“We’d have to go later, or maybe Saturday, if I could get Pops to cover. Luka has been on his best behavior recently since… you know, so I agreed to let him go to a sleepover, and so I wouldn’t have to worry about messing with Luka’s weekend, because we have to get him new shoes, and somehow it’s going to be a circus, because he hates shopping.” He stopped talking. “Why am I even telling you that? My life is messy, but I wouldn’t change it, only I don’t know why you’d want to take this on, so maybe we shouldn’t even start with a date, because one day you will—”
Jared pressed a finger to Nate’s lips. Sunday, he had a job with a regular client, a last minute booking for a yachting event, or something to do with the docks and boats. To be honest he hadn’t been listening to Rowan because he knew he’d get a file sent over in plenty of time and there was no way he could mess up a two-hour date where all he had to do was smile and act like a professional.
“Saturday is great. Although I can’t stay long, I have work early on Sunday, and I’m knee-deep in exams.”
“So Saturday it is, for dinner, just us.” He seemed so focused, as if he’d made some huge decision and had found his resolve, or was that just wishful thinking on Jared’s part?
“That sounds perfect.”
Something changed in Nate’s expression, focus replaced by unexpected determination. He moved closer, not completely trapping Jared against the desk, but when his tongue flicked out to wet his lips, it was obvious what he was asking. “I would really like to kiss you, again. This time for real.”
Jared cradled Nate’s face. “Sounds good.”
Finally, Nate took that single move to bring them together and their lips met in a soft kiss. Once. Then again. The first time was quick, a test, the second lingered a bit longer, and it could have been more, but Nate pulled back. He pressed his hands to Jared’s shoulders and held him still.
“It’s important that I tell you, Luka will always come first.”
“I know.”
“And I’m not looking for a new mom or dad for Luka because the two of us are okay as we are.”
Jared’s chest hollowed at the pain in Nate’s voice, but he tried very hard not to let Nate see his reaction. When he thought of Nate and Luka together he saw an impenetrable unit built on love, and he wasn’t sure he’d ever be allowed inside, but right now he’d take every kiss he could get and be happy with it.
“It’s just a kiss,” Jared whispered. “I’m not looking to suddenly be Luka’s dad, or your new start, I just think that kissing might be nice.” Nice was underselling what he’d felt, because even the most chaste of kisses had sent shockwaves through his body, and not just because it was a wonderful kiss, but because Nate had lowered one of his barriers and let them try.
That was big.
“I want one more before I go home, and I really have to go home because I promised Luka a game of Jenga, and we’re reading The Hobbit. The kids’ version, with pictures, but we’ve just got to the troll bit and… yeah, I really want to go home.”
Jared didn’t miss the hint, kissing him before he changed his mind, and both of them laughing into the kiss in their eagerness to get closer. He could stay here all night, taking his fill of Nate, but he hadn’t missed the urgency in Nate’s voice. When they parted it was Nate who chased for more, but he snapped out of it.
“I need to leave.”
Jared wasn’t ready for whatever this was to end, and they were, after all, heading vaguely in the same direction. “Me too,” he lied, and quirked a smile, “we can go together.”
Nate shrugged on his jacket and pulled a beanie down over his dark hair. “Let’s go then.”
They stood together on the platform as they waited for the next train. The wind was cold around them and they huddled closer until the train arrived and then darted on, huffing laughs as the door closed and they could work on getting warm. There were no seats, so they ended up moving through to stand and hold onto the bar, so close that Jared could’ve kissed Nate again.
Not the time or place. Not yet.
He didn’t even kiss him when they reached Nate’s stop and Nate whispered a goodbye.
“Saturday,” he said instead.
“I suppose… did you want to come up?”
Oh god, he really wanted to go up, see Luka, play Jenga and listen to Jared read The Hobbit, but he instinctively understood that this would be the wrong kind of step to take.
“You have your evening planned, and I need to study, but say hi to Luka for me, and think about the diner with the slot machines, because it’s fun and Luka would love it, yeah?”
Nate looked at him with a thoughtful expression. “I think you really mean it.”
“Why wouldn’t I? Luka’s a good kid, fun, bright, just like all my nieces and nephews back home.”
“You’re a special kind of person, Jared.” Nate lowered his head. Maybe he was just confused.
Jared attempted to lighten the moment. “Funny thing is, my family say I’m special as well, only not in a good way.”
At last, with a smile on his face, Nate left, and Jared waited until the entry door shut behind him before leaving.
Then he walked home, counting down the hours until Saturday.
Chapter Twelve
“Hey, Nate. A hand. Please.” Pops leaned from behind the stack of boxes he was carrying and stared at Nate.
Nate stared back. “Oh.” He pocketed his cell. “Sorry,” he said and took the top box. It was lighter than he had imagined. “What are these?” He slid the box onto the counter, tilting his head
