Page 15 of Mama's Boy
“Tell him he can come visit now.”
“Told you he wasn’t comfortable.”Rowan put his bottle in the recyclable bin.
“Yeah, looks like you were right.”Marty spoke in a lower, more ominous tone to his husband.“Stewart, we need to talk.”
“Since you’re going to argue with Stewart, I’m going to hang up.I’ll let you know what happens.At least I know Stewart’s pulling for me.”
“Smart ass.”
“Yep.”
* * * *
Chase finished typing the last two chapters of his current book.Chase was a fast writer; but now that his own love life was soaring, so was his writing.It was just after three and he had to pack a bag for the weekend.His professor finished teaching his last class at two so he would be at home waiting for him.Since when did I start thinking of Rowan’s house as home and here as work?Since you fell in love with him, dummy.Since you spend every night in his arms, all you do here is write and pick up fresh clothes.How do you feel about that?Chase smiled.It feels just right.Now if I can bring him and Mom together, everything will be fine.
Chase closed his laptop and left it on his desk.He never tried to work at Rowan’s house.Maybe he should.Maybe it would give him an idea of what would happen if they moved in full time.But before he got his own life settled, he had to make sure Mom was okay.Sunday afternoon it was going to happen.He would meet John Schwartz and Mom would meet Rowan.
He went down the hall, whistling, to pack his bag.He opened the door to look in his closet for something to wear.He crooked his head.There wasn’t much in there.He hadn’t realized it before, but he was literally living with Rowan.Oh, he spent the occasional night home when he went to see his mother, but all of the others he spent firmly ensconced in Rowan’s bed.They were living together without having actually said the words.
* * * *
Chase arrived at Rowan’s fifteen minutes later.
“I’m glad you’re early.I want to take you out tonight.Dress up, we’re going somewhere fancy.”
“Where are we going?”Chase asked, somewhat taken aback.
“Nona’s in Bradley Beach.Is that okay?”Rowan wanted everything to be perfect.
“Oh, I love the food at Nona’s.”Chase attempted to grab Rowan and kiss him.
“None of that, we’ll wind up in bed and I want us to go out tonight.”Rowan smacked Chase’s ass and said, “Git.”
Chase laughed and went upstairs to dress.
He was taking his shower as it dawned upon him, Rowan seemed very nervous tonight.Chase hoped it was nothing he did.He hurried to finish his shower and dress.Chase came downstairs in less than fifteen minutes.He wore a suit but left his shirt collar open.“Do I need a tie?”
“No, baby, it’s too hot for a tie.Let’s go, we have early reservations.”Rowan gave Chase a quick kiss and they headed for the door.
It was a less than ten minutes later when they pulled into a parking spot on Main Street.Chase turned to Rowan, “Who’d you have to pay off so we got a parking space right in front of the restaurant?”
“I have my ways.”Rowan twirled an invisible mustache.
They were shown to their reserved table in a secluded corner by the window.“Let me order tonight.”
“Okay, by now you know what I like.”Rowan mentally rubbed his hands.Chase was cooperating.
The waiter came over to the table, “What can I get you to drink, gentlemen?”
“Do you want a cocktail, baby?”
“Some wine?I want to be copacetic for later.”Rowan smiled and gestured for the wine list.
“I’ll take a bottle of the Cakebread 2012 from Napa and we’ll start with two appetizers, fried calamari and antipasto, bring us an aged balsamic vinegar with the antipasto.We’ll also take the Caesar salad.”The waiter took the order down on his pad.“Do you do the Caesar salad and dressing fresh at the table?”Rowan asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Then we’d like extra anchovies.”Chase took Rowan’s hand.
