Page 19 of Starting Over in Cedarwood

He glanced at the coffee table. The notion hadn’t occurred to him to ask what Shaun had ordered and he had no idea what to prepare for—did they need plates and silver? He grabbed napkins and cleared off the space.

Shaun returned a moment later. “Ready?” He held two paper bags. “I went with Chinese. Got a little of everything. Some soup, egg rolls, rice and chicken. I hope it’ll do. I figured Leo’s eaten, so it’s our turn.”

“It is.” He grabbed two bowls. “I haven’t had Chinese in forever. Oh, and don’t expect me to eat with chopsticks. I haven’t mastered them, no matter how much I try—and I’ve tried.” He tended to wear more than he ate when he used the implements.

“I’ve never tried.” Shaun placed the bags on the coffee table, then spread the various boxes and cartons out.

Kevin sat across from him on the floor. The food smelled delicious and he offered a napkin. Leo, roused from his momentary nap, strutted over to them and sat on the sofa, watching Kevin.

“Thank you. Help yourself. Leo, you’ll have to wait until next time.” Shaun dished out rice and chicken. “You’re sure this is good enough, Kevin?”

“It’s perfect.” He waited for Shaun to finish. “I haven’t had decent Chinese food in ages. I’ve suffered through the canned stuff because it was cheaper, but it’s not as good.”

“Not great at all.”

“No.” He dished out a portion of rice and chicken. “Thanks.”

Leo reached forward and batted at the chopsticks. He knocked one packet on the floor. “Thanks, Leo,” Kevin said. “Sorry.”

“He’s not hurting anything.” Shaun held up his bowl. “To us.”

“To us.” A thought occurred to him.Shit.He should get them something to drink. “I’m sorry. What do you want to drink? I have milk, water and a six pack—I think. I had one. I don’t drink much and I can’t remember when I even bought the beer.”

“Water is great.” Shaun remained on the floor. “Thank you.”

Kevin scrambled to his feet and poured two glasses of water. “Here you go.” He returned to the kitchen long enough to retrieve a couple kitty treats for Leo. “And for you.”

“To us.” Shaun held up his glass.

“You’ve said that.” He laughed. “To this beginning.” He placed the treats on the floor and stroked Leo’s back while the cat ate.

“Yes.” Shaun downed some of the water. “So, Kevin Keiser, what is your ultimate date? If you were told you could go on that date, all expenses paid, what would it be?”

“You mean, what does it consist of?” Kevin asked. He continued to pet the cat.

“Yes.” Shaun ate and left the question between them.

“Well…” He had to think about this a bit. “My ultimate date involves me and the guy I’m with, but it’s simple. It’s easy. A bottle of wine, popcorn maybe and a movie. We’d set up a blanket on the grass and watch a movie in the back yard. Just the two of us. We’d watch the film—probably a black and white one—and cuddle, totally engrossed in each other. The movie doesn’t matter because it’s really just noise, but we’d be tangled together and happy.”

Shaun’s odd grin returned. He placed his fork on the bowl. “You’re serious?”

Fuck.The tips of his ears burned again. “Yes?” He tamped down his embarrassment. He’d answered wrong. “Why are you looking at me like I’ve grown horns? It’s a simple date idea, but it’s too simple for you, isn’t it?” He paused. “Are you weirded out by the cat? He’s harmless. Snobby, but harmless.”

“Marry me,” Shaun said. His eyes widened. “Whoa.”

“Wait. What?” He must’ve heard Shaun wrong. “Did you say…?”

“I did.” Shaun blushed, then covered his face with his hands. “That slipped out.”

“Oh.” He hadn’t meant what he’d said.Okay.Kevin wished he had. He wanted to find the man he’d marry and start their relationship instead of wasting time.

“Let me clarify,” Shaun said. “It was a total slip.”

He should’ve guessed. So much for hoping Shaun might be the one.

“But what I said wasn’t entirely wrong.” Shaun reached across the table and held Kevin’s hand. “If I were planning my ultimate date, it’s almost a carbon copy of yours. We’d have the movie showing from a projector or one of those fancy projection things, but shown on a sheet. We’d have a little fire, too.” He chuckled. “No one ever came close to having the same kind of ultimate date.”

“I said I’m simple.” And he liked the way Shaun thought. “I have a clingy cat and I’m not handsome like some guys.”

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