“I hope you enjoy it. It’s another of the staples on the cafe menu. There’s something comforting about soup in winter that makes it really popular.” Tom placed his own bowl on the table before returning for a plate of sliced bread and placing that in front of Bailey too, along with a tub of butter.
For a while, the only sounds were the quiet noises of slurping, with the occasional request to pass the salt and pepper or the bread. They didn’t speak until the last of the soup had been sopped up with the remains of the sourdough.
Bailey put down his spoon with a sigh. “That hit the spot.”
“Dessert?” Tom offered.
“God, no. But thanks.”
“I’ve got brownies,” Tom coaxed.
“Aw, man. Really? I guess I could squeeze one in then.”
“Twist your rubber arm, huh?”
“It’s chocolate. How can I say no?”
They busied themselves in the kitchen making the drinks, Bailey filling the water reservoir of the small machine on the bench while Tom gathered the mugs. Bailey had made himself at home at Tom’s place in such a short time and Tom liked it. He liked it a lot.
They took the mugs and Tupperware of brownies to the couch and each took an end.
“I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to Ryan’s farewell.”
“He’s your best friend? The one who’s moving OS?”
“Uh-huh. It’ll mainly be people we work with but it’d be nice to have you there. Plus, Ryan is hassling to meet you.”
“He is, is he?” Tom chuckled.
“Shit. Sorry. It’s a bit quick isn’t it? You probably have no desire to meet my workmates and you’d be bored silly.”
“Hey, it’s okay.” Tom leaned over and placed a hand on Bailey’s thigh. “I’d love to meet your friends. Plus, by the sound of it, this might be the only chance I have to meet Ryan. Right? So, I’d love to come.”
“Thanks. We can always leave early if it’s a bust.”
“If you’re there, I’m sure I’ll have a great time.”
The happiness on Bailey’s face made Tom glad he’d agreed. Hanging out at someone’s work do wasn’t exactly high on his list of priorities.
But it suddenly turned out that making Bailey happy was.
