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)
“Okay. All changed.” Esteban reemerged looking way too cuddly in flannel pants and a fleecy sweatshirt. Their condos might have lots of period charm, but they could also be drafty. If they were real boyfriends, Russ would be warming Esteban up every chance he got, but since it wasn’t, he merely followed Esteban into the kitchen.
“If I confess to never having eaten a fish taco, are you going to kick me out?”
“The state of California might.” Esteban laughed. “But me? I’m easy. First, we make some toppings, like cabbage. It’s sort of like coleslaw. If you like that, you’ll like this. And avocado.”
“I like things with toppings.”
“Good to know.” Esteban winked like he’d made a dirty joke.
And now he was stuck thinking about Esteban and sex again. Esteban was so…vivid. Would his extroverted nature carry over into bed? Would he be loud? Or maybe he channeled all his usual energy inward and got quiet? Did he kiss with the same passion he cooked with? Or was he more restrained?
The questions continued to poke at his brain as they worked together, making several small bowls of various toppings—shredded cabbage, avocados, a sort of mango salsa, a sour cream based sauce, and some lime wedges. Esteban was right—it was a fair bit of prep, but Russ didn’t mind. He liked being Esteban’s assistant, having defined tasks to do, and liked seeing him happy. The way he’d hum, moving to some internal beat, made Russ lighter too. It was easier to shake off his day with Esteban around.
“These are amazing,” he said as they dug in. The tortillas were from a local place, not a supermarket, and even Russ could taste the difference, especially loaded down with the flaky fish and all the toppings.
“And not that hard. A bit involved maybe, but you could make them on your own, I bet.”
Russ would rather have them with Esteban, but he couldn’t say that. “Maybe. I made chicken last night in the heavy skillet, like you showed me.”
“See? Look at you. Judy will be so proud of my efforts to turn you into a proper foodie.”
“Yeah.” The mention of his sister reminded Russ how temporary this whole thing was and made the food sit heavy in his stomach. “Speaking of family… You’re good with kids. What should I get Benny for Christmas?”
“You’ve come to the right guy to ask.”
Esteban was full of ideas, and they spent the rest of the meal debating various options, ending with an offer from Esteban to go shopping with him on Saturday. “We’ll get stuff for my nieces and nephews at the same time. It’ll be fun.”
“Sure.” Russ wasn’t about to be the one to remind him that they were supposed to be broken up by the weekend. Besides, friends shopped together all the time, and even if all he got out of this was a good friend, it was still a win. “Feel up to making fudge now?”
“I should,” Esteban groaned. “What I really want to do is collapse in front of the TV.”
“Then do it.” Russ made quick work of clearing their dinner plates. “You go find your show. I’ll load the dishwasher for you.”
“You’re too sweet.” He offered up a tired smile.
“You’re still recovering from the weekend. Go.” Russ pointed at the couch.
“Yes, yes.” Esteban pushed away from the table, and by the time Russ finished the dishes, he was stretched out on the sectional.
“I…uh…guess I’ll see you later in the week?” He hesitated near the door.
“Oh, I didn’t mean you have to leave.” Esteban patted the couch next to him. “I mean, if you need to work…”
“Nah.” Easily persuaded, Russ took the spot next to him. “Work can wait.”
“Good. Because you’ll like this one. It’s military, but in space. You can tell me all the ways they get chain-of-command wrong.”
“Sounds good. Would have figured you for more reality-TV-type shows.”
“Ha. You do know me well. I did see a lot of fodder for reality TV when I was living in LA. But I like variety, and I saw this one a few days ago and thought of you.”
“Thanks.” Warmth spread from the tips of Russ’s ears all the way to his feet.
Esteban thinking of him was nice. He hadn’t had a friend take care of him like this before, and it felt good, the psychic equivalent of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls.
Esteban didn’t last the whole episode, though, before he was asleep, and when his head tipped onto Russ’s shoulder, no way was Russ moving. He sat through a second episode, enjoying the simple pleasure of Esteban’s nearness, the softness of his hair against Russ’s neck, the little huffs of his breath, the citrus scent of his shampoo.
The cat was on his other side, and the whole scene was unbearably domestic. This. This was what he’d been looking for. This was why he’d put up with the stupid dating apps. This was what he’d wanted from Soren and never received. And to find it now, here, right next door…