Wingman Wednesday-Friends and Lovers

Welcome to another Wingman Wednesday. This scene is from my romantic suspense, Friends and Lovers. Enjoy. 
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An hour later Wes and Chuck left the station. Wes clipped his cuffs back onto his belt and headed over to the driver’s side.

“Now what?” he asked across the roof.

Chuck gave it some thought. “I know it’s early but I could eat. Vickie’s grapefruit diet is killing me. I need a big juicy burger, and if you sell me out to my wife I’ll have to kill you.”

Wes laughed. “Noted. A hamburger sounds good.”

“But let’s walk over. It’ll give the car more time to air out. Goddamned alcohol fumes were making my eyes burn.”

Wes stepped back with his hands up, key ring bouncing against his palm, and grinned. “Now you’re talking. You sure you can handle a Broiler burger? Maybe we should find you a bib?”

Chuck snorted. “The wife will never know if I roll up my sleeves. Hell, I’ll open my shirt if I have to.”

“My day’s getting better and better,” said Wes dryly.

They cut across the parking lot, hopped a couple of curbs, and after a brief wait at the crosswalk, finally placed their orders at the window. The enticing smell of caramelized onion, sizzling beef, and crispy fries hung in the air.

Wes’s mouth was already watering when he picked up his tray and they claimed an empty picnic table. He bit into his burger then tugged a napkin out of the dispenser on the table, stopping a drip before it reached his watch. Glancing up at his partner, he snickered at all the napkins strategically poking out from between his buttons. At least the guy was still dressed.

“So, you start teaching tonight?” Chuck asked, munching a fry.

“That’s right.” Wes shook his head. “It’s funny how some things just seem to work out, like me dropping by the gym and finding out they were already looking for someone to take over the class.”

He took another bite, mulling it over as he chewed. Swallowing, he reached for his glass, using the straw as a pointer. “You should come too.”

Chuck screwed up his face in distaste. “No way. Unlike you, I have a woman who would miss me if I didn’t come home right away.”

“Rub it in.”

“Every chance I get.” Chuck popped a pickle into his mouth. “You really should give that woman at the shelter a call. It’s pretty obvious she floated your boat. What’s her name again?” He thought about it for a second and snapped his fingers. “Lauren.”

Wes set his burger down and blotted the corner of his mouth as it curled up. “Way ahead of you, big guy.”

“Good. There was something happening there, no denying it.”

Wes reached for his soda. “Is that right?”

“Most definitely.”

Wes grinned and slipped his straw between his lips, allowing that comment to be the last thing said on the subject.

 
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