“Nana Kay makes it all the time.” Luka picked up his fork and started eating. “Hers is nicer.”
“It’s exactly the same,” Nate insisted.
Luka shrugged.
“I used her recipe.”
A grin spread across Luka’s face.
“Are you messing with me?” Nate sighed. “Whatever. I like it.”
“Me, too,” Jared said before filling his mouth. He smiled with puffed cheeks at Luka.
It’d become a new normal for Nate and Luka. Jared joined them for dinner every couple of nights, or more often if work and school allowed. It had been that way for three months. For the first time in years, it wasn’t just him and Luka around the dinner table.
Between the bites of food, conversation was easy, relaxed. They talked about things that made the others smile, laugh, want to hear more. It was really beginning to feel as if they were a little family, the three of them together.
“I have something I want to show you,” Nate said after dinner. Luka was in his room reading, having left Nate and Jared to clean up.
“Is it something sexy?” Jared swayed his shoulders.
Nate laughed. “No.” He took Jared by the hand and led him through to the living room. “I bought something but thought you should do the honors.” They stopped beside the bookcase.
“And do what exactly?” Jared eyed the shelves.
Nate picked up the slim box he’d placed beside the bookcase earlier. “Don’t get too excited. It’s just a…” He shook his head. “I don’t know what it is, but here.” He gave the box to Jared and waited.
Jared tipped the box. “A photo frame,” Jared said. He turned it over to see the photograph. “This is from—”
“The museum the other month. Luka wanted a selfie of us all and well, I thought…” He carefully made space, parting some of the other pictures on the shelf. “I thought it was time for some new pictures. New family pictures.” He bit his lip.
“Are you sure?” Jared gripped the frame in both hands. “Because this is…” He smiled. “Because I love it.”
Nate nodded. He meant it. “The family I, Rhea, and Luka made, that’s its own thing, it’ll always be there, but I think the three of us can be happy, so if you’re okay with us, then, I’d like this to be the first picture of many many more. Our new family.”
“I really do love it. Thank you.” He kissed Nate’s cheek, then turned back to the shelf, placing the photograph in the space Nate had made.
“Happy?” Nate asked.
“Are you?” Jared met his eyes.
Nate glanced at the collection of photos. He smiled, turned to Jared. “Yes.” He pressed his hand to Jared’s face. “I didn’t think I’d ever be happy again. In some ways, I didn’t want to be happy. But you’ve given me something new to smile about. You make me smile, make me happy.” He leaned in for a kiss. “Thank you, Jared.”
“Anytime,” Jared said, kissing him again.
An eww came from behind them, followed by fake vomiting sounds.
Nate turned to find Luka standing in the doorway. “How long have you been there?”
“Since now.” Luka shrugged.
Clearing his throat, Jared backed away.
“Oh cool. The picture from the museum.” Luka jumped toward the bookcase. “That mammoth was awesome.”
Nate stood behind him, rested his hands on his shoulders. “It was pretty awesome.”
“Can we go again? Or maybe somewhere else?” He turned his head. “Jared, too.”
“Of course, me too,” Jared said. “We’ll go somewhere when we’re all free, okay?”
“Cool.” Luka jumped on the spot, then spun around. “Bathroom,” he said then scurried away.
Jared looked at Nate and they laughed together.
What a funny thing his new little family was.
And I love it, and them. Luka and Jared, both.
THE END
Read Felix and Ethan’s story – coming, Fall 2021
Sign up for a release reminder: rjscott.co.uk/rjnews
Felix (Boyfriend for Hire, 5)
Ethan is determined to face the ghosts of his past when he attends his high school reunion. Hiring a boyfriend as a pretend date seemed like a sensible idea on paper, but sexy Felix is everything Ethan wants in a man for real.
When Ethan hires Felix, it’s just another job. But, after a single night together, Felix finds himself imagining an impossible future with the cute science nerd.
Their attraction is off the charts, and a night of passion burns up the sheets, but when real life gets in the way, can Ethan and Felix find love?
Also from RJ & Meredith
Sapphire Cay
Follow the Sun
Under the Sun
Chase The Sun
Christmas In The Sun
Capture The Sun
Forever In The Sun
Boyfriends For Hire
Darcy
Kaden
Gideon
Jared
Felix (Fall 2021)
Standalone Christmas
The Road to Frosty Hollow
Meet RJ Scott
RJ is the author of the over one hundred published novels and discovered romance in books at a very young age. She realized that if there wasn’t romance on the page, she could create it in her head, and is a lifelong writer.
She lives and works out of her home in the beautiful English countryside, spends her spare time reading, watching films, and enjoying time with her family.
The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn't like it one little bit and has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.
www.rjscott.co.uk | [email protected]
NEWSLETTER : rjscott.co.uk/rjnews
Meet Meredith Russell
Meredith Russell lives in the heart of England. An avid fan of many story genres, she enjoys nothing less than a happy ending. She believes in heroes and romance and strives to reflect this in her writing. Sharing her imagination and passion for stories and characters is a dream Meredith is excited to turn into reality.
www.meredithrussell.co.uk
