Flipping the Switch by Brigham Vaughn

FOUR

The sky was barely beginning to lighten the following morning when Jude unlocked the door to the construction disaster that might one day, hopefully, be his restaurant. He hadn’t gotten nearly enough sleep—Tony had stayed quite late—but oh well. It had been worth it.

Tony had been delightful as always and Jude was only sorry that they weren’t well matched long-term.

Jude dropped off his laptop bag and re-locked the door before strolling south on 1^st Street, walking briskly in the late-fall air. Frost clung to the windshields of the cars he passed, and he fogged the air with every breath he took.

Jude had spent most of the summer driving back and forth from the nearby town of Fort Benton, but once work began on the restaurant he had rented a place. It hadn’t taken long for him to see Pendleton Bay’s appeal. He winced at the memory from years ago of calling it a town without culture. His ex-boyfriend, Donovan, had bristled over that, because he had fond memories of spending summers with his grandparents here.

Looking at it through fresh eyes had made Jude realize it really was charming. Like any good vacation town, it had delightful little shops and galleries and, as he turned onto Hayward Street, he caught a glimpse of the town’s namesake. Pendleton Bay itself was stunning, especially this time of day. The sun rose behind him and tinged the clouds pink-gold. The waters were placid this morning, blue and streaked with the colors of the sunrise. A pier jutted out into the water and as Jude turned onto Main, he caught a glimpse of Higgins Park as it stretched to the south, a few colorful leaves still clinging to the branches of the trees throughout.

Jude had been feeling spiteful and snobby at the time he’d disparaged Pendleton, but he’d like to think he’d grown up since then. To be fair, Pendleton had too. It had been a small, sleepy town then, but now the place was thriving, with an enormous number of festivals and events throughout the year, a robust chamber of commerce, and a much larger diversity of people than he would have expected. Okay, maybe not racially—it was still pretty damn white compared to Fort Benton or Grand Rapids, but there were thriving LGBTQ and poly communities, which pleased him.

Initially, Jude had scoffed at the Everyone is Welcome motto on the town’s sign as he drove past it last summer, but it appeared that there was a real commitment to that.

He slowed to a stop as he approached Lucas’s Fine Cakes and Pastries. Lights glowed inside and he knew that the bakers had probably begun work around the time he’d fallen asleep. He slipped in the door and let out a happy sigh as the scent of coffee and baked goods greeted him, rich and buttery smells that teased at his nostrils and made his stomach rumble appreciatively.

He stepped in line behind one other person. Later in the day, the bakery and cafe would be bursting at the seams. He’d often seen a line of people out of the door on weekend mornings. But at this hour on a Friday, it was quiet except for soft music playing in the background and the hiss of espresso makers. A few people hunched over their breakfasts, and most looked half-asleep.

Jude wouldn’t mind a little more sleep, but he’d agreed to meet with Logan to get the ball rolling on construction. They needed to finalize the contract, then sign and notarize it.

So, Jude was going to treat him to food and coffee. He’d have preferred to make it for Logan himself, but he’d have to rely on Aimee Lucas this morning.

The moment Jude had arrived in town, he’d fallen in love with the bakery owner. Not romantically, of course, but her pastries made his heart flutter and his knees go weak.

Just as well Jude wasn’t into her that way, since she already had two partners she seemed very happy with. Jude knew Aimee, Josh, and Matt through the local poly community, though he and Donovan had always stayed more on the fringes of it. They hadn’t really been poly, just open to a casual third. For a while, Jude had wondered if they should try a poly relationship, but Donovan had nixed that.

Recently, Donovan had snapped, “Look, if you want a triad with a Dom, go find it,” to him, and Jude had been mulling over the idea ever since.

God would Jude’s family have a field day with that idea. It was one thing to be in a committed relationship and bring in a third from time to time. They’d kept that quiet and discreet. It was quite another to openly be a triad and introduce two partners to his family. His father would probably keel over from a heart attack.

“What can I get you this morning?” The woman behind the counter smiled at Jude. He scanned the offerings quickly, then ordered.

While he waited, he checked his phone to make sure he was still on time. He didn’t want to leave Logan hanging. Yes, Jude could just make it in time if he was quick. The moment he had a bag with breakfast and two coffees in a cardboard carrier in his hot little hands, he strode out of the shop. His brisk pace brought him to the door a few minutes before their meeting time and he carefully set down the coffee to unlock the door again.

Jude had just enough time to seat himself in the window when Logan arrived.

Jude tried not to sigh as Logan came in, cheeks a little pink from the cold, bright smile on his face. Damn, how had Logan gotten so hot without Jude realizing it? There were some men who lost their looks as they aged but Logan Shaw wasn’t one of them. The silvery hair and beard set off his lightly tanned skin and warm brown eyes. He’d never been more handsome.

Jude tried to keep the heart-eyed expression off his face. Why couldn’t he find a switchy guy like that?

“Good morning,” Logan said with a smile.

“Morning,” Jude croaked, head whirling with images of being naked in bed with Logan.

“So, you’re not a morning person, I take it,” Logan said as he shrugged out of his black wool jacket and looked around for a clean place to lay it.

Jude chuckled. “I was up a little late is all.” True, though not why he was staring dumbly at Logan and struggling to form coherent sentences.

“I hope you weren’t worrying about the project.”

“No,” Jude said honestly. “That wasn’t it at all.”

More like his cock had been too insistent about getting in a second round with Tony.

Jude handed Logan a cup of coffee as a distraction.

“Have a seat.” He patted the window seat beside him and gestured to the food he had spread out. “I don’t know if you ate yet, but I got two breakfast wraps. They’re really good, made with a really thin omelet instead of a tortilla as a wrap and rolled with bacon, mushrooms, and spinach. There’s cream and sugar in the bag for your coffee too. And croissants, because they’re some of the best I’ve had outside of France.”

“Thank you. I did have a bite earlier, but that sounds too good to resist. I knew I liked you for a reason,” Logan said with a grin as he sat, his arm brushing Jude’s.

Jude shot him a mock-offended look. “Not just my stunning good looks and witty repartee?”

“Well, it doesn’t hurt. But mostly the coffee.”

“Doesn’t your place have coffee?” Jude frowned. “Where are you staying anyway?”

“A vacation rental off Bay Street. And yes, it has coffee, but I’ll never turn down more of it.”

Jude smiled and reached for one of the breakfast wraps. “Oh yeah, I’d heard the accountant who owned it was renting it out.”

“The accounting office is still open, right? It looked like several people were pulling in just as I left.”

“Yes. The owner, Forrest Patton, used to live above his office until he met his boyfriend and moved into his place.” Jude took a bite of his wrap, sighing happily at the cheesy meltiness and the salty deliciousness of bacon. “They’re an interesting pair,” Jude continued. “I’d met the boyfriend at … well, a local meetup group. Let’s just say he and the accountant are total opposites. Seem happy though. I see them around town quite a bit.”

Logan leaned against the window wall and turned to face Jude. “You ever feel like the world is settling down around you and you just missed the mark?”

“Frequently,” Jude said with a sigh.

“Oh shit, sorry.” Logan winced. “I heard that you and Donovan split, and I know that must have been difficult.”

“Yeah.” Jude sighed again. “It was rough.”

“He seemed like a great guy when I met him, but he was a fool if he let you go.”

Jude smiled at Logan’s words. “You’re kind.”

“I mean it.” Logan’s gaze was sincere as he reached out and grasped Jude’s upper arm.

“I appreciate that. He met someone else recently though and he seems happy.” Jude’s face went warm as he thought of what a fool he’d made of himself when he’d suggested the three of them get involved.

It had all made sense in Jude’s head at the time. Tyler—the bartender at the tavern where Donovan worked—was hot as hell. He was subby too, and when Jude had met him at a kinky mixer the tavern held, he had thought that maybe if the three of them gave it a shot, it could work out. But no, he’d miscalculated that one badly.

Clearly Donovan and Tyler had a monogamous thing going. Somehow, Jude hadn’t grasped that Donovan was over him and had well and truly moved on. He wasn’t pining for Jude the way Jude had been pining for him.

Jude had no one to blame but himself over how humiliated he felt at the memory of their last conversation. What seemed like a brilliant idea in his head fell flat in reality and now, as he glanced around the empty storefront, he winced, wondering if this was just more of the same.

“Hey, where’d you go?” Logan asked with a little frown. He nudged Jude’s thigh with his knee.

Jude shook his head, clearing out the cobwebs. “Just up in my head as usual. Thinking about what an idiot I am for attempting something like this.” He gestured around the place.

“Something like this?” Logan scoffed as he set down his coffee cup. “No, you’re not foolish, Jude. This space is incredible. Your plans are amazing. I am so impressed with the work you’ve done already. We just need to get this project back up and running and we can make your dreams a reality.”

Logan’s words made Jude’s chest warm and a little flicker of hope flame to life again. “I really am appreciative that you’ve come to save my butt.”

“Hey, quit beating yourself up,” Logan said in a gently chastising tone.

Why, are you going to do it for me?Jude bit back the automatic flirty response, squashing the thought before it could leave his mouth. Wildly inappropriate. He liked flirting with Logan, but he needed to keep himself in check, tempting as Logan was.

Logan had always been dominant in real life. Sure, decisive, and take-charge. But Jude reminded himself that it didn’t necessarily translate to Logan’s tastes in the bedroom. In fact, from what Jude had seen, it often meant the opposite. Successful, take-charge men typically longed for someone to take over and relieve them of their stress. Even if Logan was kinky and gay—which Jude had no reason to believe he was—the odds of him being a Dom were slim to none.

Jude sighed internally.

God, what a fucking idiot he was. He needed to focus on work and stop daydreaming. He took a final bite of his breakfast, then crumpled up the wrapper. “Okay, so where do we start?”

“Well, did you get the contract I emailed you last night?”

Jude grimaced. He vaguely remembered seeing it in the unholy mess of his inbox after Tony went home, but he’d been too tired to read through it. “Uh, yes. Haven’t had time to look it over.” He cleared his throat. “A friend came over last night.”

Logan smirked. “A friend, huh?”

Jude grinned. “Yes. A close personal friend.”

“You know, some people would call us that.” Logan took another bite of his breakfast.

Jude nearly choked on the dregs of the coffee in his cup. “Not quite the same type.”

“I thought you said your love life was abysmal,” Logan teased. “Having a close personal friend over sounds like things are on the upswing.”

“I was just bitching earlier. This guy I hooked up with is great. I just don’t think it’ll work long-term, you know?”

“I hear you. I’ve had a few close personal friends like that since my divorce.” Logan drained the last of his coffee, then set down the cup, straightening his shoulders. “So, first things first, I’ll need you to look over the contract. I emailed it to your lawyer for review as well.”

“I promise I’ll get caught up,” Jude said. He stifled a groan, feeling like he was already behind on things. Way to show Logan you have your shit together, he chastised himself.

“It’s fine. I would like the crew to start Monday though.”

“I’ll make it a priority,” Jude promised.

“Now, I want you to walk me through the place again, but tell me exactly how you envision the space down to the last detail.”

“I, uh, have a whole presentation,” Jude admitted. “It’s on my laptop. I used it when I submitted my business plan to the bank.”

He’d inherited a substantial amount of money from his grandfather, but even it wasn’t enough to cover all the costs of opening a brand-new restaurant, especially when he’d bought the space outright. Signing the paperwork for the loan had made Jude’s palms sweat and he’d come close to just bolting out of his seat and telling them he’d changed his mind. Most days he was glad he’d gone through with it, though before Logan appeared, he’d begun to have doubts again.

“I’d love to see the presentation.” Logan gave him a smile. “But I’ll want to hear it all in your words too. I want to hear what you’re passionate about.”

“I understand,” Jude said with a smile. He retrieved his laptop and booted it up.

Logan tossed their trash in a nearby bin, then wandered around, studying the space like he was trying to memorize it, while Jude set his laptop on the makeshift table with the blueprints, then cued up the presentation.

When it was ready, he caught Logan’s attention. “Please, have a seat.” He gestured grandly toward an overturned bucket he’d set up.

Logan chuckled and did as asked.

“Now, prepared to be wowed,” Jude said with another theatrical arm flourish.

“Was this the schtick you used to impress the bank?” Logan asked with a smirk.

“I might have toned it down a little bit for them.”

“Well, I don’t want you to tone anything down for me, Jude,” Logan said with a warm smile. “Just be you. That’s all I want.”

Ugh, if only, Jude thought. But he hit play on the slideshow and began to narrate as it ran.

* * *

“Well, this looks good to me,” Jude’s lawyer said as he tapped the contract at the conference table in his office. “If you feel comfortable with the terms, Jude, I think it’s a solid contract. The only red flag I saw was that Mr. Shaw agreed to waive his usual fee. May I ask why?”

Jude chuckled. “He’s a family friend.”

Edward Lee’s concerned expression deepened. “Getting involved in business with friends or family can be very complicated. Are you sure—”

“I’m sure,” Jude said firmly. “Logan Shaw is the most upstanding guy I know. And I won’t do anything to fuck this up.”

“Oh, I wasn’t implying—”

“I know.” Jude waved off the impending apology. “Look, he’s someone I’ve known most of my life. He’s trustworthy and this is honestly the only way I can get this project complete in time for the grand opening and still have a profitable business. He’s waived the fee, and I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.”

“I understand.” Edward nodded. “The contract is very solid. I have no other concerns about it other than that one, so I feel comfortable advising you to sign it. Mr. Shaw did include a penalty clause where he has to pay you a fee if he falls behind schedule and doesn’t complete it in time. Which, to me, says he’s serious about this.”

“Sounds good to me,” Logan said. “Where do I sign?”

“Well, we’ll need to bring Mr. Shaw in and have our notary present, but once we do that, you’ll be ready to go.”

“Excellent.”

The presentation had gone well that morning. Logan had seemed enthusiastic about all Jude’s plans, though he was still looking for someone to do the finish carpentry on the bar. The place would be dramatic, with black walls and gray tablecloths offset by rich brown leather chairs and booths. But the showstopper would be the bar, and it would require finding a craftsman with some serious skills to pull it off.

Logan assured Jude he’d take care of finding that person, and Jude was happy to hand that responsibility over. He was stressed enough about the situation.

Logan joined them and Jude enjoyed the sight of Logan in another perfectly tailored suit while they waited for the notary to arrive.

They’d gone their separate ways after the presentation, then reconvened at the law office. Logan had apparently used his time wisely. He’d dressed in a charcoal gray suit with a white shirt and black tie. Jude had to shift in his chair as he pictured Logan binding him with that tie.

Down, boy,he chastised himself.

Hopefully things would work out with NewBieDom. He was definitely intriguing and it had been so long since Jude had found a Dom to hook up with. He enjoyed every second of what he did with Tony, but that other side of him longed to be unleashed. Or, more accurately, leashed. He’d loved being dominant with Tony, his blood heating and his entire body lighting up with joy when they were together. And yet a part of him wanted to be on his knees, doing those same things for someone else. He’d happily let Tony take charge if he wanted but he was firmly submissive, so Jude didn’t push.

Jude just wished it wasn’t so damn hard to find what he was looking for.

The sound of the conference room door opening pulled Jude from his thoughts just as a smartly dressed woman stepped inside. “Sorry, my last meeting took a little longer than anticipated. Now, what did you need notarized?”

They got down to business and Logan signed first. Jude scribbled his name on the various lines, then passed the contract on to the notary.

When he and Logan left the lawyer’s office and stepped into the late-afternoon sunshine, weight slipped from his shoulders. “Thank you again.” He turned to Logan, smiling gratefully at him. “I don’t know how to express my gratitude for this.”

Logan smiled. “Hey, I’m glad I was able to step in. I was pleased it worked out.”

“Can I at least take you out to dinner tonight?” Jude asked. “As a thank you.”

“Sure, I’d like that,” Logan said, his warm brown eyes glowing in the autumn light. “I’d like that a lot.”

* * *

“Well, this is a solid place but the food’s not as good as yours,” Logan said a few hours later as he pushed back his nearly empty plate.

Jude grinned across the table at him. “Well, what is?”

Logan chuckled. “I can’t argue that actually.”

Jude had taken Logan to the brewery downtown. The Hawk Point Tavern had better food, but Jude wasn’t quite ready to show his face at his ex’s restaurant yet. He was still too embarrassed by what a fool he’d made of himself the last time he was there.

But they’d had an enjoyable dinner at the brewery. Logan looked relaxed. He’d removed his tie but otherwise, he was still dressed in that gorgeous suit and crisp white shirt. Jude sighed wistfully, wishing this was a date. Because damn, if it had been, he’d have been totally smitten. Good food, good beer, handsome man across the table from him who he’d had nonstop fantastic conversation with … it didn’t get better than that.

Hard to believe it had all happened with his father’s best friend. Who was temptingly single. Which reminded him that he’d been meaning to ask Logan about that.

“So, what happened with you and Ann?” Jude asked.

Logan raised an eyebrow and Jude realized that question had come out of nowhere to anyone who wasn’t following the weird turns his brain took.

“Sorry, I was just curious. If you don’t want to answer …”

“No, it’s fine.” Logan toyed with his half-empty pint glass. “In a lot of ways, it was like most breakups, I think. We went in different directions and began to want different things. Who we thought we were in our late teens isn’t who we are now. We grew apart. It was pretty civilized, to be honest, which I’m grateful for.”

Jude remembered Archie’s surprise at his parents’ divorce, but even he’d admitted it had seemed like they were growing apart for years.

“It was not civilized with Donovan,” he admitted. “It was ugly.”

They’d both said some really nasty things to each other, most of which Jude bitterly regretted.

“I’m sorry.” Logan settled a hand over top of Jude’s, his touch warm and reassuring.

“It was at least sixty percent my fault,” he admitted. “I was terrified of losing him and …” He swallowed hard. “I lashed out. It was stupid too. Looking back, I can see exactly why we weren’t working. He was right about all of that—I just didn’t want to see it.”

Maybe make that seventy or eighty percent his fault. He’d tried to make Donovan into someone he wasn’t. Make that ninety percent. God, what had he been thinking?

“And you haven’t found what you’re looking for since?” Logan asked, pulling back to reach for his drink.

“Uhh, no,” Jude said. He grabbed his own glass. “It’s hard to meet people who are okay with the hours I work.” That was only one small factor but it definitely had caused problems over the years.

“Tell me about it.” Logan grimaced. “I don’t work restaurant hours, but the constant travel really bothers people I’ve been involved with.”

Jude nodded. “I can see that.” He considered the idea. “I don’t know that it would bother me. Sure, I’d like a partner I saw regularly but I think it’s more about the quality of the time spent together than the amount.”

“Exactly.” Logan leaned forward. “That is how I feel about it too.”

“If only we were looking for the same things otherwise,” Jude teased with a little wink.

Logan chuckled. “If only.”