Bob’s news called for a celebration and in Reid’s ‘operation instructions’ that meant food. So when the doctor made his last round of the day, Luke arranged lunch at the Lakeview.
As they walked in, Reid noticed the twinkle in Luke’s eye and was getting suspicious.
“This will be just you and me, right?’
Luke nodded.
“Why do you ask?”
“Something’s up,” Reid searched Luke’s face for clues and his lover was trying just a little too hard to look innocent. He grumbled softly.
“Reid…” Luke made him look at him, “please trust me. Yes, I arranged something special, because it is a very special occasion. But I know you’ll love it. And it involves food.”
“So did yesterday’s dinner,” Reid replied, half jokingly.
“It will be you and me. And…something.”
That didn’t ease his mind one bit and Luke knew it. He looked absolutely wicked.
The waiter, recognizing Luke, waved them in and brought them into a separate part of the restaurant Reid hadn’t seen before. All seats were high-backed and it offered a lot of privacy. Reid felt a smile coming up. Privacy was good.
Their table was a surprise too. Next to the usual setting was a smaller table. Reid’s smile grew and he kissed Luke on his temple.
“This is perfect. And another first. I never had a chess lunch before.”
Luke was pretty pleased with himself and didn’t try to hide it.
“I’m happy you like it.”
“What’s not to like?” Reid sat down and picked up the queen piece. “You, food and chess. Welcome to my perfect world.” He looked Luke deeply in his eyes. “Thank you very much.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“It’s a beautiful set, too.” Reid caressed the queen with his thumb. “They don’t worry about greasy fingers or do we play after lunch?”
“Greasy fingers are no problem, so you can make your first move.”
“Are you sure you want me to do that here?”
With his typical ambiguous grin and raised eyebrow, he returned his queen to her own little world and moved his pawn.
“Enjoy your game,” the waiter handed them a menu, wrote down their requests for drinks and left with a “I’ll be back later to take your order.”
Reid was obviously pleased as Punch and Luke couldn’t be happier.
Somewhere in the middle of their lunch, Reid started to assume this combination of chess and food was created to give Luke a chance to win. The good meal distracted him from the game and again he watched Luke with some suspicion.
“What?”
After verbalizing his thoughts, Luke laughed. “No, I had no hidden agenda, but it is good to know… maybe I can come up with more ways to distract you then,” as he put his hand on Reid’s.
“Believe me,” Reid smiled, “you can claim my attention any time.”
Their fingers started a game of their own until Luke refuted Reid’s remark with a calm: “No, I can’t.”
Reid looked startled. “You don’t question my loyalty, do you?”
“Of course not, silly,” Luke softly squeezed his hand, “and it’s not meant as criticism. It’s just life. You have a demanding job and when you become chief of staff, your workload will even increase. It’s important to be realistic about that.”
“You’re right,” Reid nodded, completely serious. “And you’re also right bringing this up. Bob already mentioned it too. Something about hoping we were ready for it.”
“What did you answer?”
“That we would make it work,” Reid smiled and Luke returned the favour, “And I have no doubt about that, but you’re right… it’s important to stay realistic about it. No walking into hospital rooms when I’m there with a patient.”
His grin was teasing, but Luke felt ashamed anyway.
“I know,” he looked at the table, “I can be such a spoiled brad.”
It was Reid’s turn for squeezing hands and his smile was tender. “You surely are a formidable adversary in the haughty manner department. What can I say? I like my men tough.”
“Hey!” Luke’s grin was big and lovely. “You think you’re going to win points by repeating my words back to me?”
They both chuckled and then returned to the issues on the table: chess, lunch and time management.
While Luke was considering his next move, Reid enjoyed his sandwich and collected his thoughts. His earlier confidence about making it work – heartfelt as it was at that moment – started to crumble. He had no experience with relationships. None. Zip. Zero. He had been caring for himself, just for himself, for a long, long time. He didn’t understand the dynamics. He didn’t know the rules. This confidence about making it work… was it based on trust or arrogance?
Luke surprised him with a calm: “You’re having second thoughts.”
“Not about you,” Reid spoke with great emphasis and started explaining his scepticism. He saw a flash of panic in Luke eyes and cursed himself. He didn’t want Luke feeling insecure. Ever. But he had underestimated Luke. His partner in love didn’t go into hiding. Better yet, he came up with a solution.
“So how about this,” Luke moved a chessman and continued, “What if we don’t assume that we’ll make it work, but ask ourselves how we can make it work.”
Something immediately resonated in Reid’s brain and he nodded.
“That sounds good.”
“And keep asking ourselves,” Luke added, into deep thought.
“Sounds even better. And familiar,” Reid felt excitement and some new solid ground to build on. He knew this!
“It’s how I approach every patient! I don’t assume anything. I get my facts straight and I ask myself what this patient, what this situation needs to make it better.”
Luke eyes lit up. “Now that you mention it… I recognize it too. With the foundation… with every application we get, I ask myself: what does this project need to make it successful. And yes, sometimes that’s money, but a lot of times it’s something else. New structures, new management… stuff like that.”
Their hands on the table joined as one.
“This is so powerful,” Reid shook his head in amazement. “This makes sense.”
“So strictly speaking our relationship is like a business deal,” Luke contemplated.
“Excuse me? That’s taking it a little…”
Luke raised his hand. “Please let me finish. Just brainstorming, you can shoot holes in it when I’m done. But in a way we’re starting this company. With only two managers. You and me. And we choose this merger, because we both feel we can turn this company into a successful enterprise. With a lot of win-win opportunities,” his grin was absolutely adorable, “And as in any successful business, we base our decisions on what’s best for the company.”
All Reid could do, was look at him and Luke felt shy, still not used to the admiration and respect that came his way.
“That is absolutely brilliant, Luke. And tangible, even for a relationship virgin like me.”
The blond man felt ten feet tall. His confidence in himself and in their union hit the roof.
It made him oblivious to what was coming and he answered Reid’s question – “The win-win you mentioned…does it also mean I can be happy for you when you win? And you can be happy for me when I win?” – with his characteristic smile.
“But of course!”
“Good. Start being ecstatically happy for me, then. Checkmate.”
