Page 159 of The 21-Day Boyfriend
“Can I help with anything?” Larry asks.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
He laughs, placing his mug down on the counter and pushing back his sleeves.
“Tell me how I can help.”
I wanted to make a traditional Christmas dinner, given my family will be here, too: something classic and elegant, so that no one can turn their nose up.
I would’ve preferred to be a little more adventurous, the way I always am when I cook, but this is my parents we’re talking about: experimenting when it comes to them only seems to make things worse.
I’d rather have just had dinner with Granny, Sean, Mila, Jake, and Larry, like last night. But apparently I’m not allowed to skip this family reunion.
Actually, the only thing I’d like to do today is lock myself away in the guesthouse with Sean and hide out there until the new year.
“I see you’re juggling lots of different dishes,” Larry says, bringing my attention back to him and to the dinner at hand.
I’ve decided to make our classic stuffed turkey with gravy, baked ham with cloves, buttered carrots, roast potatoes, and sautéed Brussels sprouts. I also wanted to prepare a few appetizers, similar to the ones I made yesterday: smoked salmon tartlets, mini potato and courgette pies, and a cheese and asparagus quiche. I want to make some desserts, too: apple and cinnamon cake to accompany the remaining mince pies from last night’s dinner.
“You can help with the stuffing for the turkey.”
“Happily.”
I can’t deny that I’d have preferred to be cooking with Sean – I like having him around when I’m at the stove ? but I’d rather let him sleep.
I want him to be in good form. I’m not quite finished with him, yet.
I think I might have pushed things too far. I feel like I wore him out between last night and this morning. But I thought that maybe, after dinner tonight, he might be the one to wipemeout. I haven’t given myself to someone in that way for such a long time, and I’d like him to be the one to do it.
I feel like I can trust Sean. I feel like I’m safe in his arms.
“Is Sean still sleeping?” Larry asks discreetly, as if he could read my mind.
I can’t help but smile and nod.
“Evelyn is really taken by him.”
How can I blame her? I am, too. In a way I could never have imagined.
“He’s earned her respect, which is no easy feat.”
“I know.”
“I’m happy for you, Eric. Really happy.”
His words make me a little uncomfortable. After all, Sean and I are only pretending – or, at least, that was the agreement until a few days ago. But now… Now I can’t help but keep glancing over at the kitchen door, waiting for him to appear. His eyes sleepy, his smile languid, holding all the memories from the hours we’ve just spent together.
Someone knocks at the door to the house, bringing me forcefully back to the present.
“Who could that be at this time?”
I glance at the clock; my parents won’t be up, yet. After staying late at a party last night, I’m not expecting to see them until about two in the afternoon.
“I’ll go and see,” Larry says, leaving me alone in the kitchen for a few minutes.
I get straight back to work; this dinner isn’t going to prepare itself, and if I keep thinking about him and our last few hours together, I’ll risk letting everyone go hungry.
“Eric?” Larry’s voice floats over to me from the doorway.
