Page 16 of Wrap Me Up

“More than okay.” Tinsel blinks and a tear rolls down his cheek.

“Oh, Tinsel.” I set our plates on the table and take him in my arms. His head presses to my stomach as a sob escapes from him. I hate that I was a coward at the beginning of the year, but we’re going to be good together. I just know it.

“Thanks. Sorry ‘bout that.” Tinsel pulls away and wipes his eyes. “Just a little overwhelmed right now.”

“It’s okay.” I squeeze his shoulder and put his plate right in front of him. “Food always helps.”

“It looks amazing.”

I can’t help but preen a little at his praise. “I hope it tastes amazing. I’ve made the recipe before, but I made a few adjustments here and there.” I hand him a fork. “Dig in.”

And he does, the salmon flakes as he sinks his fork in. His eyes shutter closed when the piece goes past his lips. “Mmmhmm.”

I drag a chair from the end and bring it to sit next to Tinsel. There’s no reason we need to sit too far apart. “I’m glad you like it.”

“So good.” He takes another bite and another. “Oh. I should slow down.”

My cheeks heat knowing he’s enjoying my food so much.

“I usually just grab something from a cafe or eat a frozen dinner unless Dylan and Snow invite me over. Or Snickerdoodle, but she has kids to take care of so I feel bad.”

“You’re always welcome here.” I grab his hand and kiss his knuckles. We hold hands as we eat, at least until we need our hands.

“Apparently, I’m really needy after coming,” Tinsel laughs and shakes his head at himself. “Sorry.”

“No need to be sorry. We can talk about it if you want?”

He shakes his head. “It might be dumb.”

I set my fork on my plate and pat my lips with my napkin. “It’s not dumb, whatever it is.”

He takes a deep breath and turns to me. “I know I seem confident, and mostly I am. I think everyone can agree that I own who I am. But when it comes to sex, despite saying they’re okay with—” Tinsel waves his hand along his body. “Guys always balk when it comes to… what you did.”

I nod as I take in his words. “I’m so sorry that happened.”

“I think you took care of all those experiences with one mind-blowing orgasm.”

“That good?”

“You have no idea.” Tinsel gives me a lopsided smile.

“Good. I hope to give you hundreds, no, thousands more.” I give him a sharp nod before picking up my fork again. “And none orgasmic gifts. You deserve to be cherished, and I have months to catch up for my foolishness.”

“You’re very good at this whole wooing business.” Tinsel goes back to his food and moans into his next bite.

“Not so bad yourself.”

We both must be hungry because we eat quickly.

“Let’s watch something while we digest before we eat dessert,” I suggest.

“Perfect. We can get all cuddly on the couch.”

“Exactly.” I grab all the dishes. Tinsel moves to join me. “No, no. You go get comfortable on the couch and I’ll clean up real quick.”

“But we can get things washed up faster with two people.” Tinsel pleads, and I can not deny him.

“Okay, but you dry.” I hand him a dishtowel and the grin he gives me could melt even the hardest of hearts. I hate what he’s been through. He deserves the world and I plan on doing everything in my power to do that.

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