by Pandora Pine
“Like what?”
“Like you’re really happy.” Cassie grabbed a doll that Truman passed over and handed it to him. “I see you plaster on that fake smile at work. You know when people start dating someone new or walk around the lunchroom showing off an engagement ring. I know you want that in your life too.”
Truman nodded. She was right. “I do want it, Cass. We both know how hard it is, going to bed alone every night and not having that special someone to buy dorky presents for.” Truman looked at the stuffed doll she’d handed him. It was perfect for Carson. He only hoped his boyfriend-to-be, fingers crossed, would like it to.
“Stop worrying. He’s gonna love it. Who wouldn’t love a handsome man giving them Prince Charming for Christmas?”
“I think he’s the one, Cass.” Truman wasn’t sure he should say it out loud. He’d felt it the second his lips touched Carson’s. It felt like something inside him had shifted, like he was in the exact right place at the exact right time with the exact right person.
“Are you going to invite him to the Gemtronics Christmas party?”
“You already agreed to be my date. I can’t dump my best girl.” Truman picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. Besides, the party was on December 22nd, an odd night for a Christmas party, only three days before the holiday. Would Carson even want to come?
“Ask him. If he says yes, take us both. I was going to meet you there anyway and since you both live in the same town, it would be easier if you came together anyway.” She elbowed him again.
Truman laughed. “God, we’ve got to get you a boyfriend.”
“Or one for the night at least.” She winked at him. “So, are you going to ask him to the party?”
He definitely was. “I’ll run it by him tonight at dinner and see what he thinks about it. No pressure, you know?” For whatever reason, Truman had a feeling Carson was going to say yes to the party and yes to coming home with him tonight after the movie ended.
13
Carson
Carson had wanted to plan this date for two reasons. The first reason was to impress the pants, literally and figuratively, off Truman. He was a true romantic at heart and wanted to show his date how thoughtful he could be.
The second reason he wanted to plan the date was so that he could be the one to pick up and drop off Truman so that he wouldn’t see West Side Magick or that he and Cole lived above the store. He wasn’t ashamed of his home. He just wasn’t ready to spill the beans about his real job or the visions just yet.
He’d picked a romantic Italian restaurant down by the waterfront that had all five-star reviews on Yelp. Carson had even gone so far as reading over the menu so he’d be able to make suggestions to Truman.
When it came time for the movie, Carson would let his date choose the film and the treats. Just so long as Truman was the snuggling type. Honestly, it didn’t matter what they did tonight, so long as they were together.
“Wow!” Cole whistled from the bathroom door. “Look at you!”
“What? Is it too much?” Carson turned back to the full-length mirror. He had on black dress pants, a white button down and a sweater. “Is the sweater too much? Does it make me look like a preppy asshole?”
“No! God, no. You just look great. This guy must mean a lot to you if you’re this dressed up for him. I mean beside the obvious of you wanting to save his life.” Cole tilted his head and seemed to be studying Carson. “Are you falling for Truman?”
Cole turned to look at his brother. “Cole, I think…”
“What? Carson, don’t leave me hanging like that. We’ve never kept stuff from each other. Don’t start now.”
“I don’t want you to think I’m crazy.”
“Crazier than having a vision of seeing a man dying and then meeting him so you can save his life?”
“Yeah, crazier than that.” Carson took a deep breath.
“Tell me.”
“What if Mom sent me to find him and save his life because he’s my soulmate?” There, he said it. It was out in the open now.
Cole seemed to be thinking it over. “As opposed to this being your new calling in life? Finding and saving random strangers in peril. I suppose that could be her reason.” He blew out a frustrated-sounding breath. “Sure would be a hell of a lot easier if we could talk to her.”
Carson nodded. “I was thinking the same thing myself. Wait! Maybe we can.”
“Oh no! We’re not doing a Ouija board! Mom always said those things were dangerous.”
Carson shivered. If he had a penny for every time she’d warned him about Ouija boards he’d be a wealthy man. “No, nothing like that, but both times I’ve had my visions, Mom rang the chimes. What if we asked her questions and one ring means no, two rings mean yes?”
“It’s worth a try, but you’ve got bigger fish to fry. Promise me you’ll stop thinking about all of this for the night and just enjoy being with him. If he is your soulmate just be with him…”
“In case I lose him?” Carson couldn’t breathe at the mere thought of losing Truman now that he’d found him.
“Put that aside for the night. We’ll get back to the hunt in the morning. Have fun, get some!” Cole laughed.
“Night!” Carson grabbed his keys and headed out the door. He only wished it was as easy as putting thoughts of saving Truman’s life aside.
When he was a kid, he used to think knowing the future was so cool. He’d know when the Red Sox would finally win the World Series or what the winning lottery numbers would be. Now, he knew the truth of the matter.
Knowing the future was an awful, vicious burden that sucked the life from you. Every time he looked at Truman’s green eyes, he fought seeing the image of those bright orbs slowly going dark.
Every time Truman smiled, Carson reminded himself to memorize it. He fought himself to leave his phone in his pocket when they were together, otherwise, he’d run the battery dry taking selfies of them together.
Whispering a silent prayer that Carson could save the man he’d fallen helplessly in love with, he stepped out into the frigid December night.
14
Truman
Truman was sitting on the couch trying not to pace while he waited for Carson to pick him up. Try as he might to wiggle a hint out of his impossible date, the man’s lips had been sealed about where they were going for the night.
The thought had crossed his mind to say “fuck it,” and just ravage Carson the minute he walked through the door and call out for pizza later, but his date had spent a lot of time and effort arranging their night out. He had a feeling they’d have plenty of nights to stay in and eat cold pizza together on his couch if things were heading in the direction he thought they were heading in.
As Truman pictured them feeding each other cold slices of mushroom pie, the doorbell rang. Sadie bounced down from the couch and she ran, barking, to the front door. “Down, princess,” Truman cooed, as he scooped the dog into his arms and opened the door to his date who was holding a bouquet of bright orange Gerber daisies.
“Hey there, Truman! Who’s your ferocious friend?” Carson looked wary of the tiny, barking dog.
“This is Sadie. She suffers from big dog syndrome. She’s harmless though.” Truman made kissy face with the dog before setting her down and taking the flowers from Carson. “Please come in. These are gorgeous. No one’s ever brought me flowers before.”
“They caught my eye, just like you.” Carson shrugged out of his coat and bent down to let Sadie sniff his hand.
The dog was still barking, but seemed to calm when Carson reached out to her. “You’re trying to protect your Daddy, huh pretty princess. I’m not gonna hurt him, cross my heart.” Carson did just that.
“Come on into the kitchen so I can put these in some water.” Truman led the way, while Carson scooped up Sadie.
“No Christmas tree yet?”
“Wellll…” Truman trailed off as he set the bouquet down by the sink. “I was thinking maybe, if y
ou were, umm, free tomorrow, that you might…”
Carson kissed him. Fast and hard.
Truman felt almost dizzy when Carson’s tongue licked up against the seam of his closed lips. He gasped, allowing Carson to sweep his tongue inside.
“You were saying?” Carson winked when he pulled back from Truman’s lips.
“I was?” Truman shook his head. After that kiss he didn’t even know what day it was or what planet he was on.
“I mentioned you not having a Christmas tree and then you said something about if I was free tomorrow?” Carson grinned.
Truman blushed down to the roots of his hair. Having Carson in his kitchen like this, close enough to throw over his shoulder and carry up to bed like a caveman was screwing with his mind. “Would you like to pick out a Christmas tree with me tomorrow?”
“I’ve never done that before. We always had a fake one. I’d love to!”
Truman nodded and turned to grab a vase from under the sink. Actually, he used the few seconds to get his emotions back under control. He’d never done that kind of thing with a man he wanted to be his boyfriend before, either. He took a deep breath and stood back up. “The farm I go to sells mint hot chocolate and it’s supposed to snow a bit tomorrow. We can walk through the rows of trees and it’s just so…” Truman trailed off not knowing how Carson would take the word he’d been about to say.
“Romantic?” Carson’s voice was barely above a whisper. He leaned in to press a gentle kiss to Truman’s lips. “Count me in. I love mint hot chocolate and I love the sound of helping you look for the perfect Christmas tree.”
Truman nodded and arranged the flowers in the vase. “What do you think?”
“I think you’re the most gorgeous man I’ve ever met in my life.” Carson’s words sounded as sincere as the look in his deep blue eyes.
Truman wasn’t much of a pearl-clutcher, but it took all of his will-power not to gasp. “I meant what you thought of the flowers, but I’ll take gorgeous too.”
“I mean it, Truman. I’m the luckiest man alive to be your date tonight. You ready to go?”
“Yeah, I’m ready. I just have to give Sadie her instructions for the night.” If his brain could still function after what Carson had just said.
Carson snorted. “Her instructions? What? Don’t pee on the rug?”
Truman shook his head. “Sadie, no boys in the house and no wild parties, got it?”
The Yorkie whined and hopped up on the couch, as if she understood every word Truman just said.
“Now we can go,” Truman proclaimed.
“Are wild parties and boys usually a problem?” Carson asked as he helped Truman into his coat.
“Nope and I don’t intend them to be in the future. Gotta teach them young. I don’t need to be raising grandpuppies while she lives a life of luxury.”
Carson looked over at the dog who appeared to be already snoozing on the couch. “Hate to break it to you, Daddy, but she already is.”
Truman got a warm feeling around his heart at hearing Carson call him Daddy. Was it too soon to picture the three of them cozied up together on the couch as a family?
15
Carson
The restaurant was even better in person than in the pictures Carson had seen online. There were Christmas trees set up all around the place done in white lights and clear glass ornaments. Strings of white lights cross-crossed the ceiling and white candles with holly were the table centerpieces.
Truman had been enchanted by all of the glass angels on one tree. Carson felt his heart break in his chest. The irony of it was almost too much to bear. He made a mental note to speak with the hostess about getting Truman one of those ornaments to take home with them tonight. Maybe the waitress could serve it with their dessert course or something.
"How did you find this place?" Truman asked with wonder in his voice, once they'd been seated and their wine order had been taken.
Carson reached across the table for his hand. "I Googled 'romantic Italian restaurant' and up this one popped. It has all five-star ratings on Yelp and according to RotiniPrincess54, the lobster ravioli will be an oral aria you won't soon forget." He waggled his eyebrows.
Truman giggled behind his wine glass. "She actually wrote that online?"
“She did.” Carson, unable to help himself, pulled out his iPhone and snapped a quick shot of Truman laughing.
"Would you like me to take a picture of the two of you together?" their waitress asked.
"We'd love that," Truman agreed.
Carson handed over his phone and held out his wine glass to toast Truman. He blinked a few times to keep the happy tears out of his eyes. This was the best date of his entire life.
He could hear the waitress snapping several pics and was unprepared when Truman leaned over the table to kiss him.
"That one will be your Christmas card photo next year for sure," she said on a sigh. "What can I get you both? Aside from a room for the night?"
Truman blushed furiously.
"I hear the lobster ravioli is fabulous." Carson winked at Truman.
"It is fabulous," she agreed. “One of my favorites.”
"I'll have the manicotti with meat sauce, please," Truman said.
"Salad or the soup of the day?"
"Salad," they said together.
"You are so adorable. I hope you'll decide to have your wedding reception here. I want to cry during your first dance."
"We'll keep that in mind." Truman's smile lit up the room.
Carson whispered a silent prayer there would be a wedding for himself and the waitress to cry at.
"Do you want to get married?" Truman asked after their salads had been dropped off.
"Shouldn't we have sex first? You know kick the tires. Make sure we're compatible?" Truman's question caught him completely off-guard. The only thing he could think to do was make bad jokes.
"Noooo! I don't mean now. Although, kicking tires isn't a bad idea either." Truman rubbed his foot up Carson's calf. "I mean in the future. Are you the marrying kind?"
Was he? Hell, with Truman's stockinged foot traveling higher and higher up his leg, Carson barely remembered his own name at the moment.
He very much wanted to be the marrying kind, but after witnessing the kind of husband Corny was, he wasn’t sure he had the best role model to follow. Looking across the table at Truman, though, Carson knew without a shadow of a doubt he’d move mountains to be the kind of husband that man deserved.
“Yes, I’m definitely the marrying kind. How about you? What do you see in your future?” Carson’s heart clutched in his chest. As much as he wanted to hear the answer to the question, he knew Truman’s ability to live out his dreams was riding on Carson’s ability to save his life.
Truman smiled at him from across the table. “I want an outdoor summer beach wedding filled with flowers and a DJ with enough sappy love songs on tap so I can dance with my gorgeous husband until the sun comes up.” He paused for a minute to take a deep breath. “I want babies of my own or my husband’s own. I want to be in the delivery room when they come into this world and be the first person to hold and protect them. I want sons to toss footballs with and daughters to dress up and dance with at their weddings. I want hunting for a Christmas tree to be an annual tradition that grows every year and that no matter where our kids are in the world, they always make it home for that day.”
Carson was on the verge of losing it. He could see all of those days in their life together as if they were being played out on a movie screen. The images were so real he felt like he could reach out and touch them.
Now, all he had to do to make those images real was save Truman from a crazed gunman. No pressure. “Damn, Truman.” It was all Carson could manage without breaking down. He got up from his seat and set a hand on his date’s shoulder before moving toward the men’s room.
16
Truman
Watching Carson practically run from the table was a bit unsettling. He wou
ld have thought Carson was running from him if not for the misty look in his bright blue eyes.
If it had been any other man but Carson, being able to see their future with that much clarity would have scared the absolute fuck out of him. For whatever reason though, it brought Truman a sense of dead calm.
Just as the waitress was bringing out their entrees, Truman could see Carson speaking with a man dressed in a dark suit. Both men were smiling as they walked back to the table together. He couldn’t help wondering what that was all about.
“Truman, this is Sal Migliore, the owner of the restaurant. I ran into him on my way back to our table.” Carson sat back down.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Wesley. Carson was telling me all about your whirlwind romance. I’m so pleased that my restaurant is part of your love story.”
“Me too.” Truman glanced over at Carson who was back to looking like the cat who ate the canary.
“If there is anything else I can do to make your evening more memorable, please say the word.”
“Thank you,” Truman smiled. He turned back to Carson. “What was that all about?”
Carson shrugged as he took a sip from his wine glass. “I introduced myself on the way back from the men’s room.”
“Did my glimpse of the future scare you?” Truman’s fork was poised over his manicotti.
Shaking his head, Carson cut a ravioli in half. “Not at all. I could see what you were describing clear as day.” He popped a bite of pasta into his mouth.
“Is it an opera in your mouth?” Truman chuckled.
“Try for yourself and you tell me.” Carson offered him a bite on his fork.
“God, this is so romantic,” Truman sighed before taking the bite. He moaned when he tasted the tangy sauce mixed with the creamy ricotta and the sweet lobster. The dish really did sing in his mouth. “So good,” he mumbled around his mouthful.
“I know, right!” Carson agreed.
Truman had never spent an entire meal being fed from another man’s fork before. He remembered reading an article in the Boston Globe a few years back about Tom Brady and his wife on vacation in Costa Rica and being caught feeding each other fruit or some other ridiculous, in his mind, dessert items. It wasn’t until he’d tried it with Carson that he realized how unbelievably romantic and sexual it was.