Seth rolled his eyes. “Not for a second. She knows how crazy we are about Axel. But I think she understood how important this was to us to finish on our own. And she trusts us.”
“Seth?”
He turned to see Gavin in the doorway between the shop and the new space. “Yes?”
“The giveaway bags are ready.”
“Great. Go ahead and bring them over here.”
As Gavin hurried to get the bags, Chris kissed the top of Seth’s head. “That was a great marketing idea, baby.”
Seth beamed. He’d come up with the idea to hand out small utensils—an egg-slicer, a mini scraper, or azester—a brochure with their class information, a silicone jar opener with the names of both businesses printed on top, a coupon for twenty-five percent off any purchase, and a coupon for a special on catering, all placed in a reusable grocery tote bag, again with both businesses listed on it. They planned on handing them out tonight at the Open House.
Chris squeezed his shoulder. “I’m going to bring out the appetizers,” he told him as he moved toward the kitchen in the back.
Seth’s stomach growled at his words and he bit back a chuckle. Chris had been messing around with new recipes for the last couple of weeks and Seth had been a willing guinea pig, loving almost everything he’d tested. Now all it took was a mention of food and his mouth watered like Pavlov’s dog.
Poor Chris had also been trying to teach Seth to cook, but he was pretty sure the lessons were over afterhe’d charred the brisket the other night.
Seth checked the clock on the wall and saw they had about fifteen minutes before they’d open the doors.They’d advertised the Open House for the last two weeks, enticing shoppers with raffles, free food samples, and big sales. Seth crossed his fingers that it would bring in a large crowd.
This evening meant a lot to all of them. It was an opportunity for Chris to share his catering talents with the residents of Bellflower and earn more business.
And, while Seth had always wanted the shop to do well, now that he owned a percentage in the company, he found he strove even harder to help the store succeed.
And Karlee…it meant so much to Karlee. She’d been through a lot, and yet, she was so strong. Axel was finally coming home from the hospital in a couple of days and she was a nervous wreck.
He and Chris had spent a lot of time at her home recently, painting the nursery, putting the crib together, helping her baby-proof the house—even though he’d explained that it wasn’t necessary thisearly on. Karlee was her typical self and looked at him, her hands on her hips.
“So?” she’d huffed, her face flushed.
Seth had surrendered, realizing right then that you never messed with a new mom.
About a week after Karlee had given birth, he and Chris had visited Axel for the first time. They weren’t able to hold him, but both men had immediately fallen in love with the little boy. And that boy was a fighter. He’d surprised everyone, including the doctors, with his progress, and Karlee was counting the hours until she could bring him home. Although she’d been released from the hospital the week Axel was born, she spent nearly every waking minute there, desperate for any chance to be with him.
Seth had marveled at how quickly his sassy best friend had evolved into a mother bear. He’d always heard that a mother’s love is immediate and all-consuming, and his mother had shown him that, no doubt about it. But seeing it with Karlee and Axel was beautiful.
A loud clatter rang through the air and he turned toward the sound.
“Shit!”
Uh-oh. That was Chris. Seth dashed to the kitchen and found him crouched over a large platter of meatballs on the floor, where some of them continued rolling. Seth crouched also and patted his shoulder.
“Looks like most of them survived. It’s going to be fine, honey.” Seth gathered up the ones on the floor and tossed them into the trash, then grabbed a towel and wiped his hands.
Chris rose and set the tray on the counter. “Thanks, baby. I guess I’m more nervous than I thought.”
Seth’s lips curved into a small smile. His big, strong boyfriend was even sexier when he showed his vulnerable side. Chris was always trying to be strong for everyone else, but sometimes he needed to let Seth take control. His eyes swept over Chris and he grinned wider.
“Love the jeans, by the way,” he told Chris.
Chris looked at his mustard yellow jeans and grinned back. He played with Seth’s hair. “And I love your eggplant highlights. God, baby. You’ve brought so much into my life. Love and happiness. And so much color.”
Seth chuckled. “You’re the one that’s brought color into mine. I was lonely, and in so many ways, my world was gray. It was you, Chris…you who changed my life.”
Chris swallowed hard and stepped closer, caressing his hair and brushing his lips against Seth’s. “I love you, Eggplant. Let’s move in together.”
Tears sprang to Seth’s eyes and he fought them back. “Yes. Tonight,” he whispered, knowing it was absolutely the right thing to do.