Page 37 of To Cuddle A Gremlin

“But we’d like to have coffee with you,” Sebastian answered. He scratched his head as he tried to understand what Harry was doing.

“Dude, I’d love to chat with you a while longer too, but not now. You two deserve to have this picture-perfect date end. All your sappy-happy juices are flowing, and there’s a full moon. This is the walk- home night of the century. We were pulling your leg. Geez, Chuck, take me home.” With a flourish, Harry spun around and snapped his fingers. Charles saluted Isadore and Sebastian before catching up.

“What just happened?” Sebastian asked.

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Come on, you have to escort me to my house now. My ride just buggered off.” Isadore gazed at Sebastian with such adoration and love that Sebastian ducked his head away from the warmth. He didn’t deserve this. Not after everything he’d done wrong. “Stop thinking about it, Bas. Or I’ll do something so awful…”

“You’d never!” Sebastian straightened up and glared. The smirk was there. Isadore had said what he had on purpose. “Fine. But it’ll take a while. I’ve got these demons in my head.”

“As long as they’re not real demons.” Isadore drew Sebastian into a hug. “You are doing fantastic. A few hiccups along the way are expected as long as you recognize them for what they are. Bad and intrusive thoughts.”

“You are the—I really like you.” Sebastian swallowed before continuing. “I don’t know how you manage to keep me sane. Thank you for being so strong. You are the best person in Granite, and I’m so glad I met you.”

CHAPTER 16

Kazmier: So I have a confession to make.

Crash: What do you mean?

Kazmier: I might have figured out who you are.

Crash: Again, huh?

Kazmier: We’ve met in IRL.

Crash: I would know if we did.

Kazmier: Kismet and the world of mates say otherwise.

Crash: Kazmier, you’re confusing me. I gotta go. I have a guest over.

Isadore wasn’t one to be struck speechless. He always found words when the silence grew uncomfortable. To be on the receiving end of this potential confession was mind-blowing, and he had to speak soon before Sebastian froze.

“You are pretty damn amazing yourself. You’ve changed since we met, and you’re like… fractal frost on the river, spreading and shifting with every moment.”

“That’s really…”

“Hey, man, you just opened your heart to me, and I wasn’t expecting your poetry, so you gotta roll with my joy.” Isadore pressed his lips together as he stared at Sebastian with his black toque and scarf tied around his neck. His cheeks were rosy-red, either from the cold or embarrassment, but his eyes… Oh, his eyes said so much. They were clear and honest, still a bit fearful, but removing anxiety would take time. He laid his heart out for Isadore, and Gods, Isadore ached at the bravery.

“I’m sorry.”

“No apologies. You make me happy. You really do. And I amthrilled.” Isadore cupped Sebastian’s cheeks and kissed him hard on his surprised mouth. The taste of sugar and Sebastian was perfect.

As they approached Sebastian’s apartment building, Sebastian began glancing at him and looking away.

“What is it?”

“I was wondering… If you want…I mean, you don’t have to or anything.”

“Spit it out.” Isadore braced himself for whatever had Sebastian stumbling. The shy glances gave him hope that the evening wasn’t over, but he didn’t dare say anything.

“Did you want…would you like to come up and meet Tiger?” The whisper-soft question at the end was covered by Isadore’s whoop of excitement.

“Yes, love. Absolutely yes. I have been waiting for this day since forever.” Isadore raced over Sebastian’s words. The wide-eyed look on Sebastian’s face caused Isadore to stop and consider what he had said. “Err, sorry. A little too much?”

“Yeah, a bit.” The sheer sincerity from Sebastian was a surprise. Isadore bowed his head in apology. “It’s okay, though. Just unexpected. Anyway, we’ll take the elevator?”

“Yes, please. You were right about the walk. I should have listened.” Isadore confessed. He had been trying to plow through the mild pain, but in his excitement of being with Sebastian, Isadore had forgotten to rest, so now he had to depend on Sebastian’s kindness.

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