by Brandon Witt
IT WAS another hour and a half later, the sun deep in the western horizon, before Casper was rejoined by a Kevin clad in typical masculine clothing.
Casper had thought he’d seen Kevin in all his glory when it had been just the three of them. But it had been nothing compared to him trying on more gowns alongside the actual bride-to-be. Casper ended up waiting by the receptionist desk, just watching Kevin and the five women completely get lost in the thrill of wedding day preparation.
When they got in the car to return to Boston proper, Kevin was positively glowing. “That was awesome! Such a great idea.” He beamed at Casper. “And I think we should do it some more.”
“You want to go try on more wedding dresses?”
Casper was a little surprised when Kevin shook his head. “No. That was fun, but once was enough. Probably. I think we should have the women we know go wedding dress shopping at the stores around. Really scout everything out. Find out what they like that the other stores are doing and what we should do better.”
Pretty brilliant. “I think that’s a great idea. You’re kinda smart, there, Mr. Bivanti.”
“Well, here’s another one. Once we’re ready to open, I’m going to come back here and offer Annie a job. She’s awesome. Really knew her stuff. And that girl can upsell. If you come in looking for a dress, she’s going to make sure you leave with the gown, shoes, bag, jewelry, hairpiece, everything! She even brought out satin insoles so that my feet could feel like they had their own wedding gown.”
Casper cast a sideways glance at Kevin.
“What? Her words, not mine.”
CASPER
CHARU GLARED at him, though the effect was lost since she still had tears in her eyes from laughing. “I will never forgive you for not inviting me to that. I would pay so much money to see you in a wedding dress.”
Casper grimaced, the memory of his reflection too clear. “I was pretty hideous. I am not an attractive woman. At all.”
“Good thing they make veils. I bet Kevin was gorgeous. The bitch probably had better legs than I do in heels.” Charu picked up her burger but paused before taking a bite. “And don’t confirm that. I don’t want to feel insecure on my wedding day.”
Casper popped a french fry in his mouth but spoke while he chewed. “To be fair, Kevin wouldn’t eat a cheeseburger if his life depended on it, so of course he’d have better legs.”
“I told you not to confirm that.” Her teasing expression shifted. “And what’s up with that? That man doesn’t eat. Every time we’ve ordered takeout at the shop, he gets salad. Sometimes a soup if we’re ordering Chinese. And he doesn’t even finish those.”
Casper tensed a little. He’d been less worried about Kevin for a while, but since New York, Kevin had obviously lost weight again. Casper had hoped he was overly sensitive when it came to Kevin, but if Charu had noticed….
“He’s just really careful about his body, and he works out like crazy. More than anyone I’ve ever met. Plus, not everyone is like you and me. They’re able to get together and not eat.”
She rolled her eyes. “What’s the point in that? And we’re bakers. We’re supposed to be foodies.” She offered Casper one of her onion rings. “And I’m telling you, Kevin is too skinny, and too uptight. He’s going to have an aneurysm from all the stress he puts on himself. Of course, his mom hasn’t keeled over yet, so maybe it’s a hereditary strength. Still, they cleaned the damned floor with toothbrushes, Casper. Toothbrushes!”
Charu was one of Casper’s dearest friends. Part of the beauty of their relationship was that they always got along, even when they disagreed. They never had any power plays to see who would bend first. It took a second for Casper to recognize the feelings she was stirring up. He wasn’t used to it with her. “I think you’re being a little too judgmental. That attention to detail and that commitment to perfection is what will make this whole thing work. And need I remind you, that without Kevin, and his mom, for that matter, you wouldn’t be able to do this with me to begin with.”
“Defensive much?” She sighed and looked a little sad suddenly. “That was a test, Casper. You failed, honey.”
That didn’t make his irritation lessen at all. “What?”
“You’re falling for him.”
“You already knew that. You’ve been teasing me for weeks about it.”
She shook her head, her long black hair shimmering in the diner’s bright lighting. “No. I thought you had a crush and noticed Kevin was gorgeous, like anyone would. I thought it would fade. You’re falling for him, and that’s not good.”
“Why is that so bad? He’s an amazing man, and he broke up with his ex-husband. He’s single. No problems.” He was having a hard time keeping his volume down.
She was making him feel guilty. There was nothing to feel guilty about.
“Have you slept with him already?”
“No!”
She scowled. “That was a fast response.”
“Fine. We kissed and—” Casper told Charu everything, but didn’t really want to confess to slipping in a finger. “We kissed. Weeks ago, when we were in New York. Nothing since then.”
Charu’s expression softened, and she gave an attempt at a smile. “Babe, I’m not trying to hurt you, but I’m worried. Kevin is great. Really. I like him a lot. He’s sweet and funny, and he has been nothing but kind to me. But he’s got some issues. I can feel them, and I know you can too. Doesn’t this remind you of anyone?”
Casper groaned. “I knew you were going to go there.”
“Well, even more proof if you’ve already been thinking it.” Charu wiped her hand on her napkin and patted Casper’s arm over the tabletop. “You can’t start a relationship with a business partner, and even more than that, you can’t start one when you’ll have to play Superman again.”
“I’m not trying to rescue Kevin.”
She cocked an eyebrow.
“I’m not. Josh was different. He was an alcoholic who liked to do a little too much coke from time to time when he was going out with his friends.”
“Which was nearly every night.”
“Exactly! I’m not defending Josh. You’re totally right. I was trying to rescue him. It was stupid, and it screwed me up for a long time. I don’t think I ever really loved him. I just needed to fix him.” Casper noticed his hands were trembling. He picked up his burger to try to distract himself. “This is not the same. Kevin is nothing like that. And whatever feelings I have for him aren’t based on some need to fix him.”
“He’s got issues, Casper. I can’t tell how big or what they are, though I’m betting the whole anal-retentive and food things are key players.” A pleading had crept into her voice. “I just don’t want you to get hurt again.”
“So what if he does have some issues. You expect me to find someone who doesn’t? What about my issues? That I can’t seem to get over my mommy and daddy issues and I can be a bit clingy?” Casper almost got control over his tongue. Almost. “And you? How are your credit cards looking? Indulged in any tiny little shopping sprees lately? Any new Jimmy Choos that don’t exactly fit the budget of a baker?”
Charu’s cheeks flushed, and a hurt look crossed her eyes.
Casper exhaled. “And my ability to lash out a bit when I’m feeling defensive, while we’re at it.” He could feel the vein at his temple throbbing. “Sorry, Charu. That was mean.”
“Well, you make a good point.” She gave a forced smile. “And Josh wasn’t ever that nice, even when he was sober. Kevin’s a total sweetheart.”
“I know there are some issues with Kevin. I do. I’m hoping they’re not what I think… what we think they are. But I’m truly not trying to rescue him. I’ve not felt this way about anyone in… well, maybe ever.”
Her smile grew more genuine. “As long as your eyes are open. And I know you promised yourself you’d never go through what you did with Josh again. You’re too smart for that. I just have to trust you, huh?”
“Yeah.” She was
right. He would never let anyone take over his life like he’d allowed Josh to do. Issues or not, this was different. He wasn’t entirely sure how, but it was. He could feel it. Just as surely as he felt right about taking the leap for the bakery.
They ate in silence for a while, allowing the tension to drift away. And it did. She was the sister he’d always wanted his own sister to be. He wasn’t going to allow some little tiff to draw them apart when Charu loved him and just wanted to protect him.
“So, I’ve got a favor to ask.”
Charu brought her attention back to him quickly, looking relieved at the topic change. “Sure. You name it.”
“Wanna be our spy and go around to wedding shops and pretend to be a newly engaged woman? We want to get a sense of what the other stores are doing right and what we can do better to make ourselves stand out.”
She didn’t even hesitate. “Oh, hell yes! That sounds like a blast.”
“Cool. Thanks! You can always pretend you’re getting married to Thomas. You could get married at that church he’s always inviting you to.”
Her eyes flashed. “You have a funny way of asking for favors.”
Casper laughed, glad to have an ease between them again. “Have you told him you’re leaving Tatte yet?”
An evil grin crossed her lips. “Not yet. I’m going to wait until he’s having a really bad day and then drop it on him.”
“You are awful.”
She shrugged. “He deserves it.”
“And your dad, have you told him?”
Charu chuckled, leaning back in the booth. “Poor Father. He barely batted an eyelash. ‘Why not,’ he said.” Charu mimicked her dad’s thick accent. “‘Why not jump into the dark waters of the ocean without a swimsuit.’”
Casper laughed again. “What does that mean?”
She just rolled her eyes. “Father is dramatic. Nearly as dramatic as my gay best friend. And he’ll never get over that I’m not using my chemistry degree. He had such high hopes.”
“Oh.” Casper brightened. “Speaking of, you might just have use for that degree yet. I’ve got some ideas for quicker ways to make sugar glass to run by you.”
CASPER
WHILE WEDDING dress shopping had cut the initial awkwardness of Kevin’s new single status and how it could potentially affect his and Kevin’s relationship, it only lasted for a bit. Actually, the original awkwardness was gone, though it was simply replaced by a new sort. Granted, Casper found the new awkwardness somewhat fun.
For the past two weeks or so, he and Kevin had done a mental dance around each other. Both nervous. Both tense. Both on edge. Both obviously wanting the exact same thing. That fact alone blew Casper’s mind. And, if the electrical charge that seemed to be between them hadn’t lasted for as long as it had, he would have chalked it up to… well, he didn’t know what he’d chalk it up to. But as it was, it was clear Kevin actually wanted him. Him! Casper James. How someone who was used to dating, and marrying, life-size Ken-doll models suddenly wanted him, Casper had no idea.
However, just like with the bakery, you didn’t hesitate when the very thing you want fell in your lap. You just shook fate’s hand, or gave it a hug, and moved on, happier than you were before. Not that Kevin had landed in Casper’s lap. But it was just a matter of time. Casper was sure of it. And that surety had led to the most deliciously anticipatory two weeks of his life.
May had just passed its halfway point when the construction crew installed Casper’s marble counters for the bakery. Kevin was nearly as excited as Casper. Once the marble was in place, they could schedule the floors. Two times already the granite had been scheduled, and twice it had been postponed. Twice they’d had to cancel having the floors finished. In all honesty, they hadn’t really needed to wait for the marble. But Kevin insisted he’d be a nervous wreck if they got the floors refinished and then the marble guys dropped the stone down the stairs or dragged electrical tools across the floors.
Watching Kevin’s excitement as he called to schedule the floor as the marble guys finished cleaning up from the counters, Casper couldn’t help but let himself become a touch more captivated by the man. Kevin was high-strung, stressed, and the biggest perfectionist Casper had ever seen, but he was so full of life that he seemed to radiate energy.
Kevin put down his phone and nearly hopped across the room. “Next week!”
“Yeah? It’s about time. I never dreamed of all of these parts taking so long.” Casper patted the ten-inch thick slab of marble. “What do you think?”
Kevin paused and inspected it, running his hands over its surface. He looked calm. “It’s perfect. Really. And these lights….” He pointed to the hanging pendants. “They really do bring it all together.”
“After next week, we’ll be kind of done.”
“Yeah right. We’ll be done with all the things we hire people for. It will be up to us from here on out. Well, except for furniture deliveries and such.”
“Yeah, but it’s looking real all of a sudden.” Casper followed Kevin’s lead and ran his hands over the marble. Smooth, cool. Solid. It had been one of their more expensive purchases, but it was worth every penny. He couldn’t wait to see it covered in his and Charu’s creations.
“It does. I think it will really hit me when the dress samples come in from the designers, which is still about six weeks away.” Kevin’s gaze went foggy, probably picturing it all. “I can’t wait to send Devina Malloy pictures of the place. She’s not going to believe how great it will look. She’ll be glad she went with us.”
Casper had wandered closer to Kevin as he felt the marble and was now only a foot away, having glanced around to make sure everyone else had left. “You’re amazing.”
Kevin flinched. “What?”
Casper stepped closer, keeping both hands on the marble, doing his best to ignore the pounding of his heart. “You’re amazing. Doing all this. Making all this happen. Having this vision.”
“You’re doing it too.” He wouldn’t meet Casper’s eyes.
“Yeah, but you started it. And I don’t have your anxiety or have constant pain from the reflux, but you just push past it all and make life happen.”
Kevin glanced up finally and looked like he was about to say something, but what he saw on Casper’s face must have changed his mind.
Casper stepped closer, letting his hands fall away from the countertop. He invaded Kevin’s space. Moved so close their bodies were touching. He marveled at his own daring, but he couldn’t have stopped if he’d wanted to.
The two weeks of dancing around each other had been fun, but it was time to bring that to a close.
Kevin didn’t move away.
“You go after what you want, and you make it happen. I’ve no doubt that Bella Dolce is going to be a success, because you won’t have it any other way.” As he had that night in New York, Casper placed his palm on Kevin’s cheek. “You inspire me. I’m going after what I want. I want this place, this business. I want it to be a huge success. But I want more.”
He closed whatever space was between them and kissed Kevin, pressing his lips firmly on Kevin’s. It only took a moment to feel Kevin respond. Once he did, all bets were off.
As Casper continued the kiss, he moved his hand from Kevin’s face and began working the buttons of his shirt. He only had one left when he felt Kevin tugging at his T-shirt. Casper leaned back and pulled the shirt over his head, then returned to the solitary button, released it, and slid off Kevin’s shirt.
Casper wanted the kissing to last longer, but his body didn’t seem to care. No sooner had Kevin’s shirt been tossed aside than Casper began working on his jeans, tugging at the button.
Kevin pulled away from the kiss, making Casper think he’d pushed things too far. Kevin motioned to Casper’s jeans. “You take off yours, I’ll get mine.”
“Always the efficient one.” Casper followed the instructions and pulled off his jeans, having to steady himself on the new counter once. He glanced up at Kevin
, motioning to his own boxers. “Want me to get rid of these, or wait a sec?” Suddenly he was worried he was going to scare Kevin off.
Kevin pulled down his own purple briefs by way of response.
The realization hit Casper, and he took a step back. Kevin was naked. In front of him. Granted, he’d seen Kevin naked one other time, sort of, but this time it was for him, and Casper got to see all of him. Kevin was even more beautiful than he’d thought possible, though a touch too thin, despite that every inch of him was hard muscle. He was certainly the most attractive man Casper had ever been with. “I know I’ve told you before, but you’re beautiful.”
Kevin smiled. “You look pretty good yourself. Shouldn’t a baker have a potbelly? At least a little one?” He didn’t wait for Casper to respond before he motioned toward Casper’s crotch. “Your boxers are cute and all, but not really what I’m curious about.”
Suddenly unusually shy, Casper pulled off his boxers and stood for inspection, unable to suppress a coy smile. “Good enough?”
Kevin’s brown gaze flashed up to his. “Fuck.”
Casper’s smile grew. “Glad you approve. I figured you were used to—”
Kevin cut him off, thank God, his kiss fierce and hot. Full of lust. Maybe something else as well, but Casper couldn’t be sure, and he’d take what he could get.
In less than a minute, Casper supported Kevin’s weight in his hands, just like he had in New York, his finger already teasing, making Kevin groan, making him wild. Casper couldn’t suppress a shudder. Looked like Kevin was going to be as full of life during sex as he was the rest of the time.
Casper thought for a moment about carrying him to his makeshift bed upstairs, but didn’t want to wait. He placed Kevin on the marble countertop and then hopped up beside him, then let out a laugh. “Good grief that’s cold.”