Red Flag

2. Missing

"I'm concerned, Lorne. Three days, now. Not a word from Nathan."

"But you told me the other evening that he has a history of acting like this."

"Yeah." I blew a loud sigh. "Yeah, he does. But he's always come simpering back the next day – acting like a contrite puppy. Never more than a day, though. Not like this."

"Hmmm! Where does he go? Stay with family?"

"They're all back east – New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. He takes a hotel room. I should check."

"Check?"

"Online banking. His credit card. Recent activity."

"Can you get access to it?"

"I have it – it's under my account – necessary because I pay all his charges."

"Oh!" There was a pause on the phone before Lorne continued, "I'll leave you to it, then. Not a good time to discuss examining your publishing contract."

"Oh, dear! I derailed your call, didn't I?"

"No, it's fine. You have more immediate concerns."

"That'll take only a minute or two. When had you thought of meeting?"

"My afternoon is free. Your choice."

"You could come over now. I have nothing but writing."

"Hmmm!" Lorne paused a few seconds. "Awkward if he chooses to return while I'm there."

"Yeah. Away from here would be better. Where's convenient for you?"

"My loft is near Olympic Village."

"Ooh! Close. I'm just across the bridge on Marinaside Crescent."

"But even closer – I moor in Quayside Marina. We could meet aboard."

"You have a boat?"

"Yeah, sailing's one of my passions."

"Mmmm! So, where do we meet? When?"

"I'm aboard now. Find your contract, and I'll meet you by the gate at the foot of Davie in fifteen minutes."

"The file's in my computer. I'll bring it and be there in ten or less."

"Great!"

While I scrambled to stuff my computer, phone and wallet into a backpack, my mind rambled. Sailing – my dream activity. No, Lorne's my dream activity. My diddle fantasy. Stupid fricking me, why hadn't I realised he's ace? And how had I missed that he's infatuated with me? That he has been since forever?

Why did I give up on him and go searching? Natural hormonal craving, I suppose. Misread his lack of interest – started with Nathan. But even there, it's always my fingers, never his quickies. Fingers would work with Lorne. Silly! Of course, they would; fantasising about him always pops me. His being asexual doesn't matter.

I blew out a deep breath. Enough! Need to get going.

A few minutes later, at the marina gate, Lorne took my offered hand to his lips, and I heaved a heavy sigh. All the wasted years.

"You appear to be distraught, Kate. About your findings with Nathan's card?"

Darn my rush. "No, I've not yet looked. Thought I'd do it aboard. Hmmm! That's being dishonest, Lorne. Forgot to look. Thoughts of you distracted me."

"Thoughts of me?" He continued holding my hand as he guided me through the gate and down the ramp.

"Yeah, thinking of the wasted years. Never entered my mind that you're ace. Wouldn't have mattered had I known."