Page 3 of Wants and Needs
“I know, but I’d rather get everything set up at your new home, and then in a few months I’ll be back here for Christmas.” His voice is so even, every word perfectly measured.
“All right then,” I sigh, then look back one last time to the foyer and the doors leading to the kitchen, the hallway, the stairs. “You’re gonna love the new place, Milton. There are about a million stairs for you to get all the exercise you need.”
“I’m sure there are, master Carter.”
“Oh,” I say, brightly now, and look up at him from the middle of the steps that lead to the street. “I’m going to bother you again, and this time hopefully convince you to call me something other than master.”
“What makes you think that?” he demands in a low tone, and with his challenging stare. I keep on smiling at him.
“Americans are sensitive about some subjects you know...” I trail off and see the wheels start to turn in his head. He narrowshis eyes on me for a beat too long, but then he looks beyond me. “Your car is here.”
My smile becomes triumphant as I stare at him for just another moment.
Yeah, I know I’m gonna see him again soon, but not here. Never again right here, so I let myself take the time and I send a silent thanks to my parents.
They made sure I’d always be taken care of.
And today is the day I stop disappointing them.
“See you soon, Milton. You better keep me updated when you’re ready for your trip. And I’ll be there to pick you up, okay?”
“If that’s what you wish,” he says softly as he walks past me and takes two suitcases to the back of the long towncar Ru arranged for today.
The man himself gets out and hurries to help Milton—so not like a lord—and Nate steps out behind him and gives me his always-mischievous smile.
It’s barely two minutes later that we’re in the car and heading toward Heathrow.
“Thank you again for driving me,” I tell Ru and Nate.
“Of course,” Ru says quietly.
“Yeah, dude, we wanted a little more time with you.”
I snort. “The boat ride on the river Cherwell wasn’t enough for you?”
Ru gives away his amusement with only a tiny lift of the corner of his lips, but Nate snorts just like I did.
“That was fun, wasn’t it?” He shakes his head, then reaches over and takes Ru’s hand. “We’ve got another date tomorrow,and Ru won’t stop bugging me about where it is, but I’m keeping it a secret, so don’t tell him, okay?”
“You know?” Ru demands of me.
I smile enigmatically, wanting to keep the mystery alive.
“I’ll see you both for Thanksgiving, won’t I?” I change the subject.
Ru’s torso bows back on the seat with how big a breath he takes.
“We’re not sure yet,” Nate hurries to say, and pats Ru’s thigh this time. “I’m going for sure, though, and I’m hoping we can see each other.” He offers me a much smaller than usual smile then. He’s clearly feeling unsure, but I don’t hesitate to agree.
“Of course. You have my number, and I’d love to see you. Both of you,” I add with a meaningful look at Ru. “I’m sure you can make up a great excuse to give the Lord involving one of the business clients you have in America.”
“Yeah, that’s the idea. The execution on the other hand...” He shakes his head and looks down, sets his hand on top of Nate’s, and after a beat, looks back up at me with a wide smile. “It was great reconnecting with you, though.”
“It was,” I murmur, and then I have to change the subject, so I ask Nate about his studies.
The rest of the drive passes quickly, with Nate carrying most of the conversation, thankfully, but too soon, the car stops at the drop-off zone, and I hear the driver open his door and walk to the back of the car.
“I’ll stay in here,” Nate says conspiratorially. Then he leans over and hugs me tightly. “See you soon, bro. Give a hug to my sister if she stops by the gallery.”
