6. Taran

CHAPTER 6

TARAN

My offer for dinner had been genuine—I just wanted to bring a little light into Wynter’s eyes, to make him feel welcome in a town that hadn’t changed much since he left. But maybe I should have backed off when he said Lisa couldn’t make it. Maybe I should’ve allowed him to process whatever was weighing him down. Still, there was something in his voice, a note of loneliness, that I couldn’t ignore. Not after decades of friendship. Not after everything he’d done for me when I was barely holding it together after Royce died. Wynter had been my rock back then.

How could I abandon him now?

Maybe he was fighting the same demons Royce had. Maybe he needed someone who’d been there, seen it too. I might not be able to fix things for him, but I could be there. I owed him that much.

I straightened up, taking a last look in the mirror. Dark jeans, a navy sweater that actually fit well—clean, comfortable, no fuss. This wasn’t a date, after all, just two friends getting together. Yet it felt good to wear something that made me look like myself again.

Just then, Rory walked in and gave me a long, suspicious look. He crossed his arms. “You’re going out?”

“Meeting a friend,” I said, trying to keep it casual.

“A friend,” he repeated, his eyes narrowing like he didn’t quite buy it.

I shrugged, glancing back in the mirror. “I called Mrs. Molder. She’s coming over to keep an eye on you.”

Rory sighed, heavy and long, then flopped down on the bed. “I’m not a little kid, Dad. You could’ve left me alone.”

“I know you’re not,” I said, sitting next to him, “but I’d still worry. Besides, you don’t have to hang out with Mrs. Molder; you can do your thing.”

He let out a dramatic sigh, looking up at the ceiling. “Fine. I’ll read Percy Jackson. Happy?”

“Very.” I checked my phone as a reminder popped up. “And don’t stay up too late, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah.” He rolled his eyes, but a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. Then he surprised me with a quick hug. “Have fun, Dad. Don’t do anything weird.”

I chuckled, pulling him into a one-armed side hug. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Mr. Responsible.”

After Mrs. Molder arrived, I got into my car and headed to the restaurant. I couldn’t shake the feeling of leaving something unfinished back there. Why didn’t I just tell Rory I was going out with Wynter? He was a friend, and this certainly wasn’t a date. But Rory was protective, wary of any new person who might come between us. I couldn’t blame him, not after everything we’d been through. It’s not like I’d been interested in dating since Royce died. I didn’t have the time or energy to devote to a guy who probably couldn’t handle the pressure of dating a single, working dad.

I let the thought slip as I focused instead on Rory’s Christmas gift. If I budgeted right, I could get it for him soon. The thought twisted something in my gut, though, as it always did around this time of year. No matter how hard I tried to make Christmas special for him, it was still tied to that anniversary—the day Royce left us.

And some part of me still resented him for that. For leaving, for making it so damn hard to move on. Damn him for ruining this special day for my son. But even as that flicker of anger flared, I buried it back down. It wasn’t Royce’s fault, not really. I just needed to find a way to stop carrying this guilt around, although deep down I knew it wasn’t my fault, either.

I mentally shook myself out of my thoughts and focused on the evening ahead. A mix of excitement and nerves buzzed in my chest. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t just a casual dinner, no matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise. With Wynter, the lines had always felt a bit blurred. We’d shared a close connection for as long as I could remember—so close that he was one of the first people I’d come out to. What he didn’t know, though, was that I’d had a crush on him that started when we were kids, around ten or eleven. That was when I first understood I was gay, when I realized that my feelings for one of my best friends went beyond friendship. But I’d never been able to tell him that, of course. Even then, I knew confessing my feelings would ruin our friendship.

So, there I was—the gay kid whose two best friends were straight–well, it turned out that Royce wasn’t straight like I thought, and I’d ended up marrying him. And I’d had a crush on the one I was about to have dinner with tonight.

And speak of the devil—there he was, standing at the entrance to Funky Gourmet, hands tucked into the pockets of a dark-gray wool jacket, the collar turned up against the chill. Beneath it, I caught a glimpse of a navy sweater layered over a flannel shirt, just enough color showing at the collar to make it casual but put-together. He had on a pair of dark jeans and rugged, insulated boots that looked like they’d handle snow as easily as any mountain trail. His breath showed in faint puffs, and his cheeks were slightly pink from the cold, making his eyes stand out even more in the evening light.

As I approached, he looked up and saw me, a slow smile spreading across his face. There was something about seeing him like this, relaxed and comfortable.

He reached out, gripping my shoulder with a light squeeze. “Hey, you made it.” His voice was warm, a touch softer than his greetings in the past. How I wished we could get back to the easy familiarity we’d had once upon a time.

“Yeah, glad you’re here.” I clapped his shoulder in return before we headed in. It was funny, thinking how just yesterday we’d greeted each other with stiff politeness when he first got back to our small town. This was… different.

Wynter led us to a corner booth, motioning for me to sit before taking his own seat.

The restaurant was low-key, but with enough charm to make it feel like a special spot in our little town. It had a warm, rustic vibe—exposed brick walls, soft lighting, and touches of pine garland hung over the windows, adding a hint of the season. A small Christmas tree glowed in the corner, its lights casting a soft reflection on the polished wood floors. The tables were simple but cozy, each topped with a small candle that flickered just enough to make the space feel intimate without trying too hard. It felt like the kind of place you’d want to linger over a meal, wrapped in the comfort of good food and familiar company.

He glanced around, a flicker of some dark thought in his gaze, but he shook it off, his focus snapping back to me.

“Feels weird being out like this,” he said, a little too quickly, then let out a rough laugh. “Not having a set schedule has me all twisted up.”

“Bet it does. Routine becomes part of you after a while.” I shrugged, thinking of my own routines at Mabel’s. “How was your day?”

“Not bad. Busy, though,” I said, noticing his intent gaze. “I’ve got this new cashier I’m training, and she’s sweet, but she hasn’t quite mastered the register yet.”

He chuckled, a faint dimple appearing in his cheek. “Bet she’ll get there. You're good at what you do.”

“Thanks. It’s not always easy, but, you know.”

The server came by, leaving a small bread basket. I reached out just as Wynter did, our fingers brushing over the edge of the basket. He pulled back a second too late, and I heard the sharp intake of his breath, the sound quiet but enough to send a zing racing up my spine. My hand froze for a split second, a strange heat prickling along my skin.

I glanced over, catching the hint of something on his face—an expression that flickered and was gone before I could name it. His gaze was fixed on the roll in his hand, jaw tight, but his eyes held a kind of intensity that felt... new. It was like a question he wasn’t quite ready to ask, leaving a tension between us that felt almost tangible.

Shaking it off, I took a slow breath and went back to my roll, but the warmth lingering from that brief touch didn’t fade.

“Any job leads?” I asked.

“Yeah, actually.” He took a slow breath, like he was testing the words. “The best one’s as a phys-ed teacher over at the high school. They want to start an ROTC program too, and…” He trailed off, his gaze dipping, a bit unsure. “Feels like it could be a good fit. Familiar territory, you know?”

“You’d be great at that, man. Plus, you’d get to work with kids who probably need someone like you—someone steady.”

He let out a quiet chuckle, crossing his arms and leaning back a bit. "Yeah, maybe. It's different from my old life, that's for sure."

“That’s great! I remember you were never without a plan.” I was genuinely impressed. Wynter had only been in town for a day, but his plan seemed ready. Royce was lost for months when he arrived. But Wynter wasn’t Royce. He’d probably developed a strategy and started reaching out to people even before he submitted his resignation.

“Yeah.” His smile was quick and easy. “I like being organized. But Royce—he…” He paused. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up. This is a difficult time for you anyway, with Christmas right around the corner.”

“There’s no need to apologize.” I sighed. “It’s been five years. And that’s a lifetime when you’re raising a young child. I do miss him every day. But he isn’t here—and even when he was… things weren’t easy. You know that. I don’t have to hide anything from you. Royce never adjusted to civilian life. He couldn’t… but I hope you can.”

“Yeah.” He glanced down, then looked back up, locking his blue-eyed gaze on mine. “I miss him, too. He was my best friend. And I want to be there for you guys.”

“You’ve already done more than enough for us, Wynter. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have made it in those initial weeks and months. It was a relief that you were around and not posted abroad.”

“I took two months’ leave,” he admitted.

All of a sudden, my skin tingled. I’d assumed at the time that he’d been posted locally, that he’d just made it a point to stick around. I didn’t know he’d actually taken leave to be there for me and Rory. “That was so thoughtful—I don’t think I ever said thank you.” What he did was so incredibly unselfish and caring that I didn’t have words to describe the gratitude that filled my heart. Without him, I might not have made it. Wyn was such a special guy, and Lisa was lucky to have him. It might be indecent of me to think about a married man like this, but I couldn’t help it.

“There isn’t any need.” His voice pulled me from my thoughts. “I needed you guys just as much as you needed me. His… death devastated me. And the guilt…” He shook his head. “It was tough. I wish I’d been around more when he was here. If I’d understood his pain, maybe I could have helped him in those crucial days.”

“Don’t blame yourself,” I said, even though that same guilt was a constant part of my life. “You did so much.”

His expression clearly showed that he didn’t think he’d done enough. But he used to spend time with Royce whenever he got the chance.

An easy silence fell, comfortable but tinged with a kind of awareness. I could feel his gaze on me, and he didn’t look away when I glanced up.

Our food arrived then, giving us a welcome distraction. Wynter had ordered a pulled pork sandwich with a side of crispy sweet potato fries, and I had a grilled chicken wrap with a mix of greens. Nothing fancy, but it smelled incredible.

I took a bite, savoring the tangy sauce and fresh crunch. “Man, this place always knows how to do it right.”

Wynter nodded, chewing thoughtfully. “It’s good to be back in town.” He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. “Around people who knew me before.”

“Umhm.” I set down my wrap, wiping my fingers on the napkin. “There have been some changes around here, but nothing that would make you feel off balance, you know what I mean? I bet Lisa is happy to have you back home for good.”

He took a sip of water, looking up with an intensity that caught me off guard. “Right.”

Wynter’s one-word answer wasn’t what I was expecting, but I was determined to keep things light between us. He’d talk to me when he was ready. Another beat of silence stretched, this one awkward but not uncomfortable. He watched me carefully, like he was seeing something new, and I felt a faint heat creep up my neck.

“How is Rory doing? Is he handling his dad’s absence well?”

“As well as a kid can, I suppose. It was hard initially. Even though Royce wasn’t around much when Rory was growing up, he did feel the loss of what little time he got with his father. I try my best to make losing Royce more bearable for him.

“You always were a great father. And Rory seems well-adjusted.”

I smiled, feeling a flicker of pride. “Thanks, Wyn. I try.”

He looked around as if taking in the whole restaurant. “I’ve noticed there’ve been some big changes here in the past year. Two new grocery stores, some new restaurants popping up…”

“Yeah, it’s like the town’s suddenly realized it’s got room to grow.” I gestured around us. “Places like this used to be rare around here. They even put in that new shopping plaza by the river. You might’ve seen it?”

“Not yet.”

“I saw Lisa about six months ago at the opening of a new restaurant. Is she doing well?”

“Yeah, she is.” His eyes glazed over a bit. He definitely seemed cagey about his home situation.

Short of asking prying, direct questions, it was impossible to get any information out of him. And, of course, I didn’t want to be too blunt. He deserved his privacy. It struck me suddenly that he might be struggling with adjusting to civilian life. Most soldiers found the new pace strange and unsettling. “You know, Wyn—I don’t know if I should say it, but given what I went through with Royce, I feel I need to say it. It might be a good idea for you to see a—counselor. The change to civilian life can be intense.”

He looked incredulous. “I’m not having any trouble with the adjustment process. It wasn’t a sudden decision. I thought about it hard enough.”

I wasn’t a hundred percent convinced. I did see the beer in his shopping basket; the Wyn that I knew didn’t indulge in the beverage that much. But his words made me feel relieved. He sounded very confident, and I hoped he remained like that in the weeks and months ahead.

“So, what about your new plans for the business?” he asked.

I couldn’t help but cringe. I shouldn’t even talk to Wynter about my problems. Obviously, he already seemed to be dealing with a lot of pressure from home. Despite this, words poured out of my mouth, and I told him the story of the banks’ rejection. “It’s not going to happen. Unless I have assets… which I don’t. I just have to accept it. ” I shrugged. “I’m still lucky that I can work, support myself and my son. That should be enough. Perhaps later, when Rory is away at college, I could—we’ll see.” For now, it was enough. I met his gaze.

A wealth of understanding reflected in his warm, blue-green eyes.

It brought a lump to my throat, but I swallowed it. Wynter wasn’t the one for me, and he never could be. Even though I wanted to support him in these trying times, I was determined to maintain a friendly distance. It wouldn’t help him to get emotionally involved in his issues, and it wasn’t good for me. The trouble Wynter faced might not have anything to do with Lisa. It could be that he was grappling with the decision to leave the army and turn his whole life around.

We chatted a bit about old friends. It was a wonder no one in this small town had spotted us dining together. I checked my watch. It was time to go home. I didn’t want to leave Rory with the babysitter for too long.

When the waiter brought the check, Wynter took it.

“Hey! I was the one who invited you.”

Ignoring me, he paid the bill. “Don’t be silly, Taran. I’m just glad we got this time to catch up.”

I couldn’t help the smile that sprang to my lips. He really was the sweetest man alive. It was too bad I couldn’t get him to talk about his problems. Perhaps he didn’t have any, and I was just reading too much into his reticence. “Thank you.”

“The pleasure was all mine.”

We walked out. I kept my expression neutral as I turned to face him at the exit. “Take care, Wyn.”

His eyes glittered with emotions. What were they?

But then his gaze shuttered, and I couldn’t read him anymore.

“You too, Taran.” He reached out and gave me a bear hug, the kind he always used to give. And for the first time in a long while, I felt like I was home.

My heart pounded against my chest. I didn’t immediately pull away. The male scent of him, spicy and strong, hit me. I sucked in a deep breath to rein in my sudden awareness of him.

He drew away and we walked in opposite directions to our cars.