“Oh?” Harlow frowned. “It’s okay if you’re busy…”
“It’s… it’s not that.” Simon swallowed. How could he explain? “I’m sure your friends are lovely people—”
“They are,” Jayne said with a shrug.
“—but I’m just… I don’t… I don’t think I’m ready for that, yet. Jayne has plans this weekend—”
“I do,” Jayne confirmed.
“—and I don’t want to stay out too late and make him late, you know? I look after Parker on weekend nights, and so it’s just… you know…complicated.”
Simon knew he was bad at lying, but he wondered if, by interspersing the truth, Harlow wouldn’t be able to tell. Judging by the look on his face, that wasn’t the case.
“Is it that you’re nervous?” Harlow asked. “I understand. Truth be told, I was nervous the first time I met them, too. It’s hard meeting people you’ve only known online. I was worried that they’d be different in person, or thatI’dbe different in person, and they wouldn’t like me. But all the guys are really sweet and understanding, and everyone pretty much matched up to how they act in chat.” That said, his expression changed. He offered Simon a small, but genuine smile. “They’ll be disappointed you can’t make it, but they’ll understand. Maybe we can make it work some other time.”
Some other time, when Simon was prepared physically and mentally for a big encounter, would work just fine. He returned Harlow’s smile, the heat creeping back into his cheeks. “Some other time works great. I’m sorry I’m… I’m such a spaz about some things.”
“You’re fine.” Harlow’s smile didn’t waver. “I’ll let them know, and we can plan something later. No big. While you guys finish up in here, I’m going to go grab a drink of water. Thank you for being honest with me, Simon. I’d rather you tell me what’s on your mind than suffer just because I suggested something. I want you to be happy in everything you do.”
“Th-Thanks.” Simon stared at his knees, too pleased to continue to hold Harlow’s gaze. Harlow was thoughtful in all things, well-rounded and resourceful. Simon didn’t just feel cared for—he felt heard. “I think I’m going to be here with Jayne for a little longer. I’ll see you later, okay?”
“Sure. See you then.” Harlow left the doorway. Once he was gone, Jayne shook his head.
“I see how it is,” Jayne said. “The shot’s done and you could have gone, but you’re after my cookies, aren’t you? You’re like that leprechaun. I should have known. All this time… all this time, and all that sex—it was a ploy to get your hands on my chocolate chips.”
Simon laughed, and the remainder of his anxiety dispersed. Parker chided him from the floor, babbling and rocking side to side, trying his best to roll over.
“I agree, Parker,” Jayne said. He dropped down and crossed the floor on his hands and knees, cooing at his son. “Your uncle Simon is a cookie thief, isn’t he? A big old mean cookie thief, ready to eat the chocolate I spent all day lusting after.”
Parker laughed and dropped his teether. Jayne scooped him up and lifted him high over his head, much to Parker’s delight. He laughed and grabbed at the air in the direction of Jayne’s face.
“And one day, I bet you’re gonna be a cookie thief, too, aren’t you?” Jayne cooed. He brought Parker in close and pressed kisses all over his face. “Most adorable cookie thief ever. I bet you’re going to give me shit when you start to speak, aren’t you? Gonna have your daddy’s knack for annoying people? I bet you will. You’re gonna be the best at it.”
Despite the long hours Jayne put in at work and the time he took away from his family on the weekends to unwind, he loved his son more than anything. Seeing him engage with Parker in such a heartfelt way made Simon’s sacrifice feel worth it. They were family, and family stuck together no matter what.
Simon snagged a cookie from the tray while Jayne blew raspberries on Parker’s stomach.
Maybe one day, Harlow would be part of their family, too, and Simon would get over his fear and meet his friends. If Harlow liked them, they had to be good people. But right now, in his current mental state, Simon wasn’t ready for that. He’d stay home and look after Parker, Shep, and Evie, if Harlow didn’t insist on taking her with him.
There would be other days and other opportunities. Harlow wasn’t going anywhere any time soon.
He was here to stay.
Simon grinned at nothing in particular and took a bite of the stolen cookie. For right now, life was sweet, and as long as Harlow was around, it would stay that way.
