“I don't get hysterical.”
I snorted. “Of course not.”
“What is that?” He was suddenly standing at my shoulder.
Ah, yes—the power of bacon.
“This is bacon. It's one of my favorite foods.” I grabbed some paper towels, put them on the counter, and set the bacon on them to drain. I know. Don't come for me. Then I got some plates. When I turned back, Kaspian was eating a slice of bacon. “Hey! You're supposed to wait until I have everything finished.”
“No,” was all he said.
I burst out laughing. “Yeah, all right. Bacon is impossible to resist.” I broke a piece in half and popped it in my mouth before I took the pan over to the island so I could slide the veggies into it. “Just one piece!” I smacked Kaspian's hand when he reached for another. “I'm putting it in our omelets.”
“It's perfect as it is.” He made another grab for the bacon.
“No!” I smacked him again.
Kas jerked his hand back and narrowed his eyes at me.
“Go sit down!” I pointed at the stool.
He made grumbling sounds but did as he was told. As I gathered some spices, I heard the grumbles turn to sighs. A glance over confirmed that he had remembered his coffee.
Shaking my head and grinning, I got back to cooking. The kitchen filled with the scent of oregano and thyme along with asparagus, mushrooms, onions, garlic, and tomatoes. Lovely. As they cooked, I tossed some leftover bread I'd gotten from Mana into the toaster oven. When the veggies were done, I scooped them onto a plate, beat the eggs, and made the first omelet, filling it with veggies, bacon, and some cheese. I slid the plate onto the island in front of him.
“There. Try that.” I went back to the stove to make mine.
A few seconds later, Kaspian declared, “This is very good indeed, Demetrius.”
“Met,” I said. “Remember? Call me Met.”
He grunted.
The toaster dinged just as I finished cooking. I gathered the butter, my plate, and the bread, then took them to the island. After setting everything down, I climbed on the second stool beside Kas, then got right to eating. First things first—I tore off a chunk of bread, then handed the warmed loaf to Kaspian.
He didn't need instruction. As I buttered my piece, he tore off his own hunk. Like a pro, Kas slathered on the butter, then used the bread to help push bits of omelet onto his fork. We were soon making happy food sounds together.
When we were done, I washed up. It didn't take long since there were only our plates, utensils, and one pan.
“You wanna sit in the backyard while we digest?” I grabbed my coffee and cellphone.
“Certainly.” He followed me out the backdoor and over to the iron chairs I had under the cherry blossom tree.
I sat down and leaned back to look up at the fluffy pink blossoms. They wouldn't last long, and then I'd be paying the price for this display, raking up pink snow. But they sure were pretty while they lasted. And who am I kidding? I don't rake up shit. I leave them to rot. It fertilizes the soil.
I'm not someone to harp on how long things last. As I mentioned, the old me would have been happy with a single night with Kas. But the arrival of the morning sun hadn't changed my new goal. In fact, I was resolute now. I was going to get more than one night with Kaspian. And I wasn't above using his situation to my advantage. He needed me. He had already adjusted his attitude for me. What else would Kaspian be willing to do for his only friend?
My phone rang.
Grimacing at it, I wished I hadn't brought it outside with me. But a firefighter can't leave his phone unattended. He might be needed at any moment. I picked up the phone and saw that it was the station. Yup, just as I feared.
After swiping the screen, I held it up to my ear. “Met here.”
Kas watched me intently. The phone. Right. I hadn't told him about those yet.
“Met!” Gromit hissed.
I jerked upright. “Yeah, man. What's wrong?”
