Page 42 of Seal the Deal
“That’s not enough for an entire day, Charlie,” Andrew sighs, ignoring the rest of that sentence.
“Well, Eden slept at home with Addy and Ella last night, and I miss him when he’s gone, so I stayed up late painting him and fell asleep in the studio, and the only thing out there was a banana because—well you don’t want to know why.”
“Gross.”
“Who said it was gross?” Charlie gapes.
“Please don’t tell me it had anything to do with sex.”
“I won’t tell you,” Charlie says, “but?—”
“No,” Andrew interrupts, breathing in the scent of freshly made tortillas and aromatic spices as they step through the door. “No more.”
“I didn’t even say anything,” Charlie pouts, his expression morphing into one of complete and utter adoration when he catches sight of his boyfriend across the room cleaning one of the corner booths. “Look at him.”
“Yes, I see Eden,” Andrew indulges.
“He’s so beautiful.”
“Uh huh,” Andrew says, urging Charlie forward. Now that he’s smelled the food, he’s absolutely starving, and he doesn’t want to stand here for five minutes while Charlie moons over Eden.
“Hey hot stuff, you single?” Charlie whistles. Several people turn to look at Charlie, including his boyfriend who glares, flipping him two middle fingers as he stalks across the small dining room to stand in front of Charlie. Despite his petite stature, Eden manages to give the air of someone much taller as he jabs a finger in Charlie’s chest.
“What have I told you about making a scene at my job?”
“I think you said not to do it,” Charlie smiles, entirely unbothered about doing exactly what he’s not supposed to.
“And yet here you are, making a scene.”
“I can’t help it if I want to take you on a date and kiss you.”
“No kissing while I’m working,” Eden grumbles, but there’s a shift in his body language, a softening that’s become more familiar in recent weeks. After all their back and forth, and Eden’s fears of relationships, it makes Andrew happy to see them so content together. Albeit in their own weird, argumentative way.
Happy. He’s happy for them. If he’s jealous, too, no one needs to know.
“Can I have just one kiss?” Charlie begs, already leaning down.
“No,” Eden replies, fighting back a smile when he turns to face Andrew. “Hey.”
“Hi, Eden.”
“Juanita’s at the register today, I’ve got to finish cleaning the tables, and then I’m on back room duty for a bit. Make sure he doesn’t cause trouble.”
“Always do,” Andrew laughs while Charlie pretends to be offended.
Making their way to the register, they’re met with the smiling face of Juanita, the owner and woman responsible for all the incredible food. Or at least the recipes. As she gets older, she’s been letting her family cook more and more, but she’s still the face of the restaurant, and her familiarity makes Andrew relax further.
“Buenas tardes, Juanita.”
“Mijo,” Juanita smiles. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes. You’ve been working too hard to come see me, haven’t you?”
Guilt prickles at the edges of Andrew’s consciousness, but he plasters on a smile.
“Tú me conoces, siempre ocupado,” Andrew answers in Spanish.
Juanita’s eyes brighten. “Has estado practicando.”
“Sí, claro siempre,” Andrew confirms.
