Page 18 of One More Yule Log
Oh, that wicked, wonderful grin. Was it real? God. Gray hoped it wasn’t just wishful thinking. They took the coffee and cake back to the den to sit and pretend to watch a movie.
It was easy to sit there, side by side on the love seat, laughing softly, eating bites of cake. It felt intimate and real and like the beginning of something.
Something he wanted.
“The cake is delicious.”
“It is. Your girl is determined.” He still had to help her a lot, but she was getting there.
“She gets that from her father. He was a go-getter.”
“Yeah. She’s a force of nature. Browbeat me into working for her in a heartbeat.” He winked when Ben glanced sideways to see if he was serious.
“That would be her dad, too, hmm?” Ben waggled his eyebrows, teasing him madly.
“You know it. I think her dad is amazing too.”
Ben’s blush was possibly the sweetest thing he’d ever seen. They just leaned together a little more, shoulder to shoulder, and he thought maybe he would beg a kiss, but before he could really get up the nerve, Ben’s deep, even breathing said the coffee was too late.
Someone needed sleep.
Oh, what an amazing, dear man.
Liv came in, shaking her head, blanket in hand. “Poor Daddy,” she whispered. “He has to work all the jobs all alone now.”
He nodded, slipping away without waking Ben. He grinned, holding a finger to his lips so he could lead her to the kitchen. “Let’s clean up a little. Will you be okay if I hit the road after that?”
“I’m fine. Daddy will wake up and make sure I got to bed.” So grown-up, so brave.
“You’re a star, honey.” He grabbed her for a spontaneous hug, knowing she liked them by now.
“I will be. You just wait.” God, to have that confidence.
“I’ll say I knew you before. Don’t forget us little people.”
Liv nodded solemnly. “When I do my first cooking segment on TV, I’ll thank you.”
Gray put his hand over his heart. “That’s awesome. Okay. Cleanup.” No sense leaving it for Ben or Fran to do. He and Liv were a great team.
“It’s almost done anyway, right? Just the dessert plates and mugs. Lickety-split.”
“Boom.” They got it all done, and he nodded, hands on his hips as he surveyed their work. “Good deal.”
“Oh, God, I fell asleep. I’m sorry.” Ben came into the kitchen, blinking at the light. “I bet you need to get going, huh?”
“I do. Thank you both so much for everything.”
“Thank you for coming over. We enjoyed it, so much.” Ben hugged him hard, and he closed his eyes, inhaling deep.
They broke apart, and he grinned. “Call me about Wednesday?”
“I will. Holler if you need me. I always have my phone.”
“Good night, Gray. Thanks for everything. It’s time for Daddy to go to bed now.”
“Night, hon.” He winked at Ben, letting the man walk him to the door. What a good night.
Totally unexpected too. He’d thought Ben would be polite, not…Ben. Not gently flirting and hot as hell and just as desperate for contact as Gray.
