Mygaragedoorwasopen wide, letting the early-morning, mid-October air inside. The day was perfect, with the sun out, not a cloud in the sky, and temperatures at a comfortable 75 degrees. Still, I had my shirt off, letting the gentle breeze keep my skin cool as I worked.
A few years ago, I converted the garage into a woodworking shop, and I parked my car in the driveway.
As I listened to Nirvana in my earbuds, I grabbed my 10mm relief carving tool and gently scraped away the wood, creating an intricate pattern on the medallion I’d been working on. It was part of a hand-crafted console table that would sit behind my couch in the living room when I was finished. The table was made from black walnut. It was a sturdier wood, so it took more patience and sharp tools to create the design I wanted.
I blew away the wood shavings and looked closely at the design, seeing areas I had missed or needed to even out. The two medallions would be glued to the sides underneath the flat surface where the legs would form.
This was my element. This was where I always wanted to be. If I didn’t have my hobby, I’d be miserable. My job was uncreative, even if it was lucrative. Sex was fun, and Hugh and I did it often, especially with Atlas in our lives, but woodworking? It was my Zen. Carving silenced my mind as I focused on cutting, creating patterns, and loving the feel of wood underneath my fingertips.
I grabbed a piece of fine-grit sandpaper, rolled it up, and gently smoothed the intricate pattern on the medallion’s surface. I blew on it again and lovingly rubbed my thumb over the wood. It was a beautiful piece. I still had more to do, but it was going to be stunning when I finished, if I said so myself.
Who knew how long I’d been working? I tended to get lost in my work and music whenever I was out here, losing track of time. So, when someone touched my bare shoulder, I jumped out of my skin. I quickly yanked out my earbuds and turned to face Atlas, of all people.
He looked so sexy in his cropped pink T-shirt with a unicorn on the front. “Hey, baby. What are you doing here?”
He rushed to hug me, resting his head on my chest, covered in an apron I used for work. My arms wrapped tightly around him, and I rested my head on top of his.
“Hello, gorgeous.”
Warmth spread through me, holding this precious man, who was so affectionately sweet. When he looked up at me with his wide, dark eyes, I kissed the tip of his nose.
Before he could answer, Hugh stepped into the workshop, looking hot as fuck, still wearing his sunglasses. He always looked good in a suit, but in jeans and a simple T-shirt that fit him like a glove, he was drool-worthy.
“We texted you several times,” Hugh said.
I grabbed my phone without letting go of Atlas to look at the screen. Sure enough, there were about ten texts from both of them.
“Sorry, I got sidetracked.”
“Hugh said you’d probably be out here,” Atlas said. “I mean, you’re hot all the time, but you wearing only an apron, covered in sweat and sawdust, is strangely sexy.”
I flipped him around and pushed him against the workbench. “Oh yeah? You want a piece of my sweaty ass?”
“I always want your ass… Hugh’s, too, like all the time.”
I pulled him back up because it wasn’t the time or place, and draped an arm around his narrow shoulders. “What’s the plan then?” I asked Hugh.
“Go get cleaned up. We’re taking Atlas out on a date. A real one, and something we should have already done.”
Atlas bounced and clapped excitedly. “I can’t wait. We’re going to go to Great Falls and take pretty pictures, then we’re going to have lunch in Old Town Alexandria, and after that, Hugh promised me a movie with lots of popcorn.”
Hugh shrugged and smiled crookedly. “What can I say? It’s fun to spoil him.”
“It is indeed. All right then. Let’s go spend the day spoiling our princess.”
“Yes!” Atlas yelled and jumped like a cheerleader and ran off. “I’ll start the shower for you.”
I stepped up to Hugh before he could follow him. “Hey, did you place that order? That surprise for Atlas we talked about?”
“I did. It won’t be here for another couple of weeks, but it’s on the way.”
“He’s going to love it, I think.”
“Yeah, I think so, too.”
While the day was mild, it was much colder next to the falls. It had rained a few days ago, so the water was really rushing.
After hiking for about a mile, we hit a perfect overlook. There weren’t many people, so I could take pictures without worrying about having to edit them out.
