by Andi James
Then Oliver had built a life for himself in New York. Easton wasn’t small by any means, but it couldn’t hold a candle to New York in terms of opportunities for chefs. And, as much as he wanted to see where this thing with Oliver was headed, it was too new and Daniel had no right to ask him to stay. The idea of Oliver leaving New York, leaving his restaurant and chances to move to the head chef role, was more painful to Daniel than the idea of not being with him. Well, almost.
With a sigh, Daniel pulled into a parking spot in front of his building. He looked over at the sleeping man beside him, equal parts infuriating and endearing, and knew he was lucky for this time with him, even if it was all he’d ever have.
After they climbed the stairs to Daniel’s apartment, Oliver declared himself too gross to sleep and hopped in the shower. Daniel collapsed into the bed, only waking long enough to wrap his arms around the slightly damp Oliver who climbed in beside him. And then they’d slept.
Daniel adjusted the towel at his waist and leaned against the doorway to the kitchen, where Oliver bustled about, murmuring to himself under his breath, stirring wet things and measuring dry things. Oliver had his back to him but Daniel was able to catch glimpses of his face, and he wasn’t sure he had ever seen Oliver look quite so content.
Daniel walked up behind the gorgeous and talented chef and slipped his arms around his waist. Oliver leaned back into Daniel and tilted his head for a kiss.
“Something smells good,” Daniel said, dusting his lips over Oliver’s.
“I think that’s you.”
Daniel laughed and pulled away. “I hope it’s not me that smells like sautéed garlic.” He looked down at the array of bowls and pots and pans on his cooktop and counter. They were filled with combinations of ingredients Daniel didn’t even know he had.
“How did you even do this? I haven’t been shopping in weeks.”
Oliver grinned. “A chef never reveals his secrets.”
Daniel pressed kisses all over the back of Oliver’s neck. “I think that’s a magician, not a chef.”
“If you don’t think it took magic to find something edible in your house, you are mistaken.”
Daniel laughed again. When did this become so easy? He was determined to enjoy this Oliver, his Oliver, for as long as he could.
“So what are we eating, Ollie the Great?”
Oliver laughed. “Is pasta okay? I may be good, but not even David Copperfield could have pulled something fancier out of your kitchen.”
“Pasta is perfect.”
Oliver reached for the oil and almost dumped a bowl of something pinky-red on the counter. Daniel sighed and reluctantly stepped away, choosing a seat at the breakfast bar where he could watch Oliver work. His kitchen was really not meant for more than one person at a time.
It was mesmerizing to see Oliver cook. He had caught onto Patty’s recipes well and was a solid baker, but he was definitely in his element now. Daniel just watched, appreciating Oliver’s confidence, watching the strong lines of his muscles under his T-shirt as he chopped and diced. Finally, he announced dinner was ready. Daniel slipped back into the kitchen to grab a few plates and he set the table in the small dining area before Oliver followed him in, carrying two large serving bowls.
They sat down across from each other at the square table, and Daniel let Oliver serve him. Two bites in, Daniel was wondering how to get a ring on Oliver’s finger like immediately.
Daniel groaned through a mouthful. “How is this so freaking good?”
Daniel could tell Oliver was trying to play it cool, but he definitely preened under the praise. “I’m glad you like it.” He picked up a forkful, putting it in his mouth and chewing thoughtfully. “Maybe more brown sugar,” he said softly.
“Oh my god, if you figure out a way to make this more delicious, I’m locking you in my kitchen and never letting you go.”
Oliver looked down at his plate. “Well, I’m glad I finally had a chance to cook for you.” He sighed, meeting Daniel’s gaze. “I know it’s not nearly enough, but it’s the only way I know how to thank you.”
Daniel smiled. “Oh, it wasn’t me. It was the guys. They did all of the heavy lifting.”
Oliver’s eyes were serious. “No, Daniel. I don’t just mean for today. And for the record? You were the only reason all of that came together. Mom and I owe you our thanks for today whether you can accept it or not.”
Daniel couldn’t look away from Oliver, but had no words of response.
Oliver continued, his voice a touch husky, pasta forgotten on his plate. “I owe you thanks for so many things, Daniel. You are... You’re such an amazing person. Coming back to Easton was the hardest thing I’ve had to do in a long time.” He ran a hand through his sleep-tousled hair. “This thing happened with my mom and I jumped in the car and used the whole eight-hour drive to remind myself how much I hated this place and how guilty I felt for never coming back to visit her. The people on the phone told me she was stable, but I didn’t know any details, and I know how quickly someone can go from fine to…” His voice trailed off and it was a few moments before he started to speak again.
“So, I drove here, stomach in knots the entire time, thinking about how this wouldn’t even have happened if she’d come to live in New York, like I’d asked her a dozen times. But of course, she loves this place too much to ever leave.”
“You thought Easton was going to take your mom from you too,” Daniel said quietly.
Oliver sat back in his chair and shook his head. “But, that’s the thing, isn’t it? I’ve been living without my mom for ten years because I didn’t want to come back here. We talk when we can, but it’s not the same as being with her. My mom has been missing for my life for a decade, and it’s no one’s fault but my own.”
Daniel’s heart broke for Oliver, his eyes shiny in the low light.
“I made the decision to turn this place into a monster in my mind, when it was me who ran away from the person I loved most in the world.” He sighed. “I was set on hating Easton before I even got here, so I’ve been ignoring all the little signs of humanity I see every day. This big little city has taken care of my mom when I haven’t. And today, all of those people giving up sleep and time with their families to come help her… even that wouldn’t have been enough to make me really see how wrong I was, if it wasn’t for you.”
Daniel’s eyes flickered in surprise. He was beside himself with the hope that maybe Oliver was going to let go of his anger and piece his heart back together, but he wasn’t sure what any of that had to do with him.
“You stuck with me. You were there and you were sweet and funny and amazing when you had no reason to be. I have no idea why because I blocked you at every turn, but you decided to help me whether I wanted it or not.” His next words were quiet. “I did want it.”
Daniel’s voice was no louder than Oliver’s. “I know.”
Oliver looked into Daniel’s eyes, even as his voice wavered. “I’m so glad I met you, Daniel. Thank you for…” He struggled to find the words. “For not letting me chase you away.”
Daniel smiled. “Lucky for you, gorgeous, grumpy chefs are exactly my type. You’re stuck with me now.”
Oliver leaned forward and slipped his hand atop Daniel’s on the table. “Do you mean that?”
Daniel reached across the table and cupped Oliver’s face with his free hand. “Promise.”
Epilogue
Oliver
Four Months Later
* * *
Oliver looked up from the cinnamon roll dough he was flawlessly working and smiled at the scene playing out. Daniel was standing in front of a shelf of spices, clipboard in hand, helping with inventory, and Patty was right next to him.
“Daniel, did you get these canisters of cardamom over here? We can’t forget to add these.”
He watched as Daniel held out a finger indicating “wait a second” and then wrote something down.
“Patty, dear, you know I love you. Please, plea
se stop asking me things when I’m counting. I lose my place and have to start over.”
“Oh, hush. Don’t tell me you can’t do two things at once. I’ve watched you ice cookies while you’re reading too many times.”
Oliver held back a laugh at the expression on Daniel’s face. “Excuse me. That is not the same thing. But that reminds me! I brought a new book for you, I think you’re going to love this one. So many feels.”
His mom put a hand over her heart in a dramatic gesture. “That last one nearly ripped my heart out. I don’t know if I can take any more.”
Daniel laughed, and Oliver knew a smile was stretching across his own face.
“But wasn’t it so worth it in the end? When he came home?”
Oliver turned his focus back to spreading cinnamon and sugar over the rolled-out rectangle of dough. Since that day months ago when the health inspector came, his mom had come up with the idea of doing Sunday Bunday at the bakery. It turned out the customers appreciated a little eye candy to go along with their sweet treats, and his mom had talked a number of the Cinnamen crew into helping out once a month on a rotating schedule. They usually wore skimpy little clothes, covering just enough to keep things safe and within the health code, and sold Patty’s famous cinnamon rolls all morning. It had turned into quite a success, with the line stretching down the block at times.
Oliver had been worried they would never be able to make enough of the pastries for everyone, but his mom didn’t have that fear at all. She explained some theory about how selling out of the rolls only made people want them more, and she’d been right. People had started requesting special orders, dozens for family gatherings or church socials.
Luckily, subsequent visits from the health inspector weren’t quite so eventful. After that long, long day, Patty had heard from Martin, apologizing for leaving the bakery a mess after he threw his back out and had to call his wife and son to pick him up off of the floor and help him get home. Oliver wanted to fire the man but was easily swayed to forgive him after a certain sexy, blond, soon-to-be librarian pointed out that surviving that day meant they could survive anything together.
He was thrilled for his mom and for the business. After deciding to stay in Easton, his mom had insisted he continue working with her for now until he found a job he’d be happy with. He reminded her he needed to make money, and she quickly signed a check and handed it over. They’d argued over the amount, Oliver saying it was too much and he didn’t want to jeopardize the business with that high of a salary, and Patty saying not to worry, she’d take care of it.
He had to laugh at the idea a good portion of his salary was coming from hot guys peddling cinnamon rolls.
“You about done with the prep?” Daniel asked as he slid up next to Oliver and started rubbing his back.
“Almost. Let me wrap these up and put them in the walk-in. Do we need to leave soon?”
Daniel looked at his phone. “Yeah, in about fifteen minutes.”
“I’ll be done by then,” he said, giving Daniel a quick kiss. “You excited?”
“I am,” Daniel replied, his eyes sparkling.
They had appointments to look at four apartments that afternoon. Oliver was beyond ready to get his own place and move out of his childhood home. Now that his mom was as good as new, he didn’t feel bad about leaving her on her own again. At least this time he’d be nearby.
He and Daniel had talked about moving in together, since Oliver spent more than half his nights at Daniel’s anyway. They both hedged around the “is it too soon” question until finally Oliver had said, “If I’m going to live in this town, it’s going to be with you.” The memory of how Daniel had jumped into his lap and attacked his face after that still made him smile. He’d come a long way with the guy, even if his grumpiness still showed up more often than not. But as he’d long suspected, Daniel had the patience of a saint and also some sort of blind spot when it came to Oliver’s moodiness. The man knew how to skillfully navigate him out of almost any rant or bad mood.
Oliver’s only condition for moving in together was he wanted a different place. He liked Daniel’s cramped apartment just fine, but the kitchen… he needed more room and something from this century. Daniel had easily agreed, making his only request that it not be far from the university.
“I have a good feeling about today. One of these places will work out,” Daniel said.
Oliver rolled his eyes. “You said that the last two times.”
“Third time’s a charm?” That fucking smile still did Oliver in every time.
He finished putting the rolls away and washed up. “Mom, we’re taking off,” he yelled. She was in the pantry, and he heard her swear.
“Now I know what Daniel meant about people talking when you’re counting. Dammit. Okay, honey. Good luck.”
Daniel said something to his mom he didn’t catch, but he heard them laugh. Maybe it was weird his boyfriend was so close to his mom, but he found he loved observing the two of them. They were good for each other, and he was happy to know his mom had had someone like Daniel around before he’d come back to town.
A ping from his phone distracted him. He pulled it out to check the message, a smile finding its way onto his face when he saw the selfie Caleb had sent from a spot along the River Walk that Oliver knew well. A text soon appeared. “Do you remember when we collided on our bikes here when we were fifteen?” Oliver quickly typed up a response, asking if Caleb still had that scar on his shin. He was grateful his old friend had accepted his apology, and was somewhat surprised to find himself enjoying getting to know the grown-up version of the person he’d spent so much time with when he was younger. Then again, he and Caleb had always gotten along well… until he’d shut him and everyone else out.
He put his phone away and grabbed Daniel’s hand, pulling him toward the door. It was something he had to do often; his mom and his man could talk forever otherwise. They said goodbye to Emily, who was manning the front and busy restocking a case of cookies, on their way out.
“Where to first?” Oliver asked as they settled in his car.
Daniel consulted a map on his phone. “Um, a two-bedroom on Archer, which is… seven minutes away from here. Hey, that’s not bad.”
Oliver hummed in agreement. It was closer than his mom lived, and he liked the idea of a shorter drive to work. He wasn’t going to get his hopes up until he saw the place though. Some of the apartments that had sounded good in the ads turned out to be in buildings he was sure were one step from being condemned.
He followed the GPS directions and in no time was pulling into the driveway of what looked to be a house. “Is this the right place?” He put the car in park and turned to Daniel, who was looking at his phone again.
“Yep, the ad says the house was recently converted into three apartments. Two one-bedrooms downstairs, and the entire upstairs is the two-bedroom we’re looking at.”
“Hmm.”
The front door opened to a small lobby-type area that had three mailboxes on the wall, a plant that looked to be in good health, and two doors that obviously went to the downstairs apartments. They took the stairs off to the left and knocked on the door at the top of the landing.
An older gentleman answered, and quickly ushered them inside. “Hi, one of you must be Daniel. I’m Frank, the owner and landlord.”
Daniel shook the man’s hand, and Oliver followed suit, introducing himself.
“Here, all the information you should need is on this sheet,” he said, handing each of them a piece of paper. “Take your time and look around. If you have any questions, I’ll be waiting for you downstairs.”
The man left them alone, and Oliver looked around the empty space that was much bigger than he’d anticipated. The main rooms were all open to each other, and he might have paid attention to the new hardwood floors if he hadn’t seen the kitchen off to his right. He quickly walked over, not really believing the size. It had to be almost as big as the living room, and had a generous
island separating it from the dining space. It would be a perfect place for him to work on tweaking a couple of what he hoped would become his signature dishes that weren’t quite right yet. The appliances were fairly standard, but at least they were new and the stove was gas.
“We should probably see the rest of the place, but I can tell by your expression that this works for you.” Daniel walked around the island to stand next to Oliver.
“Did you show me pictures of this one? Because I don’t remember seeing any kitchen like this.”
“Nope. It looked too good to be true, and I didn’t want to get your hopes up in case it was.”
Oliver took Daniel in his arms and placed a quick kiss on his lips. “You know me too well.”
Daniel smiled at him. “It seemed easier this way. Let’s check out the rest.”
The second bedroom was on the small side, but the master was big enough for both of them and their stuff. The one bathroom was a good size, at least, and he already knew they’d appreciate the two sinks. He was surprised all over again when he opened a door in the hallway he thought might be a linen closet and found a stackable washer and dryer.
“Daniel, did you know this was here?” he called out, not sure where the man had gone.
“What?” He came out of the master bedroom and saw what Oliver was pointing to. “Ohmygod. Please tell me this is the place. Can we sign the lease now? And move in today? Do you know how tired I am of the laundromat? Please please please?”
Daniel had grabbed his arm and was jumping up and down.
Oliver laughed. He was well familiar with Daniel’s complaints about dragging his laundry back and forth to the laundromat.