Nate lowered his glass.
Sure, dinner might be a little awkward, a little too cozy. But it was what it was. They were here, together and as much as the thought of it being the two of them made Nate want to run, fling open Luka’s bedroom door and drag him back to the table, he had to admit it wasn’t completely terrible being only him and Jared. It was comfortable, relaxing, easy.
Should it be this easy being around somebody? Somebody like Jared?
“Don’t force yourself,” Nate said, breaking the silence they had fallen into between bites of dinner. He leaned back in his seat. “You don’t have to finish it.”
Jared met Nate’s eyes over the fork full of food he held up. “Why wouldn’t I?” Jared filled his mouth, chewed. He raised his hand, covering his lips as he mumbled, “It’s good.”
Nate chuckled. “Is this you being too nice right now?”
Jared shook his head. “Of course not. But you’re acting like it’s the worst lasagna ever made. You should try living at my place. I conveniently find myself having other plans when it’s my roommate’s turn to cook. That or suggest getting takeout.”
“Worse than super crispy lasagna? I don’t believe you.”
“Okay so it’s not all the time, but he sure has his moments. He’s massacred everything from a side salad to steak to—”
“I love steak,” Nate uttered.
Jared smiled. “Not so sure you’d be saying that if you saw Ethan’s idea of a steak. I love the guy, but he’ll try his hand at anything and has this habit of adding his own twists to recipes. I think it’s the crazy scientist in him. He comes up with some odd creations and I swear given a chance he’d cook everything over a Bunsen burner.” He raised his empty fork and pointed it in Nate’s direction. “And anyway, quit it would you? The lasagna’s not super crispy, just a little crunchy on the outside. It’s fine once you rummage beneath the surface.”
Nate raised an eyebrow. “Why does it sound like you’re describing my father-in-law?”
“Huh?”
In a deep tone, Nate said, “Beneath his crunchy, tough exterior is a big old soft-hearted idiot. All meat and sauce.” He twisted his wine glass on the table, remembered the almost theatrical performance Rhea had given when explaining Pops in advance of Nate meeting her parents for the first time. He chuckled, rubbed the crease at his brow. Maybe the wine was going to his head. “Ignore me.”
“Do you get on with him? Your father-in-law? I met him at the bar the other night, didn’t I?”
“Yes, that’s him, Don, or rather, Pops. Everybody calls him Pops once they get to know him. He’s a teddy bear really, always been this fatherly, lend his ear to anyone and their problems kind of guy, if you know what I mean.”
“Ah, the clichéd role of a bartender.”
Nate nodded. “Pretty much. It suits him, though. I have a barman, Gregg, who’s similar. He’s my second in command, the assistant manager.” He drank the last of the wine in his glass. “He runs things when I’m at home with Luka.”
“Must be good to have someone to rely on.”
“I trust him. Or rather Rhea did. She hired him, must be six, seven years now. I’m glad he stuck around, though I sometimes wonder if he aspires to own a bar of his own someday.” He sucked on his teeth. “I’m sure he said something like that in his interview.”
“Where do you see yourself in ten years? That question?”
“Probably,” Nate said with a chuckle. He stared at his empty glass. Where had Nate seen himself now, ten years ago? He was sure whatever he’d thought, Rhea had been part of it.
He tilted his empty glass. It wasn’t a good idea to drink too much, especially if a single glass had his face feeling flushed and his thoughts lingering in the past. Luka had school in the morning, and Nate planned on sorting through some paperwork once Jared had gone and Luka was in bed.
“Dad,” Luka stuck his head in the gap of the open door. He puffed his cheeks, pulled the door to him so his face was smushed between the door and the frame.
“Need some help?” Nate asked.
Luka shook his head and pushed open the door. “I’m done for today.” He put his hands behind his back and eyed the dishes on the table.
“Do you want some more?”
Luka once again shook his head. “I was just looking.”
“You lost something?” Jared glanced over his shoulder.
Luka stepped forward. “Nope.” He smiled at Nate.
“Oh, I see. Somebody wants that ice cream.” Nate waggled his finger, indicating for Luka to come to him. He hooked his arm around Luka’s waist. “How about you help me get started on clearing up, and when Jared’s ready and everything’s tidy, we can all sit down with big bowls of ice cream.”
Luka squirmed when Nate pinched his side. “Can we watch a movie?”
“Um. We could, but Jared will probably have to go home before it finishes, and I’d hate for him to miss the end.” He looked at Jared. “I mean, you’re welcome to stay if you wanted to. Just, I’m sure you’ve better things to do with your evening.”
Jared placed his cutlery on his empty plate and wiped his hands on his napkin. “I’ve no plans so I can do whatever. It’s fine if you want to kick me out though.”
“There’s no rush.” Nate released Luka and slid back his chair.
“Can I give you a hand?” Jared asked as he held out his plate.
“No need. Luka and I have got this.” He took the plate. “But if you want to help, you can grab the ice cream from the freezer. And bowls and spoons. They’re in the middle cabinet and top drawer on the left. Okay?”
“Spoons, bowls, and ice cream. I can do that.”
“Come on,” Nate said to Luka. “Let’s clear the dirty
