Page 19 of Embers Glow After the Fire

“Perfect.” Brendon pauses. “What does he like?” Realizing he has no idea what the man’s interests are.

“I’ll help you find something.” Robbie winks. “We should loop back up to the cabin. They’ll be back from The Doughnut Hole by now.”

“Great.” Brendon contemplates hiding in the woods until tomorrow.

Chapter 8

Trinkets

“Welcome back gentlemen,” Perry calls in from the patio, sipping from a steaming mug.

“We got you an Americano.” Dennis holds up a tray of drinks with a shopping bag full of pastry boxes hung from his elbow. “Two sweeteners?” He looks to Matthew for assurance.

Matthew nods, setting a stack of boxes, topped with a second drink tray, on the counter. “He’s trying to make us fat, Per.”

“It's vacation: calories don’t count.” Nathan chimes from the sofa, wrapping an arm around Jamie’s shoulder.

“Tell that to the thirty extra pounds I picked up these past few years,” Matthew pats his belly.

“I like how you think Nathan.” Dennis laughs. “Come get breakfast boys.”

They all gather around the island to peruse the selection. Matthew had remembered everyone's drink order from the drive up. His sharp brain is a special gift, according to Adam. He used to forget to put the cream away after adding it to his coffee every morning but can recall any client’s hair color formula with no struggle. Adam hated wasting time looking them up in the computer system and just relied on Matthew, who never steered him wrong. The pair were a perfect match for seven years. Matthew knows there will never be another Adam, so he focuses on the salon’s success first, and everything else after.

“Looks like we’re just in time!” Robbie strolls through the patio sliders. Phoenix, Eli, and Brendon are right behind.

Matthew smiles at the shy squatter who makes quick eye contact before excusing himself and veering upstairs.

Phoenix walks up to Matthew and throws his arms around his waist. Laying his head on his chest. “Love you, Matty.”

“Thanks, babe.” He pats mangled bed-head curls, damp with sweat from the morning hike. “How were the trails?” He wipes his hand on Phoenix’s shoulder.

“Fabulous.” Robbie catches doughnut crumbs flying out of his mouth into the palm of his hand. He swallows and rounds the island, leaning in to kiss Matthew’s cheek. “How are you this morning?”

“I’m good.” He hadn’t expected everyone else to remember this date, but they do. Being so close to a holiday and his birthday makes it harder to forget.

Perry moves in for a turn. He clamps Matthew’s shoulders with both hands. His freckled cocoa skin is still as smooth as it was 25 years ago when they first met as young men. White hair is the only indication he's aged. As their stares meet, Perry’s brows cave, and his eyes spill over. He smashes Matthew against his bony chest and knots around his body.

Matthew’s eyes swim and he bites inside his cheek to quell the wavering, petting Perry’s back. “Are you okay?” He chuckles to keep from sobbing.

The towering man peels away and wipes his cheeks. Clearing his throat and shaking back to his usual stoic self. He turns to the group and sips his Americano. “I need to warm this up,” he strolls toward the microwave.

“Can you believe these children haven't seen The Wizard of Oz?” Robbie shifts focus.

Matthew is relieved.

“What?” Dennis’ jaw drops.

“We’re having a movie night tonight.” Robbie declares.

“Stat!” Matthew jokes, biting into an apple fritter.

“That will be so fun—I haven’t watched that since I was a kid,” Jamie adds.

“I’ll be right back.” Matthew swallows and heads for the stairs.

The bathroom door at the end of the hall opens, releasing a gust of floral musk steamed air and Brendon’s cheeks flush under wide eyes.

Matthew pauses in the entrance to his room. “Hey.” He steps back and moves closer to the freshly showered man

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