relieved at the same time.
    Javier was so anxious to leave that he waited outside.
    An expensive car arrived, parked a few meters from where he stood, and two men got out. Both walked toward Javier, side by side— tall, dark and good-looking. A familiar resemblance announced to the world they must be related, but at the same time, a closer look showed how different they were. Javier felt grateful for the seconds that would take him to reach the pair, because it would give him enough time to disguise his surprise at one of them being a priest.
    A part of him felt disappointed, hoping, almost praying that the one using the Roman collar was not Esteban, but the other man's body language didn't match that educated voice he'd fallen for over the phone. Whoever he was, this one walked like a predator, slow, sensual, and with a movement of hips that announced to the world the amazing lover he could be. Indeed, he strode forward subtly pushing his groin as if it were a badge of sorts. Never his type, this kind of blatant sexuality had always scared Javier.
    Not that he wanted to find a new lover, even though Mauricio had begged him to go out and start a new life. As if that were easy with his current condition. On the other hand, the fact that he analyzed these men as possible partners could mean his dormant libido was awakening.
    Once they stood in front of him, he confirmed a resemblance so strong that Javier wondered if they were twins.
    That voice that could get him warm and fuzzy in a naughty way, addressed him while a firm handshake took possession of his right hand.
    "Javier, right? It's so nice to meet you."
    So, that settled it, Esteban was the priest. Welcome to purgatory, Javier.
    There was no use denying it, he had developed a crush on Esteban during these weeks while they spoke over the phone, and now, said crush had been crushed, pun intended. The man was a Catholic priest for God's sake.
    For the first time in months, Javier noticed another man's body, along with that smile and those amazing eyes.
    Too bad, Esteban not only was HIV negative, but a Catholic priest. Javier summed up to himself hoping the news sank once and for all, while he said the first thing that came to his mind.
    "You don't look Hispanic at all."
    Esteban smiled. "But I'm Latin, one hundred percent, my family came from Italy and Spain."
    Javier returned the smile. "My grandparents came from Andalusia, Spain."
    "Interesting, mine are from Asturias."
    This time Javier briefly looked Esteban up and down again.
    Asturias, that explained it all, the height, the light eyes, and the temperament. In that moment, the other man at his side told Esteban, "You forgot the twice Italian part."
    Esteban turned to him. "This is my brother Raul Hidalgo. Raul, this is Javier Lozano, a friend of Mauricio who kindly took care of something Mauricio left for me. And who is coming with us to New Jersey."
    A friend? Javier wondered if he should correct him and explain that he was actually