Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

G rey walked to the stove and lifted the lid. Stirring the fragrant mixture, he laughed to himself. Chicken soup healed all wounds.

There was more to Mack’s story than he’d gleaned from him. Hopefully, he’d feel comfortable sharing more as they got to know each other.

This feeling of instant connection with Mack was a challenge. Grey always trusted his gut in business. After dealing with all sorts of clients in his law practice, Grey felt comfortable in detecting the bad guys. Bad being someone who didn’t tell him the truth. There was nothing worse than finding out your client had withheld information integral to the case because it made them look like they’d done something wrong. When they got on the witness stand, they really looked guilty. Then every juror automatically questioned anything that came out of their mouths.

Mack wasn’t one of the bad guys. Grey was sure of that.

And their instant connection? He had to trust his intuition on that as well. He’d never felt this strongly about anyone in his life. When his last relationship broke up, Grey had taken a step back from dating. He knew he wasn’t finding the one who would make his life complete in all the right ways.

A sound behind him made Grey turn around. Mack stood apprehensively behind him. “Hey. Did you get unpacked?”

“I figured I’d live out of my suitcase for a while. Just in case you decide I need to get out of here quickly.”

Grey studied his face. “If that makes you feel better, perfect. I’m not planning on you going anywhere. Are you hungry?”

“Whatever that is, it smells amazing,” Mack said in a rush. “Armando’s was the best meal I’ve had in a while. Ramen gets old.”

Cringing at the thought of that salty mix, Grey nodded. “I have a recipe for a salad using those blocks of noodles. That’s the only way I love that stuff.”

“Oh! I’ve tried that. It has those little canned oranges in it and almonds,” Mack said. “That is good. I’ve never made it. I’m okay with simple stuff—grilling, ramen, microwavable stuff.”

“We’ll make it together sometime. I haven’t had it in a long time. If it’s okay with you, we’ll eat in the kitchen tonight.”

“Of course. What can I do to help?”

“How about filling up those cups with some milk? The carton is in the fridge,” Grey requested.

“I can do that. You drink milk?” Mack asked as he grabbed the gallon jug.

“I’m an addict,” Grey admitted as he ladled a large portion of the delicious mixture into a bowl.

“I guess there are worse things to be addicted to,” Mack said with a chuckle.

“Definitely. There’s chocolate syrup in the door if you like yours sweetened up a bit,” Grey shared. “Whatever is in the pantry or fridge is fair game to eat or drink. Please help yourself.”

“Oh. I won’t eat you out of house and home,” Mack assured him, studiously avoiding looking at him.

Grey moved, caging him against the counter. He took the plastic container from Mack and set it next to the glasses. “Look at me, please.”

Mack shook his head.

Lifting one hand to cup his jaw, Grey tilted Mack’s head up until their eyes met. “I want to make sure you understand. I’m never going to say something just for the sake of being polite. Whatever I tell you is the truth without any hidden traps or puzzles. Understand?”

“Hey, Grey. I appreciate all you’ve done for a server you just met today…”

“I’m not doing anything for a handsome waiter I met today. I want to do everything for the Little inside you who’s afraid to come out.”

“How do you know I’m Little?”

“I definitely can’t read your mind and pick out your desires and fantasies. But you’ve told me a bit and there are small clues that jumped out at me.”

“Like what?” Mack asked defensively.

“The small creature you had tucked into your bun. Where is he now?”

“In my pocket,” Mack whispered after a short pause while he obviously debated whether to share his friend or not.

“Thank you for being honest. Could I meet him?” Grey asked with a smile.

Slowly, Mack reached between them to pull a small plush creature out. He raised his hand between their chests and opened his fingers to display a stuffed otter. “This is Poutine.”

“Hi, Poutine. I’m so glad you keep Mack company. And can I say you have a delicious name?”

“Do you know what poutine is?” Mack asked, looking surprised.

“Poutine with a capital P is a very handsome otter, if I’m not mistaken. While poutine with a small p is a very tasty dish made of French fries, cheese curds, and brown gravy.”

He laughed at the look on Mack’s face. “You don’t think I know good food?”

“You’re in too good of shape to eat all that bad for you stuff,” Mack suggested.

“Treats every once in a while are good for your soul.” Changing his focus to the otter, Grey brushed a finger over the stuffie and said, “I’m so glad to meet you, Poutine.”

“She likes you. No one ever notices her. Poutine thinks you’re special.”

“Now, if I can just make one special Little boy think I’m special, too. Mack, do you understand? You’re not a guest here. Unpack. The kitchen and pantry are open for you. If you’re a slob and make a mess, you’ll clean it up with a sore bottom. We’ll negotiate rules first, of course.”

“Rules about cleanliness?” Mack asked.

“Littles need rules to be safe and happy. For example, you may use the microwave whenever you want, but the stove is off-limits.”

“And if I forget and use it?” Mack pushed.

“Then you’ll earn a consequence. Your dinner is getting cold. Want to finish making yourself some chocolate milk?”

“Yes.”

“Go for it. Just white for me,” Grey requested.

In a few minutes, they sat at the table. Each had a large bowl of the chicken and dumplings Grey’s housekeeper had left simmering on the stove. Grey dipped his spoon into the thick mixture and lifted a bite to his mouth. He blew on it for a few seconds before popping it into his mouth.

“It’s good. Be careful. It is hot,” he warned Mack.

“Steamy hot. Just the way I like it.” Mack took a big bite without allowing it time to cool it off.

“Ahh!” He opened his mouth, waving his hand in front of his lips. “Hot!”

Grey grabbed a pile of napkins from the table and held it to Mack’s lips. “Spit it out.”

“Take a drink!” He wadded the mess into a ball and took it over to the trashcan. Stopping at the refrigerator, he dispersed some ice cubes into his hand.

“That was stupid,” Mack confessed as he took another drink.

“Here. Let’s cool that milk down a bit more.” Grey dropped two ice cubes into the glass and added two to Mack’s steaming bowl.

“That’s better,” Mack sighed in relief.

“Did you burn your mouth?”

“I’m okay. Just an idiot. I should have listened,” Mack confessed.

“Yes. Heeding my warning that it was hot would have helped you. You are, however, not an idiot and not stupid. I don’t want to hear you speak poorly about yourself.”

“Let me guess. That’s going to be another rule,” Mack said, laughing.

“Yes.”

At that simple answer, Mack looked at him in surprise. He opened his mouth to say something and then closed it as if he’d had second thoughts. Mack stirred his soup, letting some of the heat disperse and cooling it off with the ice cubes.

“You can tell me anything, Mack,” Grey told him softly.

Mack looked back up at him and nodded before looking back at the bowl. “You really mean this, don’t you? It’s not like a game you’re playing.”

“Look at me, Little boy.” Grey waited for Mack to gather his courage and look up. When he did, Grey assured him, “I don’t play games. That isn’t fair to you, and it won’t benefit me. Hopefully, we’ll discover we’re as good of a match as I think we are. Maybe it’s not right. We’ll never know until we try. Are you willing to take a risk? To be honest about what you need and want?”

When Mack hesitated, Grey added, “You’re safe here. If this doesn’t work out, you can stay here for a couple of months as a friend getting back on his feet. No pressure.”

“You’re really that great of a guy? I thought you said you were a lawyer,” Mack said, obviously trying to ease the tension with a joke.

“I am. Fair warning. I plan to take advantage of our friendship when I stop in at Armando’s. Free bread for me while you live here.”

“Everyone gets free bread at Armando’s,” Mack said, looking confused.

“Then that works perfectly. Eat, Mack. Relax. We’ll talk about the tough stuff tomorrow. You’ve had enough happen today.”