“Caspian, so nice to see you again.” She smacks kisses on his cheeks.
“No time for dinner,” I shout from the stairwell. I get my toothbrush and a set of clothes for the morning.
I’m back in less than five minutes, but my parents have already adopted Caspian.
He’s changing a lightbulb in the living room with that casual competence he does everything with.
His shirt rides up just enough to show a sliver of carved muscle along his waist. It’s like a teaser of his abs and I want to binge the whole show.
Mom is hovering at his side, complimenting his every movement.
Dad is explaining why he prefers theBridgertonnovels to the series.
The second Caspian is done, Mom shoves a frozen lasagna into his hands.
“For the sleepover.”
“It’s not a sleepover!” I roll my eyes at her. “We’re not five.”
Mom ignores me. She’s too busy beaming at Caspian, like he saved two kittens while extinguishing a fire with the pure competence of his breath.
“This is so kind. Thank you,” he says, smiling warmly.
“I’ll get you another one!” Mom cries, sprinting toward the kitchen. I’ve never seen her move so fast.
“You need all your energy. All your stamina!”
“Mom, we’re leaving!” I protest. “No more food.”
“Wait!” Mom calls from the kitchen. She chases us out to the porch and thrusts another frozen lasagna into Caspian’s arms.
He accepts it as graciously as the first one. Mom promises to have three more waiting for him next time.
Then she asks if I remembered my toothbrush.
“My bambino is having an adult sleepover,” she says, dabbing her eyes.
She keeps waving as long as she can see us.
In the car, I put on “Be My Lover” by La Bouche.
Caspian doesn’t comment.
We drive in silence.
I try to think it’s a comfortable one, but my stomach is in a knot.
“Mom won’t stop now,” I say when the quiet gets too much. “She’ll bury you under lasagna sheets.”
“I appreciate her generosity,” Caspian says. “It’s nice to have home-made meals.”
I frown.
“What do you eat if not home-made meals? Raw protein alone in the dark?”
Caspian shrugs.
“This and that. Sometimes I eat with Cole and Noah.”
