Page 18 of Feels Like Home

Taking a deep breath, Jace opened the door then waited while Ian put on his shoes. They made their way down the stairs together before entering the kitchen to find Jace’s mom setting the table and his grandma eating one of her peanut butter cookies.

“Mom, Grandma, this is Ian Grant.” Jace hugged his stomach then quickly let his arms fall to his sides when he realized how awkward that made him appear. “He’s, um, a friend of mine.” An intimate friend. “We were out late, so he just crashed in my room.”

“I’m Myla Galano,” his mom greeted with a warm, welcoming smile. “I set a place for you at the table, unless you can’t join us.”

“It’s a pleasure, ma’am, and I’d be delighted to have breakfast with you,” Ian said with a slight strain in his voice.

Jace noticed a hint of panic in Ian’s eyes. It was odd to see Ian so nervous, especially since he was usually so self-confident. Was that how Jace looked when he was anxious?

“You’re a tall drink of tequila.” Jace’s grandma swept her gaze over Ian, a sly smirk on her face like she knew exactly what they’d done upstairs. “I swear there’s something in the water around here. Never seen so many skyscraping men until I moved to this town.”

“Ian, this is my mother-in-law, Inez,” Jace’s mom said with a roll of her eyes. “Please, have a seat, and try your best not to get offended by anything she says to you.”

“I said nothing offending,” his grandma huffed. “How did the two of you meet?”

“At the gym.” Jace gestured toward a chair, but Ian remained standing.

His gaze darted between the two women like his mind was frozen. It wasn’t until his mom went to grab a platter of food from the counter that Ian’s brain seemed to reboot and he rushed over to help her.

“Let me get that.” After setting the dish in the center of the table, Ian pulled out her chair for her. Was that perspiration glistening on his forehead?

“He’s an improvement over the last one,” Jace’s grandma said. “Better looking, too. How tall are you, Ian?”

“Grandma,” Jace groaned. “Eat your cookies and leave him alone.”

“I already finished them off,” she replied. “Can you be a dearie and grab me some more while you’re out?” She then turned her attention back to Ian, waiting for his response.

“I’m six-five ma’am.” Ian cleared his throat, as if the words had scratched his esophagus on their way out. Jace patted Ian’s thigh but quickly pulled his hand away when he remembered how wicked that thigh had felt between his legs last night.

The fast withdrawal caused Jace to slam his hand under the table, causing everything on top of it rattle.

“Are you okay?” His mom frowned. “Why was your hand under the table?”

Grandma dearest gave him a knowing grin.

As if Jace wasn’t embarrassed enough, Ian took his hand and flipped it over repeatedly like he was checking for massive bruising.

“I’m fine.” Jace jerked his hand away. That was the last time he would covertly attempt to give Ian comfort. Now Jace’s hand throbbed.

“Don’t let the food get cold. Eat up,” Jace’s mom said, quickly dismissing the incident.

Ian grabbed the platter and served the ladies then Jace.

“You’re our guest,” Jace’s mom protested. “You should have been served first, Ian.”

“Since he’s the guest, he can decide who gets served first,” Jace replied when Ian froze. He tugged on the guy’s shirt until Ian finally sat back down then proceeded to serve himself the remaining food.

He felt bad that Ian was so nervous, but Jace had offered to sneak him out. Maybe next time Ian would take him up on his offer.

“The food is wonderful.” Ian’s table manners were impeccable, a clear sign that he’d been taught proper etiquette. It also reminded Jace how much he still didn’t know about Ian.

“Thank you.” Jace’s mom smiled at the compliment. “It’s probably doesn’t compare to your mother’s cooking, but it’s always nice to hear praise.”

“Excuse me.” Ian used his napkin to wipe his mouth, set it on the table, then stood and walked out.

“Ian!” Jace jumped up from his chair and turned to his mom. “He never knew his parents. He was orphaned as a kid.”

“I had no idea!” His mom looked on the verge of crying. “Go after him, Jace. Bring him back.”

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