Page 52 of Caged
He thought he already had, but that was crazy thinking. Marshall was just helping him. It wasn't some long-lasting romance. "Maybe."
"Trust me. The key to everything is communication. I know right now that might not be so easy to do, but in time, it will get easier. Just take things slow. You'll know what's right and what isn't. Trust yourself to know your limits."
"Thanks." He glanced up at her. "This helps."
"You're not alone. I promise. I'm here for you, Marshall's here, and any of the others you've met would be there if you need them. If you ever need me, you've got my number. I'll even come sit in on your counseling sessions if you need a hand to hold."
The sound of the front door had them both turning, and a second later Marshall walked in, his eyes wide, and a huge smile on his face.
"This house smells amazing." He looked around at the two cakes on the counter and trays of cookies waiting to go into the oven.
"Not all for you," Jessica warned him.
Danny smiled. Just the sight of Marshall had his heart beating faster. "But some is."
"Thanks." Marshall came to him. "I missed you today." He bent and brushed his lips over Danny's.
"Missed you too." Danny blushed, glancing over at Jessica, wanting to see her reaction.
"Oh, so it's like that, is it?" Jessica grinned. "You didn't tell me that." She shook a finger playfully at Danny. "You left out facts."
Danny's cheeks heated even more.
"Be nice, Jess. This is new for us." Marshall put an arm around Danny. "We're taking it slow."
"You better be," she warned before turning to Danny. "You know all those questions you just asked me? Maybe you should be asking him." She smiled. "Know what I mean?"
He nodded, not really wanting to bring it all out in the open again, but still, he knew she was right. If he could ask her, he should be able to ask Marshall.
"Good. Now, let's finish up these cookies. I'm taking half of them and one of the cakes to drop off at work, and you two can have the rest."
"Don't you want any?" Danny planned on sending most of it with her.
"Nope. I have plenty at home and it's just me there. I can't eat it all fast enough. You two will enjoy it. Knowing Marshall, it will be gone by morning."
Marshall flipped her off but smiled while doing it. "If you'd share the recipes, I wouldn't have to beg you for it all the time."
"Not happening. It's our secret now, Danny. Don't be giving it out to any of these guys, no matter how much they beg."
"I promised." He held up a hand. He'd had a great day with Jessica. She'd distracted him most of the day talking about the simplest things, then even when stuff got serious, she'd kept it simple so it hadn't felt as if he was being nagged. "Thanks for trusting me with them."
"This way, if anything ever happens to me, someone knows how to feed the guys." She winked.
They all started to clean up the kitchen as the last of the cookies baked. Danny had hoped to get dinner done before Marshall got home, but had lost track of time. It would wait. He almost dreaded being alone with Marshall now because he would bring up what Jessica said about questions, but maybe she was right and he should talk to Marshall about them.
An hour later, Jessica had the cake and her share of cookies in her arms. She gave Danny a half-hug. "I had fun today. Maybe next time we can try pies."
Marshall licked his lips loudly.
Danny laughed. "You tell me when."
"I will. I have a bit of work this week, but maybe next." She stared at him. "Remember what I said."
"I will, I promise." He watched her run for her car. As he shut the door, he hoped they would have many more days exactly like this one. He liked having friends.
CHAPTER TWENTY
"This is so good." Marshall took another bite of the cake Danny and Jessica had made. "Tell me you learned how to make it again."
