“Never?”
“Nope. Pretty fucking sad, huh?” Zach turned. He picked up the cutting board with the buttered bread and set it next to the stove. “I feel like I wasted almost ten years looking for the right woman to start a family with when the right man was next to me the entire time.”
Zach set a large frying pan on the electric stove and turned on the burner. As it warmed, he crossed the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. He rummaged through the plastic drawer and pulled out the deli-sliced packages of American and pepper Jack cheese. As he straightened, Zach caught Cael’s contemplating gaze.
“What?” Zach asked, raising both eyebrows, his grin widening.
A smile formed on Cael’s lips, and he extended his hand toward Zach. “Come ‘ere.”
Zach closed the fridge and went to Cael, taking his hand. With a strong tug, Cael pulled his best friend to him. He wrapped his other arm around Zach’s back, holding him tight, and kissed him with all the passion and warmth and love he had for this man.
“I’m sorry,” Cael whispered.
“Don’t be sorry,” Zach mumbled into their kiss. “Just move in with me.”
Cael laughed against his lips. He pulled back. “Haven’t I already done that?”
“Not officially.” Zach slipped out of Cael’s grip and continued making the grilled cheese sandwiches. “When’s your lease up?”
“End of July. Need help?”
“No, but will you check on Taylor?”
Cael peered over the granite peninsula and beamed. Taylor was standing in her playpen, holding the top edge, dancing and singing—or at least attempting to sing—to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the TV. So cute. “She’s good. Completely ignoring us.”
“Okay, so, July. That gives us plenty of time to move your stuff over without having to rush. Besides, is there really any point to you keeping your townhome when you pretty much live here as it is now?”
“I suppose not, and we could use the extra money. I know Taylor’s daycare isn’t cheap.”
“Neither are fucking diapers, plus I’m still paying the mortgage on Abbey’s condo and her water and electric bills.”
“Frack, Pook. I forgot about that.” Cael knocked back the last of his beer. “You know, if you need any money, I’ll help however much I can.” He opened the cabinet and dropped the bottle in the recycle bin.
Zach pushed around the sandwich in the frying pan, flipping it occasionally. “I know, and I’m getting by okay right now, but if you just move here permanently, you can help out by taking care of some of the bills. Besides that.” Zach plated the cooked sandwich and glanced over his shoulder at Cael. “I want this to be your home.”
Zach turned back to face the stove and carefully placed a piece of buttered sourdough in the pan, topped it with two slices of American cheese, a slice of pepper Jack, and another piece of bread. With the spatula, he pushed the sandwich around in the pan.
“I want to be your home,” Zach added softly, as if talking to himself, but Cael heard him, and his heart swelled in his chest.
Cael stepped up behind him and placed his hands on Zach’s hips. “You’ve always been my home, Pook,” Cael whispered. “From the moment I fell in love with you.”
Cael leaned in close and kissed the back of his neck. Zach fell quiet.
“What? No witty comeback about me getting all mushy?”
Zach gave his head a shake as he flipped the sandwich over.
“Hey. What’s wrong?”
Silence.
“Pook?”
Zach sucked in a sharp breath. “Nothing’s wrong. Just something I remembered.”
“Tell me.”
Zach slid the second sandwich onto a plate. Before starting the third, he turned and faced Cael, his eyes shining with happiness.
