Page 44 of One More Yule Log
His belly was all fluttery like he was fifteen and having his first crush.
“Well, have a good night, you.” She winked, and Gray knew he had to be super obvious, but that was okay.
Ben cared for him, loved him. Whoa. Also, wow.
He slid into his coat, heading out to go to the store, a big container of cake pops in hand. He’d slid a couple of chocolate croissants in there for breakfast too.
Liv loved cupcakes, but his lover lusted after chocolate croissants and it was Ben who was having a bad day. That would never do.
He hummed, the Christmas decorations all over town putting him in the spirit.
Oh, who was he kidding? The fact that he was heading up the mountain to a gorgeous house and lover who wanted to cook with him and love him put him right in the mood.
Then there was Liv, who was so curious and wonderful and who wanted to learn to bake everything. He adored her.
God, he wanted to be part of this family.
He took a deep breath at the store, sternly reminding himself he was going to have to take things as they came. This was not something he could rush.
“Gray! How are you?” The voice from behind him made him jump.
He turned, seeing one of the moms he’d met at Liv’s concert. “Hey. I’m good. How are you?”
“Excellent. Ready for Christmas?” She smiled as if she knew the answer.
“God, no.” He laughed. Mari. That was her name. “I’m still doing stuff for everyone else’s. But I’m getting there.” In fact, he needed to shop some for Ben and Liv and Alice. He would get something for Liv’s aunt Fran when she got home too.
“Tell me about it. I couldn’t believe when I heard what happened to poor Ben today. It must have broken his heart.”
He blinked. What the hell? What could have been so bad that Ben didn’t say? “I know it’s been a hard day.” He’d tended bar in culinary school. He knew how to make leading statements.
“Jeanine has been with the firm from the beginning, and to just walk out before the huge Christmas party. And then to lose the party venue as well? Damn.”
“Word travels fast.” Her husband must work for Dale’s company, but he couldn’t recall for sure. “He’ll make it work.”
“Oh, he’s good at that. He’s super dad, right? He’ll figure this out.” She chuckled softly. “He looks happy with you, and Livvy adores you, so we’re all so happy.”
“Oh.” His grin stretched his cheeks so hard it almost hurt. “I’m having the time of my life.”
“Excellent. I hope you can come to the Christmas party I’m hosting on the twenty-third. Ben has all the details, and if he doesn’t, Liv does.”
“I’ll make sure to ask Ben.” The twenty-third. That was cutting it fine to the actual holiday, but he repeated it in his mind a few times.Mari, the twenty-third.Really he just wanted to call Ben.
“Good deal. Have a good one. Tell him to call if he needs us.”
“I will. Thank you so much.” Was this what it was like to be part of a couple? It was cool, if a little odd.
As soon as he walked off, he grabbed his phone and called Ben, surprised when Liv answered. “Hello, Gray. Daddy’s really yelling at Uncle Jack on the house phone. You’re still coming, right?”
“I am. I’m at the store to get some stuff. Did you want anything, kiddo?” She could be such a little adult.
“Dr Pepper for Daddy. We’re making tacos tonight?”
“We are. Do we need anything for that?” He turned in a circle, not even sure what he was here to get now.
“We have bison, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes—what else and I’ll look.”
“Hmm. Salsa and sour cream.” That would be plenty. He would buy one of those microwave bags of rice and a can of refried beans.
