Page 29 of Secret
Noam grinned. He didn't want the night to end. "If you're not in a hurry to go, I think I could scrounge up some ice cream. Maybe we can see if there's anything on TV while we eat it?" He wanted to continue his conversation with Kasey, but it clearly was going to have to wait until they were alone, which probably wouldn't be for a few more days.
"Ice cream sounds great. What do you think, Faith?" Kasey asked.
"Yes, please." She smiled.
"Why don't you go find us something to watch on TV while we get it." Noam nodded to the living room. "The remote should be on the coffee table."
Faith jumped up and went into the living room, Casper following her.
"Are you sure we aren't keeping you from something? I know you have to work early." Kasey asked.
Noam gently pulled his hand free and stood. "No, you're good for a bit longer. I'm glad for the company." He pulled three bowls from the cupboard. "Grab the ice cream from the freezer for me?"
Kasey stood, going to the fridge, and pulling out the ice cream. He walked over to the counter, setting it down next to the bowls. He gently rested his palm on Noam's back. "We can finish our conversation on Saturday if you want."
Noam turned to him, their bodies close. "Was there more to talk about?" He lifted his hand to Kasey's cheek, brushing his knuckles down it. "I really want to kiss you right now, but I don't want our first kiss rushed, and I really don't want Faith interrupting, so I'm going to wait, but I just wanted you to know, I want to kiss you."
Kasey grinned. "The feeling is mutual, but I agree. It's best to wait. Come to my place for dinner on Saturday?"
Noam nodded, even though in the back of his mind he was sure they were better off being in public and not alone. "Just tell me what to bring."
"Just you. I'll take care of the rest." Kasey stared at him a moment before shaking his head. "Where can I find spoons?"
"What?" Noam had no idea what Kasey was talking about.
"Spoons, for the ice cream." Kasey laughed.
"Oh, right. Um, third drawer over." Noam nodded as he reached into another drawer for the ice cream scoop.
He focused on serving the ice cream, trying not to think about Kasey and their conversation. As much as the thought of a relationship scared him, the thought of having someone there brought a sense of peace. He'd been on his own for a long time, refusing to search for someone who he could enjoy time with. Kasey appeared out of nowhere, showing up twice in a short amount of time as if fate or some force was telling him to pay attention. Being around Kasey felt right, more right than anything had in his life for years. He couldn't ignore that.
As they carried the bowls into the living room, Noam thought about how well they worked together. It was only ice cream, but doing things in the kitchen with Kasey seemed normal, almost as if they'd been doing it for years.
He waited for Kasey to hand Faith her bowl and sit down on the couch beside her before he sat down at the other end of the couch, close to Kasey. Their legs touched as he sat back, but he didn't move away, enjoying the warmth of his thigh against his own. "What are we watching?"
"Ninja Warrior. Dad says Xander should give it a try." Faith pointed to the obstacle they were currently on. "I don't think Xander can do that though."
"I'm not sure many of us could do that." Noam watched as a guy somehow managed to climb straight up a shaft.
"I think I'd fail just because I'd get nervous having so many people watch me," Faith said.
"Me too, plus knowing it was on TV," Kasey agreed.
Noam listened to Faith and Kasey talk, and for a brief moment, wondered if this was what it would be like to have his own family, his own child. He'd never really given it much thought. He didn't date, didn't look for a future with a partner or a family, but somehow, sitting on the couch doing something as casual as eating ice cream and watching TV made him yearn for that. It was a desire that caught him off guard, but also angered him because the reality of it was, he could never have that. Kasey might want him now, but as they got to know each other better and he finally was forced to tell him everything, it would change things. It always did.
Ignoring the way his thigh tingled as it touched against Kasey's, Noam reminded himself that no matter how good it was now, it wouldn't stay that way, and he was best to remember that. It was going to be the only way he managed to keep his sanity when all was said and done, and Kasey walked out the door.
"You okay?" Kasey laid his hand on Noam's thigh.
"Yeah, was just thinking about work," Noam lied.
"Speaking of which, you have to work tomorrow. Faith and I should be getting home." Kasey grabbed their empty ice cream dishes and stood. "Faith, it's time to go."
Faith yawned and stretched. "You're not going to give me a bedtime like Dad does, are you?"
"Yup, I am, but probably not the same one he gives." He winked at her as he headed into the kitchen.
Noam followed him, coming up behind Kasey, and pressing his chest to Kasey's back as he rinsed off the bowls. "I had an amazing time tonight." He wrapped his arms around him, splaying his hands over Kasey's chest as he rested his chin on his shoulder.
