Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36122 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36122 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
His attention was focused on Esteban and the ruse that was beginning to feel strangely real. Esteban handed him a stack of plates with a smile that made Russ’s insides do a funny little flip that Soren’s admittedly rare smiles had never inspired.
He liked working alongside Esteban, liked how he remembered little details like a plastic plate for Benny and wasn’t afraid to give Russ explicit instructions about where things should go. He was bossy in a similar must-have-things-right older sibling way as Judy, but something about his demeanor made it almost fun to follow orders, like there would be a reward later. There wouldn’t be, of course, no matter how flirty Esteban was being for the benefit of Russ’s family, but it was nice to daydream for a second.
In some alternate world, he’d know what to do to keep a sexy guy like Esteban happy and he’d be counting down until they were alone later, instead of dreading the end of this charade.
Don’t go getting a crush, he warned himself, but one look at Esteban lining up serving dishes, humming softly to himself, had him feeling like that horse might have already left the barn.
The table looked nice enough with all the food on it that both Judy and Connie wanted pictures with their phones. Bob fetched a booster seat for Benny from the car, and they all found chairs at the table, passing Esteban’s perfectly garnished platters around. It was a far cry from the crowded buffet at Russ’s parents’ place, but it was cozy nonetheless. And definitely a step up from years of mess-hall meals and rows of marines trying to distract themselves from homesickness.
Benny sat between Esteban and Judy, and Esteban continued to be crazy good with him, getting him to smile and try some turkey cubes.
“So when does he become a big brother?” Esteban asked Judy.
“Mid-January. It’s a girl! But I’m almost ready for her now. I’ve run Russ and Bob ragged on the nursery prep details. I’ll show you some pics after dinner.”
“All lavender,” Russ warned him. “Gallons of lavender.”
“So much purple,” Bob agreed.
“I am an equal-opportunity appreciator of colors.” Esteban laughed.
“You are the one with turquoise running shoes.” It was so damn easy to slide into banter with Esteban, be light and teasing in a way that he wasn’t with other people.
Conversation had never been his strong suit, but something about Esteban made him want to try, made him believe he might not be a total failure when it came to flirting. Maybe the fact this wasn’t “real” made it easier?
“I nominate you next time Judy goes paint shopping,” Bob said.
Shorter than Judy, with thinning brown hair, Bob was easy-going to a fault and quiet. He was the sort of guy who relaxed with his stock market app on his phone after a hard day crunching numbers. Russ had never known precisely how to relate to him, but he appreciated how dedicated Bob was to Judy and Benny. He ran the accounting department for Connie, and unlike Russ, he seemed to enjoy being cooped up in his office, often needing reminders to come out and eat.
“The nursery really does look splendid.” Connie smiled warmly.
Connie was the opposite of Russ’s own mother in many ways, always quick with a compliment, even as she held herself and people around her to high standards. Something about her made Russ want to impress her, earn her approval.
“And we can’t wait to welcome her,” Connie continued. “Bob Senior and I always wanted at least two. But life didn’t quite work out that way.” Her smiled dipped briefly as it usually did when referring to Bob’s father, who had died young. “I always did say Bobby was the work of three anyway. Kina agreed.”
“Mom. Kina agreed with you on everything important.” Bob’s good-natured laugh had a tinge of wistfulness to it at the mention of Connie’s late partner.
Russ had never met Kina, but apparently, she’d been a force of nature and a fiery artist with a national reputation. She was missed by their entire social circle.
“Smart woman.” Connie nodded.
“And no rushing Judy back to the business, either,” Bob added. “I’m already worried two is going to be exponentially more work than one.”
“I’m sure.” Connie paused between bites of food. “But that means I’ll be down two designers. Did I tell you and Russ that Michelle quit? Five years with us, and then she breaks up with her boyfriend two weeks after her big promotion and decides to winter in Hawaii. That’s the last time I give a promotion to someone with a relationship on the rocks.”
“So, you’ll have a designer opening?” Russ tried not to sound too interested, but he’d watched Michelle get promoted into the designer role without the position being formally announced so others might apply.
Not that he was jealous, but ordering crown molding and checking cabinet delivery times was tedious with long days of little human interaction. That might have suited Bob, but Russ was used to the fast pace of military life, where the role of supply specialist was much more active. He might not be an extrovert like Esteban, but he needed more challenge and stimulation from work. And he’d seen the jobs Michelle and Judy did—it reminded him of those long ago art classes, and he’d been surprised how much he wanted to try designing.