Sleigh Ride (Minnesota Christmas Book 2) by Heidi Cullinan Page A

Anderson’s ex-lover was someone he wanted to get to know better. It turned out it didn’t take much to get Paul talking. He was a gregarious man eager to make friends, particularly with other gay men. Paul was, Gabriel quickly realized, hitting on him.
    Paul wasn’t his type. But when Paul asked if he wanted to grab lunch at the cafe, Gabriel said he’d love nothing more.
    This was how he ended up on a date with Arthur’s ex, an outing during which he learned many, many interesting things. Because Gabriel didn’t have to bring Arthur up. He appeared in conversation all on his own.
    “He’s my best friend, and I love him,” Paul said around a mouthful of chili, “but sometimes I want to punch him in the face.”
    Gabriel definitely knew the feeling. “He’s a bit of a bull in a china shop.”
    Paul snorted and spooned up more of his lunch. “He’s bullheaded, for sure. Once he gets something in his craw, you need a two-by-four to get rid of it.” He shook his head and ate his next bite before continuing. “We sort of dated, but mostly we were fuck buddies. And while we were never exclusive, I realized by making him my main sexual partner, I couldn’t ever be more than casual with anyone. So I broke it off. I’m not even hanging out with him now that I’ve moved out, which is rough, because for ten years we lived together.”
    Gabriel blinked. “Goodness. I can’t imagine he took your leaving very well.”
    “He’s still shitting bricks over it, near as I can tell.” Paul rolled his eyes. “That pisses me off. He doesn’t want to be my boyfriend. He enjoys the convenience of having me handy. I don’t want to be handy. I want a real relationship. I didn’t realize how much until I saw Marcus and Frankie get together. Thing is, I can’t figure out who I want it with yet.”
    Gabriel poked at his sandwich. “I stopped trying to find a relationship a long time ago. No one wants one. They just want to hook up. And the ones who do want one…aren’t what I want. So I don’t bother trying.”
    “Except with Arthur.” When Gabriel looked up in surprise, Paul laughed. “Hey, this is a small town. He started sniffing around you? I was the first person everybody came to. They were hoping for drama.” His eyes twinkled as he bit into his roll. “Now, this what we’re doing right here? This is gonna cause some nice fireworks.”
    Gabriel paused with his sandwich halfway to his mouth. “What do you mean?”
    “I mean you’re the guy Arthur took to a fancy steakhouse, and now you’re having lunch with me. Frankly I’m surprised he hasn’t showed up here yet to piss a circle around you and mark his territory.”
    “What? Ew.” Gabriel tossed down his sandwich. “That’s disgusting.”
    Paul chuckled. “Well, I didn’t mean it literally. Though he’d probably about try anything once. He’s a lot of things, but he’s not shy in bed. And, I admit with regret, a tough act to follow.”
    Gabriel tried not to let his cheeks color. He was pretty sure he failed. “Hmm.”
    Paul winked at him as he ran his roll around his nearly empty bowl, sopping up the last of his beans. “It’s all right. I already know you two got busy. Everyone else assumes, but I know.”
    Now Gabriel was appalled. “He told you?”
    “What? Oh hell no. He wouldn’t ever. But—” He cut himself off as he glanced out the window, then grinned as whatever was outside got his full attention. “Yeah. There he goes. Ooh, shit, but he’s pissed. Heh. Good for you, Arthur. And good for you, Gabriel.”
    Heartbeat quickening, Gabriel peered out the window past the frost in time to see Arthur’s red truck peeling out of the parking lot. His spirits sagged. “Why is that good? He left. Why didn’t he come in?” He realized how much he’d revealed and blushed.
    “Are you kidding? He saw me on an actual date with a guy the other day and got annoyed that I fucked the status quo. He heard a rumor you were out with me, saw us