“They know I’m gay,” Jason said. “Until I met you, I never thought in terms of being with someone for anything other than sex, and Angela doesn’t date at all, so I have no idea what my kids expect as far as their parents and relationships.”
“Well, in that case, it might be a little awkward.” Abe focused on the other nipple, pinching and pulling through the fabric, his mouth watering at the thought of sucking on it. “But it has to happen sooner or later, right?”
“I don’t know about that, but I want you in my life, so it is happening.” Jason petted the back of Abe’s head tenderly and kissed his cheek. “At this point, it’s only a matter of working out the details.”
Sighing, Abe tightened his legs around Jason’s waist and wrapped his arms around his neck, holding on in every way he could. This was it—his forever man, his forever family. They hadn’t said all the words and he was sure the road ahead would be rocky, but Jason was letting him in, which told him all he needed to know.
“We’ve got two weeks left before school gets out.” He rested his head on Jason’s shoulder and licked his neck. “Summer break will be a good time to make changes, because the kids can adjust without impacting their schoolwork.”
“Good point,” Jason said. He squeezed Abe and then lifted him off the counter and set him on the floor. “Let’s eat before everything gets cold. I’ll call Ange after dinner and run that plan by her.”
“HONESTLY, I don’t know how you guys get by without purses,” Angela said as she dug through her bag.
“We throw away our receipts.” Jason tilted his head toward the pile of tiny papers Angela was assembling on the table. “And our, uh….” He leaned forward. “Are those pills?”
“Mints,” Angela said, flicking her gaze toward the tiny white ovals nestled with the receipts. “And maybe antacids.” She put a handful of small laminated cards on the table and glanced up at Abe, who was sitting across from her. “Customer cards for grocery stores and drug stores. They never stay tucked into the slots in my wallet, so they end up in the bottom of my purse.”
“I think you can type your phone number into the credit card machine at the store and get the discounts without having the actual cards.”
“Really?” she asked, arching her eyebrows.
Abe nodded.
“Great. I’ll toss them and then maybe I’ll be able to close my wallet.” She pushed the laminated cards into the growing pile of receipts and pills.
“Christ, Ange, how much are you shopping?”
“I like shoes.” She shrugged and continued emptying her purse. “And coffee. And jewelry.”
“And underwear,” Abe said, trying not to laugh as Angela set a pair of purple lace panties on the table.
“Angela!” Jason hissed. “We are in a restaurant.”
“It’s more of a bar. Besides, they’re clean,” she said distractedly. “Aha! I knew I had ChapStick in here!” She pulled a blue stick out of her purse and held it up victoriously. “Mmm,” she said as she ran it over her mouth. “That’s better.” She smacked her lips together and dropped the ChapStick back in her purse. “So, what were we talking about?” She looked back and forth between Jason and Abe.
“Nothing. You sat down, said hello, and then”—Jason pointed at the stack of miscellaneous items—“did that.”
“I’ll throw it out.” Angela rolled her eyes and reached for the trash. “Oh, I need this button.” She rescued a small Ziploc bag holding a brown button from the pile and dropped it into her purse.
“Don’t forget your underwear,” Abe said with a chuckle.
“Right. They’re new.” She put the purple lace in the purse and then scooped up the remaining trash and stood up. “Be right back.”
“I already love her,” Abe said, watching Angela walk toward the restroom. “She’s awesome.”
“Here.” Jason shoved his keys toward Abe. “With the way things are going, you’ll have to drive us home. I plan to drink liberally for medicinal purposes.”
Chuckling, Abe squeezed Jason’s thigh. He put the keys next to his wallet and met the waiter’s gaze from a few tables over. “If you know what Angela wants, we can order now.” Just then, he saw Angela returning to the table. “Never mind. Here she comes.”
“Thank Christ.”
The waiter and Angela arrived at the same time. “I’ll have a white wine,” she said.
“Beer for me,” Jason said. “You have Dos Equis on tap, right?” The waiter nodded and Jason continued, “And some chips and salsa.”
“And guacamole,” Angela said.
“I’m good with water for now.” Abe smiled at the waiter.
Once he left, Angela looked at Abe. “You can’t imagine how hard it was for me to come meet you without telling Kristen. If she knew I was having dinner with the famous Mr. Green, she would have stowed away in the back of the car.”