Page 34 of Painting Together a Family
“I know, right?” Bry did it again, cracking more of his burned sugar top.
Dev cracked his own, grinning as the solid top splintered. Then he spooned up a little custard, a little sugar. It was so tasty.
Bry closed his eyes as he ate, and hummed a little. Damn, that was lovely.
The dessert was okay for sure, but… it wasn’t Bryan. The man ate the entire dessert like that, one spoonful after another until the entire bowl was empty.
He was about halfway done with his own, and he pushed it over with a smile. “Have at it.”
“Are you sure?” Despite the words, Bryan was already picking up his bowl and putting his spoon in before Dev had a chance to answer. “Mmmm. I should probably have samples of this from other places before I say this is the best creme brulee ever, you know?” Bryan laughed at himself.
“I bet that’s a thing.” A creme brulee flight or some such.
“We could make it a thing. I could research all the places that do creme brulee and we could go out one evening and hit all the ones in the same area.” Bryan shook his head. “Here I am, planning to monopolize another of your days.”
“If I’m not working, I’m pretty open.” When he was working, he was in it, all the way.
“Well, I’ll do some research, see if there are clusters of restaurants that serve creme brulee and compile a couple of lists, and if you aren’t sick of me after our cooking day, maybe we can start comparisons sometime after that,” Bryan suggested.
“Sure. Why not?” Maybe they could hire a cook to deal with it. Either way, it would mean more time with Bryan, and he was all for that.
“It sounds delicious and fun.” Bryan sat back, smiling. “This has been an amazing afternoon. Thanks.”
“It has been. I agree. I hope you’re looking forward to doing it again.” Because he was.
“Absolutely. I’m so glad we’re getting together with the kids for dinner on Wednesday. And then our cooking date on Thursday. Oh, if it’s okay to call it a date.”
“It’s perfectly fine, yes. It is. It’s a date.”
Bryan’s smile was part shyness, but all pleased. “Good.”
And it was.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Bryan walked over to Dev’s place with the boys, one on either side of him, holding their hands. He was looking forward to seeing Dev again. Enjoying his time with the man more and more and, Bryan was not in the least bit put out they would be seeing each other at least three times this week.
“Are we there yet?” Dylan asked.
“Just another block.”
“It’s so far.” Micah had been repeating that particular sentiment since the first block. And it was only eight blocks from their place to Dev’s.
“I think you’ll survive. And Mr. Dev is ordering something yummy for us to have for supper.”
“Tacos?” Micah asked.
Bryan chuckled. His boy would do pretty much anything if he was promised a taco as a reward. “You’ll have to ask him.”
They got to Dev’s building and went in. The security guard was the same guy as the last time they’d come, and he gave them a nod, clearly recognizing them. Bryan took the boys to the elevator, and up they went.
It felt ritzy and decadent somehow, living in a fancy apartment building like this. It suited Dev somehow, too. He wasso glad for Dev that Grant’s thievery hadn’t kept him down for long.
The elevator dinged and out they went, the boys running to Dev’s door and knocking.
“Mr. Dev! We’re here!”
Marley opened the door, and the teenager had been crying. “H-hey.”
