After lunch, Ciaran went to wash up while Teddy and Geoff cleared up the dishes.
“What do you think of him?” Geoff asked.
Teddy always put effort into their guests’ comfort, but he’d gone beyond what Geoff had seen him do before.
“He seems like a genuinely sweet guy. I just want him to enjoy his time here. He’s away from his family.”
“He really is,” Geoff agreed. “He deserves a fun holiday.”
Geoff walked over and kissed the back of Teddy’s neck.
“You are such a kind and giving person,” Geoff said. “I still don’t know what I did to deserve someone as wonderful as you.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Teddy said, turning around. “Your exterior isn’t all of you. You’re a loving and wonderful person, too. You don’t see what I see.”
“What if we wait until after his nap and invite him to decorate with us?”
“I thought you wanted it to be just us.”
“Like you said, he’s far away from home. I don’t see any harm in having him help in our tradition.”
“See,” Teddy said, smiling. “You’re sweeter than you let on.”
Geoff kissed Teddy deeply and passionately. He loved this man. Together since high school, never wavering.
Chapter Eight
CIARAN
Ciaran washed his face and brushed his teeth.At least I have a place to stay until they clear the road, he thought with a sigh before heading back down the hall to the living room to find Geoff and Teddy coming out of the kitchen.
“I thought you guys were decorating?”
“We thought we’d invite you to help,” Teddy said. “Help you feel more at home.”
“That’s sweet, thank you.”
“Ready to have some fun, then?” Geoff asked.
“Let’s do this,” Ciaran said.
“Why don’t you two get the tree decorations sorted, and I’ll make some hot chocolate and grab some cookies?”
“Sure thing.” Geoff gave Teddy a kiss before taking Ciaran to the boxes.
Watching them, another pang of jealousy hit the pit of Ciaran’s stomach. He was thirty-six and had never had a long-term relationship. Did he have time to find someone to spend the rest of his life with, or was it too late?
“Here are the boxes,” Geoff said.
“Huh?” Ciaran looked over at Geoff. “Oh, yeah.”
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, fine. Just getting my bearings back.”
“Let us know if we can help.”
“I will.”
