As he came into the flats, he remembered Jonas’ words. After the happy ever after, there was work to be done getting used to each other. Maybe that’s what made him uneasy about Carmine.
Of course, Noah had had other relationships before. They hadn’t been all-encompassing like this one appeared to be. They’d never met Malcolm or even Ashley. Now Noah had met Monica, he guessed Carmine was working up to telling the rest of his family.
Noah would support that. Whatever it took. Living openly and authentically was the only way to find happiness. Being at Brockton had only reinforced that.
The curried goat with all the trimmings had been amazing. Worth coming off the straight and narrow for. Noah had been tempted by seconds but his will power had prevailed.
Later on, he put out some crudites, homemade popcorn and chickpeas he’d covered with spices and air fried. All little tips from the nutritionist.
Half an hour later and Carmine sat on his sofa. He had put a huge bar of chocolate and multipack of crisps on the table. Noahtried not to act as if Carmine had brought toxic waste into the flat.
He must have failed as he caught Carmine frowning at him.
“Can’t you have a nibble?” he asked, waving the chocolate at Noah.
Noah kissed him on the cheek. “Only of your neck. It’s calorie free.”
He proceeded to nuzzle Carmine, who squirmed out of his reach.
“That tickles.”
Noah grinned. “What movie do you want?”
“I don’t mind,” Carmine replied. “I might not be able to concentrate anyway.”
Carmine ripped open the chocolate wrapper and broke himself a square off.
“Are you still allowed to kiss me if I’ve eaten this?”
“Of course. Please don’t come for me because I take my job seriously.”
It came out harsher than he’d intended. Carmine looked as though he’d been slapped across the face.
“I’m only joking.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I guess I’m overtired. I was going to get a nap in this afternoon. Instead I got stuck with Tito and Marge.”
Carmine frowned. “I can go if you prefer.”
Noah drew him close. “I don’t prefer.”
Quickly he put the movie on. He hadn’t liked the direction the conversation was headed.
“I was thinking,” Carmine said eventually. “How about we go somewhere on holiday in the summer? Italy maybe. Just you, me and a load of wine. I want to see you relaxed.”
Noah had been drunk about three times in his life. He didn’t like being out of control.
“A holiday sounds fun,” he conceded. “I might disappoint you with drinking. It’s not my bag overall. I don’t mind a beer.”
“Fair enough. I’ll drink the wine then.”
Noah grabbed the remote, turning the volume up slightly. He didn’t want to continue this conversation either. The worry that he wasn’t fun enough for Carmine was very real.
“How is the campaign to save your brother’s league going?”
Noah stiffened. Tonight, conversation with Carmine seemed to be a minefield rather than the usual easy chat.
“They need around a million to keep it safe for ten years,” Noah replied.
