Page 15 of One More Yule Log
“Oh. Me either, if it makes you feel better.” He spread his hands apologetically.
“Can we watch it together? All three of us? Please, Daddy?”
“Well, if Mr. Gray says so…”
“Absolutely.” He would have agreed to anything when she turned those big eyes on him. Since it also happened to be what he wanted…
“Well, then we’ll all have to plan an evening with popcorn in the media room.”
“I love to make popcorn!” Olivia clapped her hands.
“We have an air popper,” Ben said.
“I can’t wait. It’s so nice to have something to look forward to.”
“Is this weekend too soon? I mean, as we have the concert on Wednesday.” Ben was so sweet, offering him a way out.
“Not at all. I would love to take a load off my feet by, uh, well. One night?” He laughed. “I never have weekend plans, so I can work around you guys.”
“We were going to look at the lights in Glenwood Saturday…”
“Oh, fun! You should come into the shop toward the end of the day and we can maybe do dinner, then come watch?” His heart kicked into high beat, excitement revving it up.
Ben nodded, Olivia applauded, and they shared a look, a smile, and that made his cheeks heat.
They finished up supper, and he was just flying. Not from the wine. He would be fine to drive home. Damn it.
The three of them did dishes together, and then Olivia ran off for her reading time, leaving Gray alone with Ben.
“I—” Gray cleared his throat. “I really do want to come to the concert and movies Saturday and all, but I want to make sure you don’t feel like you have to because of Liv. I mean, I’m not a creeper.”
“I really do want you to come. I don’t want you to feel obligated because of my girl, though.”
“Liv is amazing.” He glanced kinda sideways at Ben. “So are you.”
“I’m just a guy who lucked out.”
“Maybe. I can see a lot of you in Liv and vice versa, though, so I think you work hard at being a good dad.” A good man, he thought.
“I do. I really do.” Ben looked suddenly so vulnerable.
“It’s got to be tough.” Gray found himself rising to give Ben a hug. He didn’t have cookies, so a hug would have to do. God, Ben was warm, solid, sensual. Yum.
Ben hugged him back, sighing softly. “I’m lucky; I know it.”
“You are, but sometimes life can get overwhelming.” He knew that.
“Sometimes. You forget how good things are. Used to be. Whatever.”
Oh, someone was desperate for touch. That was okay; he was a champion hugger. Ben could hold on as long as he needed. The warmth was amazing.
“Thank you. Seriously. I needed that.”
“No problem.” When Ben patted his back, he took the universal signal and backed off. “I needed it too.”
“Well, good. I’m glad I could help. Seriously.”
“I—do you mind if I sit for a minute for the wine to wear off?” He probably needed to head out, but he wasn’t ready for the night to end.
