Chapter 1
Vincent Yang arched his left eyebrow at David Lee, one of his best friends and colleagues at the pharmaceutical firm he worked at in San Francisco, California. “The Torpedough? Really?”
David rolled his eyes at Vincent while pushing the door of the bakery and making his way inside. “It’s a wonderful place. Can’t you smell the awesomeness of all the baked goods in this amazing place?”
Vincent snorted. “Do I need to give you some privacy?”
David scrunched up his face, obviously confused. “What? Why?”
“So you can jerk off in peace while inhaling the awesomeness of all the baked goods in the bakery.”
David scoffed. “Don’t be crude, man.”
Vincent chuckled while trailing after David, who was now heading straight toward the counter. “You’re such a prude. You’re lucky Toby has such a hard-on for you.”
David turned toward Vincent and glared. “Excuse me? There’s nothing between Toby and me.”
Vincent snickered. He knew that would rile David up, and he did it on purpose. Tobias Ruiz was apparently one of David’s ex-schoolmates or something.
“Oh, please. That silly argument between you and Toby at Pablo’s bar last week was like the most intense sexual foreplay part one. I’m waiting for the next episode.”
David blushed and glanced away. “Whatever.”
Vincent grinned to himself, partly at David’s adorable reaction, but mostly at the memory of his best friend’s argument with Tobias at Pablo’s bar, The Overrated Llama. Pablo Cotilla, the owner of the bar, was dating another one of Vincent’s best friends and colleagues, Keenan Underwood
“What are you going to order?” Vincent inquired of David while reading through all the different items on the menu.
“I’ll probably get a pie or something lighter,” David answered while browsing through his own menu. “It’s four o’clock in the afternoon, and I’m just trying to stave off the sudden pang of hunger that has been plaguing me since the meeting began at half past two earlier. I don’t want to ruin my appetite before dinner tonight.”
It took Vincent a few seconds to catch on. Then he smirked at David, who pretended not to notice him.
“Davey baby.”
“Shut up, Vince, or Justin will kick your ass for me.”
Justin Wong was their mutual best friend and colleague, and an expert in Judo, Taekwondo, and Chinese Kung Fu.
“Justin loves me.”
He loves me more.”
Vincent couldn’t deny that. “True, but I’m sure he will be interested to know you’re dating someone in secret.”
David narrowed his eyes at Vincent. “Tell anyone, and I’ll break all your bones.”
Vincent laughed. “You won’t do that. You love me too much.”
David continued to appear really stern and serious for a few seconds longer before sighing. “Fine. I have another date with Toby later tonight. That’s the reason why I can’t make it to dinner with you guys later.”
Vincent mock-gasped. “You’re ditching your lovely best friends for a date with Toby?”
“Don’t be dramatic. The six of you are going to have a wonderful time without me.”
“Five.”
“What?”
“Keenan has a hot date with Pablo tonight, so he won’t be there.”
David’s confused expression cleared up in an instant. “Ah, I see.”
Vincent was about to complain about David and Keenan missing out on their dinner when a sexy hunk stepped out through the door from the room behind the counter. The man was about an inch shorter than his own six-foot height and probably ten to twenty pounds lighter than his own weight of one hundred and ninety pounds. What mesmerized him was the man’s jet-black hair and those piercing black eyes. He had the same eye and hair color, but this unknown man’s gaze was intense, and he couldn’t look away. He gaped in shock when the man grinned widely at David and proceeded to run out from behind the counter before wrapping both arms around his best friend’s waist. Then the man lifted David off the floor, and the two of them laughed with each other while Vincent could only stare in bewilderment.
“Uh…”
David turned toward Vincent and pointed at the unknown man. “Vince, this is Anthony Lim. He’s the owner of this fine establishment. He’s the reason why this bakery is so successful.”
Anthony chuckled while putting David back onto his feet on the floor. “Don’t exaggerate.”
Vincent offered his right hand to Anthony. “I’m Vincent Yang. I’m the Finance Junior Manager in the same pharmaceutical firm David works at. Nice to meet you, man.”
Anthony shook Vincent’s hand and smiled. “Anthony Lim, and I own The Torpedough, but you know that already. Nice to meet you, too.”
Vincent snickered. “Yeah. Cool. So, what can you recommend to a first-time customer like me?”
Anthony smirked. “As the owner, I’m definitely more than a little biased, so I’ll tell you everything is delicious and to-die-for.”
Vincent snorted. “Duh!”
Anthony winked at Vincent. “Or I can create something special just for you.”
“You can?” Vincent blurted out in surprise.