His aunt returned his kiss, then gave his shoulder a playful smack. “Put me down, you great eejit! I want to kiss your sweet hubby.”
Colin set her on her feet and smiled as she hugged Joshua. “And howareyou, my boy? Lordy, you took the heart out of me when you were taken that way. Your mom-in-law was near frantic with worry over how badly you were hurt, as were we all here.” She turned and laid a hand on Colin’s arm. “And I know thatthisone was fit to die.”
“Thank you, Ahn-tee,” Joshua said, returning her kiss. “I’m sorry everyone was worried. I’m fine now. Colin takes good care of me.”
“Come in, all of you!” Aileen said, ushering David and Nate into the house.
“Hello, Aileen,” David said, embracing her. “Haven’t seen you since Colin and Joshua’s wedding? Thank you for having us.”
She blushed as she returned David’s embrace, and Joshua nudged Colin’s arm. “Told you. She still has a crush on the Professor.”
Aileen turned to Colin and pointed toward the kitchen. “Collie, hot foot it in there and grab drinks for all from the fridge. And bring that plate o’cookies from the table too. Sit, sit!” she told the others.
“I could help Colin,” David offered, but Aileen waved him toward the sofa. “Sit, David. Collie knows what’s what in that kitchen. He’s been mucking about in there, making a mess since he was five.”
Colin wandered back in with an armful of sodas and began to hand them out to everyone. “Swear to god, Ahn-tee, I’m wrecked! What’s for dinner? Can I help? Josh! Where are you? Where’s the cookies!”
“Darlin’, I’m right behind you,” Joshua said, his voice a warm, low murmur. He set the tray of cookies on the coffee table and moved toward his husband. “Colin?”
“Oh! Jeez! Sorry, babe. I—I…” Colin sucked in a quick breath and froze, staring into his husband’s eyes.
Joshua moved to Colin’s side and took his arm. Without a word, he guided Colin to the couch and pressed him down, lowering himself onto the sofa beside him. He took Colin’s face between his palms, his thumbs moving in a slow, gentle glide across the soft skin beneath Colin’s eyes. He drew a deep breath and whispered: “Take a breath.”
Colin nodded. He inhaled deeply, then exhaled a long, slow breath, his eyes still fixed on Joshua’s, then leaned forward into his arms, his face pressed against his husband’s neck.
“Just breathe,” Joshua whispered again, his arms tight around Colin’s shoulders. “Long and slow, my beautiful love.”
Colin nodded but said nothing.
“You’re tired and a bit overwhelmed.” Over Colin’s shoulder, he saw Aileen’s eyes widen in alarm, and he reached to touch her hand. “He’s ok,” Joshua whispered. “He’s just exhausted, and his blood sugar took a dip.” He squeezed her hand, still gripping Colin tight with his other arm. “Might you have some orange juice, Ahn-tee? It’ll perk him right up.”
She nodded, rose, and moved quickly toward the kitchen. “Right away, Joshua.”
Nate knelt beside Colin and touched his shoulder with a trembling hand. “Colin?”
Colin leaned back and smiled, then blew out a quick breath and ruffled Nate’s hair. “I’m fine, buddy.”
“Collie?” Aileen’s said, her voice wavering. She held out a glass of orange juice. “Here ye go, lad.”
Colin took the juice and quickly kissed his aunt’s hand. “Thank you, Ahn-tee. I’m OK now.” He downed the juice, wiped his mouth with one hand, and heaved a long breath. “Wow! That felt weird!”
“Your blood sugar plummeted,” Joshua told him, carding his fingers through Colin’s hair. “I could see it in your eyes. Not surprising. You haven’t eaten since last night.”
“I used to go all day without eating,” Colin grumbled, munching a cookie.
“Yeah. When you weretwenty.”
Colin shot him a scowl and reached for another cookie. “You’re the one who’s supposed to be resting and recovering on this trip, not me.”
“I’m sure I’ll get around to it.”
Aileen rose and moved toward the kitchen. “I’m going to whip up a meal. Something other than cookies. Get this boy back on his feet.”
David rose from the couch. “Aileen, may I help?”
“Of course! Great fun to have a handsome man loitering about my kitchen. Especially if he’s willing to help.”
“Could you deal withtwo?” Nate asked.
