Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

enough time for a real relationship. The idea made Scott a little nauseous.
    "You about ready, gorgeous?"
    Scott jumped when he heard Jimmy's voice behind him, "Every damn time, Christ." He was about to offer another complaint, but when he turned to look at Jimmy, his breath caught in his chest. The man stood in front of him in an honest to God suit. Charcoal gray, over a crisp white shirt, hand painted silk tie knotted in a classic Windsor.
    "What?" Jimmy asked at the expression on Scott's face, looking down at himself, "My fly down or something?"
    "No, just…" You look good enough to eat. "Just never seen you dressed up is all."
    "That can't be true. My cousin's wedding? I was in a tux for that."
    "I was so hung over I barely remembered to wear shoes for that. You could've been in boxers and a bow tie and I wouldn't have noticed."
    Jimmy laughed at the memory, nodding, "Hell of a bachelor party, though."
    "The bits I can remember…"
    Another laugh, "True. We gotta get going, though. You ready?"
    Looking Jimmy over again, "Maybe I should put on some slacks? Or…?"
    "You look good, I only put this on 'cause I know Tina." Waving his hand vaguely, as if he didn't know the words to describe the woman, "She's gonna be all…"
    Nodding, understanding exactly what Jimmy meant, he followed the man to the door.
    ****
    As Jimmy walked up the path to Tina's door, Scott climbed into the backseat of the man's car, watching through the window as Jimmy offered his arm to the girl. Her hair was done up in a sophisticated knot, loose tendrils curling around her face. Jimmy was right to wear a suit. Tina was wearing a little black dress that exposed one shoulder, clung to every curve of her body, and looked like it cost about as much as Scott's car. Her heels were at least four inches high and it put her right at Jimmy's shoulder. They looked perfect together.
    As he felt the jealousy burning up inside him, Scott tried to remember they were on their way to pick up his own date.
    Jimmy got the door for her and Tina slid inside the Charger. "Scott," she said, looking over her shoulder with a sweet smile for him, "Could you tell Jimmy that he's supposed to bring me a little something when he asks me out on short notice and takes me to something my own grandparents wouldn't find exciting."
    He couldn't help but laugh, Tina's teasing grin and easy nature one of her many fine qualities. "I'd try but I think he's a hopeless case."
    "I concur. Maybe I should withhold sex as a reminder."
    "That might work." he agreed, laughing with her as Jimmy got in.
    "What might work?" Jimmy asked, looking between the two.
    "Earplugs," she told Jimmy seriously, "for tonight. Scott and I were trying to decide how best to get through it." Tina flashed Scott a wink and another grin from the front seat. Even as she slipped her hand over Jimmy's knee, he had to admit he liked the girl.
    Scott had texted Rob when they were close to his apartment and the man was waiting on the curb for them. He greeted Tina with a gracious smile and took her hand as she got out and let him into the back seat. "Jimmy, how did you bribe this gorgeous woman into a mercy date with you?" Rob teased as he leaned in to kiss Scott, grinning against his mouth.
    "He doesn't know it yet, but he's going to donate his sperm to my sister and her partner. They're looking for someone tall, dark, handsome, and well educated."
    "And you accused him of not bringing anything." Scott joked, assuming Tina was teasing too.
    "He didn't bring anything for me ." she pointed out, shifting in her seat a little and adding, "But it would more than make up for it if he gave me a little niece or nephew…"
    Jimmy had only laughed when she first said it, but now he was glancing at her in a mild terror, eyes wide, "What, seriously?"
    "Yes." Sounding more like a lawyer than the girl they occasionally hung out with, "They're open to letting the donor have visitation or, if the three parties could come to an agreement, co-custody. They're also open to total secrecy as to the donor's identity if that's preferred by the man. By you , hopefully."
    Jimmy looked on the verge of hysteria and Scott was too shocked to comment, but Rob was near giddy. "My God, we should hang out together more often. I like her."
    Finding his voice, Jimmy asked, "You want me to knock your sister up?"
    "No. I want you to donate some sperm so it can knock my sister's partner up. Carol doesn't want to carry the baby, but Stacy does."
    "Right.