Page 43 of Allured
A choking noise that turns into a cough has us turning in the direction of the coat closet where Viv stands, patting her chest.
“Sorry— just love this coat so much.” She smiles reassuringly at us before running off to the kitchen. Probably to steal some more bread.
“She’s a weirdo but here, meet my other weirdos.”
Placing a gentle hand at the back of Ezekiel’s dress shirt, I take a moment to enjoy the feeling of having my hands on him again before I lead him to where Thomas and Rhett sit down in the living area.
“This is Thomas,” I begin, nodding over to the giant that makes my loveseat look tiny.
“Hey Ezekiel.” Thomas gives a kind smile and a small wave.
“And this is?—”
“Rhett, from the burger shop.” Ezekiel nods in acknowledgement.
“And you’re sweet potato!” Rhett chuckles, snapping his fingers and pointing over at Ezekiel.
“Dude, don’t tease him.” Thomas smacks Rhett in the chest with the back of his hand. Rhett rubs at his chest while trying to reach over and hit Thomas back.
“Apparently sweet potatoes are the inferior potatoes to order with a burger.” Ezekiel looks over at me and sighs. “I had to hear it from Alek, too.”
“They just don’t have good taste like we do, Ezekiel,” Thomas defends.
The timer goes off in the kitchen and Thomas and Rhett offer to go get everything set up. Ezekiel hands them the bottles of wine he brought.
Once they’re out of sight, I move to stand in front of Ez, rubbing the back of my neck in a move that’s part nervousness and embarrassment.
“So uh, that’s my family.”
“They’re lovely, Alek.” Ezekiel takes my hand away from my neck, and places a calming kiss to the knuckles.
His facial expression changes suddenly as he narrows his eyes over at the hallway closet. “Your sister isn’t going to steal my coat, is she?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
EZEKIEL
New experiences.
“Dinner was outstanding, Alek.” The praise leaves my lips while my hands are occupied with loading Alek’s dishwasher. Only he and I remain in his apartment, clearing the kitchen and dining room of discarded plates and serving materials.
The meal with his family was unexpected in the most entertaining of ways. Growing up with a relatively small family, in which we were more serious than not, I was not prepared for the amount of shenanigans these four got into.
Our time together was filled with recollections of embarrassing stories about Alek, some current events, and talk of school from myself, Viv, and Thomas. Thomas entertained us with stories of residency in his medical school. Rhett and Alek argued animatedly about the best shape of pasta. And Viv delighted in sharing the details of a gothic wedding dress she recently designed.
I was fascinated with the way conversation flowed so easily between them. Though, they didn’t let me just observe. Viv was curious about my family as well and I divulged information that I assumed to be appropriate for dinner talk.
At the end of our meal, Viv excused herself, saying she had to get back to a project she was working on. Thomas had to get back to his studies after dropping off Rhett for a late night shift at the burger shop.
“You can’t go wrong with Italian food.”
Jumping slightly from the sudden proximity of his voice, I peer over my shoulder in time to see Alek wrapping his arms around my waist and pressing himself directly into my back.
I bask in the moment. My eyes close while the back of my head gently rests on the upper swell of Alek’s chest. From this angle, I’m able to place a tender kiss on the sleeve of his shirt.
“Thank you for inviting me,” I whisper.
“Thank you for putting up with us.” He kisses my temple in reply and begins holding me even closer to him. “Spend the night, Ez.”
