"I mean it, dude. Tell him to f.u.c.k off, or I will."

"Robbie," Wish sighed. "Would you please just back off?"

"Don't tell me you're falling for his s.h.i.t. He's a pro. He's paid to make you believe he wants you."

"Whereas you're strictly amateur," Bennie said, shaking his head. He stood and left to find the waitress.

"Thank f.u.c.k. I thought he'd never get the point," Bennie heard Robbie say as he picked up his knife and fork.

Wish looked around, and Bennie nodded when he looked his way before turning back to the waitress. He walked back to the table and set a magazine down in front of Wish. It was open to a photo shoot Bennie had done for one of the high-end designers a few months ago. Robbie leaned over Wish, and they both looked up at Bennie. Wish's eyes were wide, but Robbie narrowed his.

"Nice try, a.s.shole. You look a lot like him, but I don't believe you." He started to close the magazine, but Wish s.n.a.t.c.hed it away from Robbie. He looked back up at Bennie and smiled.

The dimples were enough to make Bennie grin back. He leaned over and wrote his contact information across one of the photos. "That's my number. Please, use it." He looked into Wish's eyes. "Anytime." Then he turned and walked away, back toward the waitress.

"Robbie, you really are an a.s.shole. Enjoy your lunch," Bennie heard Wish say. He turned, and Wish walked past him, the magazine tucked under his arm. "Excuse me, Miss?" he said to the waitress.

"Kayla," she said as she looked between the two of them. "Is there a problem?"

"Yes, a big one, but it's not yours," Wish said, giving her a friendly smile. She grinned back, and Bennie was sure she was just as taken with his dimples as he had been when he first saw them that morning. "I think you should cut him off," he said, jerking his thumb back toward where Robbie still sat.

"No problem. He gives me the creeps." She shuddered, and Bennie laughed.

"To be honest, me too," Wish whispered conspiratorially. "But he's been a friend of sorts for a long time. Now, this should cover all three of our meals, but don't tell him it's been paid." He laid a hundred dollar bill on the counter in front of her. "Make him sweat it out for a while."

Bennie chuckled as she smiled and said, "You got it."

Wish left and went back to the booth, and Bennie watched Robbie slam his hands down on his thighs. He wanted to go help, but Wish just leaned on the table, staring Robbie down.

Finally, Robbie leaned over and reached into his pocket, almost rolling off the edge of the booth in the process. He held his cell phone up in front of his face and tried to read the screen for a few seconds before he clumsily covered his right eye with one hand, as if that would help him focus. He swayed in his seat staring at it until Wish reached over and took it from his hand. Bennie watched Wish shake his head and toss the phone back to Robbie as he said something. Wish waited while Robbie wobbled to one side to take something else out of his pocket and hand it over. Wish nodded and came back to where he had left them standing.

"What was that about?" Bennie asked.

"He got a text and couldn't read it, so he asked me to," Wish said, shaking his head.

"Bad news?"

Wish looked up at Bennie. "It was from our friend Nate."

"The guy in Taos?"

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"They may have talked about him after you left this morning." Bennie didn't want to tell Wish what it was about. He'd had enough of letting those guys make Wish feel bad.

"Of course," Wish said with a sigh. "Well, it seems the guy Robbie recommended had to go to the clinic to get some penicillin shots this morning, but he will try to meet up with us later this afternoon."

"That's just...." Bennie started, but he couldn't think of what it was besides just plain nasty.

"Disgusting? Yeah. I think I'll just leave him for Robbie." Wish turned to the waitress and held his hand out. "These are his keys. If he tries to take them back, call the cops or something. He can use the time to dry out and cool off."

She took the key ring, then pulled Wish in for a hug. "You really are a great friend. He's lucky to have you in his life."

"Well, he was, anyway." Wish turned to Bennie. "Can I drop you somewhere?"

"I'm staying at the Parkfield, if you don't mind."

"No problem. I don't really have anywhere to be." He smiled, and Bennie was amazed at the difference in his demeanor from this morning. Wish turned and went to the door, holding it open so Bennie could step out. He put on a pair of sungla.s.ses and walked next to Bennie out to the car. When they got to it, he walked around to the pa.s.senger side with Bennie. Instead of reaching out to open it, as Bennie expected, Wish put his arm around Bennie's waist and spun him around. He backed Bennie into the car and leaned against him, putting one hand on the back of Bennie's neck to tug him down for a kiss. Bennie resisted for a second before wrapping both arms around Wish's waist and returning it, opening his lips when Wish licked along his bottom lip. Wish didn't plunge right in, though. He spent forever just trailing Bennie's full lips with his tongue, nibbling, then biting harder and licking the pain away. Bennie moaned into Wish's mouth and jerked Wish's hips closer to grind his erection against the one he could feel in Wish's pants. Wish eased back and gave him a few more small kisses. He was panting when he pulled back and leaned his forehead against Bennie's. "I've been wanting to do that all day."

"I'm glad you finally did."

Wish laughed and pulled away, dragging Bennie with him a few steps. Then he opened the door and motioned for Bennie to sit before he started around to the driver's side. Bennie could see him adjust himself before settling in.

"So, what's next for you, Bennie?"

"Well, I've got to get ready for a shoot at a new resort in Australia in a couple of weeks, but I'm free until Monday."

"A new resort? Where in Australia?"

"One of the islands up north. It caters to same-s.e.x couples."

"Summer's Pointe?"

Bennie looked over at Wish. "You know it?"

"Yeah." Wish smiled, those dimples going straight to Bennie's heart. "The owner is a friend. Havi's invited me to come over, but Robbie kept finding reasons for me not to go."

"Well, nothing's stopping you from going now." Bennie reached over to take Wish's hand.

"You're right. Mind if a pasty, chubby guy tags along? I promise not to stalk you."

"I'd like that," Bennie said. He lifted their hands, kissed Wish's knuckles, and smiled broadly. "It would be like a Wish come true."

Epilogue.

May 25

"YOU ready, Wish?" ready, Wish?"

Ally looked up from his computer to see Beau, the resort's dive master, standing next to his lounge chair. He held what looked like a really thin wetsuit in one hand. "Do we have to?" he whined.

"Now come on. You promised Bennie and Havi you'd get your certification so you could go diving with them. I got nothing else scheduled for today, so let's go do your checkouts." He held up the thin dive skin. Ally noticed bright red flowers tattooed on the underside of Beau's upper arm. Bennie didn't have any ink because of his career, but Ally was starting to consider getting some himself. How bad would that hurt? he wondered before exhaling exaggeratedly.

"Fine." He pouted and shut his computer. It wasn't like there was anything going on that couldn't wait anyway. He'd gotten up in the middle of the night to call Emille about some foundation business, and there was an e-mail from Harley saying Robbie had been hounding him, trying to get Ally's new contact information. He stood and grabbed the Lycra from Beau's hand, chuckling as he followed Beau down the dock to the boat. The suit had the same pattern as the sarong Bennie had worn the day they met, except this was a deep purple, with green flowers. He a.s.sumed there was a blue one in Bennie's size to match it somewhere on the boat. He climbed aboard and helped Beau untie from the dock before going below to change from his shorts into the tiny budgie smugglers they called a swimsuit on the island. He pulled the dive skin up to his waist but left the top half off and tied the sleeves around his waist over the bottom of his polo shirt to keep from burning in the sun. He applied a layer of sunscreen to his head, put his sungla.s.ses back on, and went back up to the deck. He ran one hand along the railing as he slowly made his way to the padded bench behind Beau's captain's seat.

"We ain't going out very far, just around to the lagoon. Won't take long." Beau pointed to his right as he started the boat. Ally smiled when he noticed the black silicon O-ring Beau used as a wedding band when he was working. They traveled around the point of the island and turned, revealing a lush lagoon with white sand beaches and clear blue-green water.

Ally noticed a lot of people moving about on the white-sand beach and recognized Bennie's shape among them. "Are they shooting the ad over here?"

"Yep." Beau grinned. He waved, and Ally followed his gaze. Abram, Beau's husband, was on sh.o.r.e. A ma.s.sage table was set up under a canopy off to the side. A table full of drinks and snacks was set up under a tent next to Abram's works.p.a.ce. He waved them forward. Beau cut the engine and let the boat drift toward the sh.o.r.eline. After floating a few yards closer, he jumped out, grabbed the rope on the bow, and started to drag it forward until it beached. Abram waded out to meet him. When he reached out to grab the rope and help bring the boat in, Beau grabbed him around the waist and lifted, spinning him around and kissing him. "Hey, babe," Ally heard him say.

Ally looked around and saw Bennie walking through the waves toward the boat, holding a large box over his head as the water got deeper. "Hey, Wish."

"What are you doing, you nut?" Ally laughed. He took the box from Bennie and set it on the seats. "Get in here." He held a hand out, and Bennie took it, but he pulled hard, dragging Ally over the edge. He landed with a splash.

He surfaced, sputtering, but laughing as Bennie held onto him until Ally steadied himself in the chest-deep water. He gently wiped the water from Ally's face. "Sorry, Wish. I couldn't help it."

"Well, you're going to pay for it," Ally said as he grabbed Bennie, pushing Bennie's back against the boat. He leaned in, almost close enough to kiss. Bennie bent forward to meet Ally's lips, but Ally pulled back at the last moment. He laughed, and Ally did it again, teasing Bennie a few more times before relenting and taking a kiss. Bennie brought his hands up to rub them over Ally's head as Ally deepened the kiss.

Bennie pulled back and stared at Ally. "Where's your hat?"

"Um. It must have fallen when you pulled me out of the boat?"

"Sure it did. Wish, you need to wear your hat. I don't want you baking your noodle out here." Bennie rubbed Ally's head, and Ally closed his eyes and leaned into the touch.

"I'm glad you're worried about my noodle." Ally grinned and wiggled his eyebrows at Bennie. When Bennie just stared at him, he sighed. "Fine. I'll make sure I wear one. Okay, Dad?"

"Yes." Bennie beamed like a five-year-old winning an argument. He moved around to the platform on the back of the boat and lifted himself up. He pulled on Ally's hand. "Come on. Open your present."

"Present?" Ally asked.

"Yeah. I got you something."

"What?"

Bennie tilted his head back and rolled his eyes. "That's why you have to open open it, silly." He helped Ally up and held him close. Then he turned and pushed Ally forward. "Come on, Wish," he said quietly. it, silly." He helped Ally up and held him close. Then he turned and pushed Ally forward. "Come on, Wish," he said quietly.

Ally took his hand and pulled him along to sit down next to him. He picked up the box, held it next to his head, and shook it. It was light, and the contents slid from one end to other. "What is it?"

"Open it." Bennie nodded at it.

Ally set the box on his lap and carefully pulled the ribbon apart and off the box. He folded it and set it on the seat next to them. Then he ran a finger along the inside and popped the tape holding it. He lifted the lid off the top and it aside, putting the ribbon in it.

"Will you just rip it open like a normal person?" Bennie laughed.

He pulled the paper back and looked inside. He didn't understand what he was looking at. "Is this a blanket?"

"Nope." Bennie smiled and shook his head.

Ally ran his hand over it. "A towel?"

"Yep." Bennie picked it up and stood up to shake it out. "It's a bamboo bath sheet."

Ally looked at the huge towel. It was a light green, with Wish Wish sewn into one end of it. Ally ran his hands over the soft fabric, unsure of what to think. Bennie stepped forward and wrapped it around Ally, pulling him up to hold him tight. sewn into one end of it. Ally ran his hands over the soft fabric, unsure of what to think. Bennie stepped forward and wrapped it around Ally, pulling him up to hold him tight.

"You bought me a towel?" Ally looked up into Bennie's blue eyes. "Why?"

"I wanted to make sure you had a good one for today."

"Today?" Ally looked around the boat, as if he could find a calendar in the gentle waves lapping against its hull.

"Hey, Wish?"

Ally turned back to Bennie, his confusion evident on his face. "Yeah?"

"Don't panic," Bennie said with a sly smile and a knowing look in his eyes.

Ally shook his head. "You mean you've read...."

"Yes, I've read The Hitchhikers' Guide The Hitchhikers' Guide, and I know what today is." He c.o.c.ked an eyebrow at Ally and nodded. "I also know you're a big old nerd. Tell me: how would you have celebrated Towel Day back home?"

Ally could feel the blush starting on the back of his neck, working its way over his whole head. "Probably just sitting at home, wishing I had the guts to go out and meet a couple of friends from the Internet, or hang out with another nerd, someone who understands me."

Bennie squeezed him. He put a hand on the side of Ally's face and tilted it up to look in his eyes. "Well, I'm a nerd too. My towel's over there, and I think I understand you pretty well." He pointed to Abram's table. It looked blue from where Ally stood. When Ally looked back at him, he leaned down and kissed him lightly. "So wish no more."

About the Author.

XARA X. X X. XANAKAS decided years ago to embrace her weirdness. A friend first described her that way to the man who's been her husband for over twenty years. That formula fits her, and she figures if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Being Texan, her crush on cowboys comes natural, but the techie in her loves to show nerds a good time. She relishes all things different, and brings saucy style to her writing. Whether wrangling a wayward ranch hand or adding another critter to her were-menagerie, Xara strives to make the outlandish appealing. She'll make you quirk a brow and snort with laughter, and that's all right by her. Xara believes that unique is best and happily ever after is the icing on the cookies. decided years ago to embrace her weirdness. A friend first described her that way to the man who's been her husband for over twenty years. That formula fits her, and she figures if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Being Texan, her crush on cowboys comes natural, but the techie in her loves to show nerds a good time. She relishes all things different, and brings saucy style to her writing. Whether wrangling a wayward ranch hand or adding another critter to her were-menagerie, Xara strives to make the outlandish appealing. She'll make you quirk a brow and snort with laughter, and that's all right by her. Xara believes that unique is best and happily ever after is the icing on the cookies.

Give her a shout out at her website: http://xaraxanakas.com/, connect with her through Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4563850.Xara_X_Xanakas, or follow her on twitter: http://twitter.com/xaraxanakas and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/xaraxanakas.