  &quot;I…I guess if he…well, as long as he doesn t go overboard, I won t mind accepting a few things from Toby.&quot;
  Joshua guffawed. &quot;Just don t forget your best friend when that happens. You need to share.&quot;
  &quot;Of course, I won t forget about Justin. Or Javier. Maybe Vincent, Calvin, and Keenan, too.&quot;
  Joshua glared at David. &quot;Me! I m talking about me.&quot;
  &quot;Oh, I don t know about you. You re getting on my nerves.&quot;
  Joshua pretended to be hurt. &quot;Is that how you treat your best friend in the whole wide world?&quot;
  David chortled. &quot;Fine. You can be included in the list.&quot;
  Joshua snorted. &quot;How magnanimous.&quot;
  &quot;I am, aren t I?&quot;
  &quot;Smug.&quot;
  The two of them stared at each other in silence for a brief moment before they burst out laughing. Then David got up and made his way toward the office door.
  &q

  &quot;At least the food selection seems great,&quot; James said while shooting a tentative smile at Joshua.
  Joshua beamed in return. &quot;I agree. I think I ll have the triple cheeseburger and fries with a side of salad and a large soda. I also want the chocolate dessert, the one called 'High on Chocolate.  What about you?&quot;
  &quot;I ll get the chicken chop, potato wedges, and coleslaw, but I can t decide between the green tea smoothie or the strawberry milkshake. Then again, I really want to try the green tea layered crepes for dessert. Maybe I should get a strawberry milkshake.&quot;
  Joshua grinned. &quot;Positive?&quot;
  James chuckled. &quot;Yeah. Let s order now.&quot;
  After that, the date was excellent. At least it was fantastic and wonderful for the next forty minutes or so. James was able to ignore the screeching, shrieking children for the most part. It was easy e

  &quot;You take care, James, and remember to ask Joshua to attend your father s birthday party.&quot;
  &quot;Okay, I will. On both counts. I can t guarantee Josh will be able to make it, though.&quot;
  &quot;It s all right. Just check with him.&quot;
  &quot;Of course.&quot;
  James accompanied his mother out to her car and waited for her to drive away before heading back into his kitchen and continuing with his tasks. He had many things to do, and he would have to deal with them as quickly as possible if he didn t want to be late for his dinner date with Joshua later. They had made the plan earlier that morning before Joshua had to go back to his apartment and change his clothes for work. The more he thought about Joshua, the more excited he got. Maybe this would turn out to be the relationship he had been wishing for. As nervous as he felt about introducing Joshua to his family, he 

&quot;I…I guess if he…well, as long as he doesn t go overboard, I won t mind accepting a few things from Toby.&quot;
  Joshua guffawed. &quot;Just don t forget your best friend when that happens. You need to share.&quot;
  &quot;Of course, I won t forget about Justin. Or Javier. Maybe Vincent, Calvin, and Keenan, too.&quot;
  Joshua glared at David. &quot;Me! I m talking about me.&quot;
  &quot;Oh, I don t know about you. You re getting on my nerves.&quot;
  Joshua pretended to be hurt. &quot;Is that how you treat your best friend in the whole wide world?&quot;
  David chortled. &quot;Fine. You can be included in the list.&quot;
  Joshua snorted. &quot;How magnanimous.&quot;
  &quot;I am, aren t I?&quot;
  &quot;Smug.&quot;
  The two of them stared at each other in silence for a brief moment before they burst out laughing. Then David got up and made his way toward the office door.
  &quot;Have fun with James tonight, man.&quot;
  &quot;Oh, I absolutely will.&quot;
  David 

Chapter 16