Page 187 of Pistols and Plush Toys

“You’re distracting me,” Elliot scolded, though he couldn’t stop the laughter coloring his voice.

Nikolai only hummed and curled closer, nuzzling at his hair.

Elliot had never gotten as far as imagining how Nikolai would act if they were in a real relationship, but he was surprised by the blatant affection. Maybe he shouldn’t have been. These last few weeks Nikolai had been warm and attentive and open, doling out humor and praise in spades.

He smiled and pet at Nikolai’s hair with the hand not holding the spatula.

“Is okay if eggs not perfect,” Nikolai rumbled. “Still will taste good. My chef is best, didn’t you know?”

Elliot giggled. “Oh yeah?”

“Yes,” Nikolai said decisively. “Best chef. Also best boyfriend.” He kissed Elliot’s hair and then pulled away, heading to the coffee machine at last. Elliot forced himself to turn his attention back to the omelette that was almost finished.

When he glanced at Nikolai again, it was to see the man watching him, expression thoughtful. It was a thrill to be able to interpret Nikolai’s expressions now. That Elliot had come to know him so well.

“Something on your mind?” Elliot asked, plating the omelette.

“You say before, you’re wanting to be private chef maybe,” Nikolai said.

“Oh, um, yeah,” Elliot said.

“I’m big name,” Nikolai said, puffing up. “Is mean my reference is very good. Meredith, she would know people who might need good private chef. Also people who would understand you taking protection.”

“That would be amazing!” Elliot beamed at him,. Nikolai kept being so kind. Thoughtful. “If you and Meredith wouldn’t mind.”

“We would like it very much,” Nikolai said, picking up his coffee mug and following Elliot to the table. “Gives you good ways to keep busy and happy and cooking. That’s good.”

Elliot’s heart flipped over in his chest as he took his seat. “Well thank you. I really appreciate it.”

“Only best things for best chef and best boyfriend,” Nikolai said warmly, stooping down to kiss Elliot’s cheek again.

***

When they had finished breakfast and Elliot moved to clean up, Nikolai caught him by the sink and kissed him. They spent a few long minutes wrapped up in each other before Nikolai’s phone started buzzing so insistently that Elliot finally pulled back.

“You should handle that,” he said with a smile. His cheeks were sore from smiling.

Nikolai made a face that had Elliot giggling. “Fine, I’m doing my work,” he said with a huff as he backed away, reaching for his phone in his pocket. “But I’m thinking is not so fair I have to do business first morning I have nice new boyfriend.”

“I’ll be here when you’re finished though,” Elliot said.

Nikolai grumbled and pressed one last kiss to his cheek. “Okay, okay.”

Once Nikolai left for his office, Elliot smiled all the way through cleanup and then went to his bedroom, got his notebook, and brought it back to the kitchen table. Because Nikolai had brought up an important topic—how Elliot wanted to look into becoming a private chef for other clients.

If Nikolai and Meredith could help Elliot find clients, it was the other, bigger logistics that would take some work. If he was starting a business, there were a lot of technical aspects. He’d need a website and an email. A way to accept payment. Branding for his business.

But Elliot knew someone who had a degree in business management, and over twenty years of experience running successful businesses. He could ask Meredith where to start.

He could also ask Nikolai or Gerard. Meredith ran a lot of stuff, but Nikolai and Gerard were very hands-on with their jewelry stores. All three of them could have some good insight into what getting a business off the ground would entail.

But now that Elliot was thinking of it, first he should come up with some way to thank them for everything they’d done for him already. The dust was settling and everyone was mostly okay. Elliot wanted some way to show his gratitude.

He tapped his pen against his lips, recalling how excited Gerard had been about trying Elliot’s food. Cooking was certainly something he could do! He could throw a dinner party where he cooked for Nikolai, Gerard, and Meredith, the three people who had changed his life for the better in every conceivable way. Give them a relaxing evening of good company and good food.

He flipped his notebook to a fresh page. A business wouldn’t be built overnight, but a dinner party though, that was a task he could work on now.

But what would he make…?

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