I snorted. “You know damn well it is. Did you remember to throw in those sample pavers?”
He nodded. “Yep. And before I forget, we need a new blade for that old skill saw of yours, but otherwise we’re good to go. Man, I’m starving.”
“You’re always starving,” I argued, shooting a nervous glance over his shoulder to the hallway, but the bathroom door remained closed. I figured I had a few minutes max before Thaddeus appeared and my life became a goon show. “You’ll be happy to know I cooked extra this morning.”
“Music to my ears.” Tap enveloped me in a hug. “I won’t have to beat your arse, then. It’s gotten a little chubbier since the last time we were on intimate terms, and I might strain a muscle.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re such a dick. It isexactlythe same size. And there was nolasttime. It was anonlytime. One night. One unfortunate and forgettable thirty minutes, fifteen years ago. An encounter we both regret. One. Uno. Singular. Ein. We were hardly a romance made in heaven.”
Tap winked. “It wasfortyminutes, at the very least, but who’s counting?”
I laughed. “You, clearly. But you have to agree; we’re much better as friends.”
“True.” Tap leaned over my shoulder as I flipped a pancake. “What the fuck are you doing making pancakes? Weneverhave pancakes.”
“I felt... like a change,” I fumbled. “Now shut up and take a seat.”
Tap laid a hand on my forehead. “Are you sick? Dying? If you are, can I please have the flatbed truck? And no, I don’t want Ziggy.”
I groaned. “You bloody will so take Ziggy. Your boyfriend is the reason he’s so damn spoiled.”
Hearing his name, Ziggy came running from where he’d stationed himself in the hallway opposite the bathroom and begged to be picked up.
Tap happily obliged, crooning softly, “Aw, did you miss me, little man? I promised Will I’d kiss you for him, but I lied.” He scratched behind Ziggy’s ears for a few seconds, then put him back down.
I had to smile. Tap’s boyfriend, Will, was a red-haired, green-eyed, smart-mouthed whirlwind of a young man with a huge heart and an endless capacity to make my best friend smile. Ziggy positively adored him, and I happened to agree with the dachshund’s assessment. Will was the best thing to happen to Tap since... forever. Between Tap’s easy-going nature and his solid, reassuring presence, and Will’s zest for life and endless capacity for fun, they were a great match. Will’s family had been less than happy about their son’s coming out, and he didn’t see much of them. On the other hand, Tap’s large extended family had welcomed Will into their fold with open arms and given him the home he’d been missing for too long.
I hoped with every fibre of my being that they lasted. Before Will, Tap’s dating history read like a Rolodex. When Will cameonto the scene, all that changed, and I couldn’t be happier for my friend. Envious, even.
“You got into the chicken food again, didn’t you?” Tap studied Ziggy with a smile, then looked to me. “He’s gotta be a kilo more than he was at the beginning of the week.”
“Day before yesterday.” I shot Ziggy a glare, which he happily ignored as he trotted back up the hallway toward the bathroom. “I’m gonna have to fit a lock to those bins.”
Tap’s answering chuckle ended abruptly as he said, “Oh shit, I almost forgot. Do you know there’s a car buried in your compost heap?” He stole a slice of bacon, and I slapped him with my spatula. “Ow!” He shook his hand. “That hurt. Anyway, I took a look, but it’s empty. The heap will need a rebuild though. The concrete block divisions are fine, but there’s manure strewn all over the place.”
“Yeah, I’m aware,” I told him. “Let me get done here, and I’ll tell you about it. Now, sit.”
“Yes, sir.” Tap saluted and turned toward my old oak dining table groaning with food. “Jesus, Ry.” He put a hand to his chest and batted his lashes. “Pour moi? You shouldn’t have.”
“Shut up.” I threw a piece of buttered toast his way, and he caught it on the fly.
Chewing thoughtfully, Tap considered the laden plates of food. “Since when do you go all Gordon Ramsey for breakfast?”
“I didn’t go...” A blush stole over my cheeks, and I grunted, “Whatever.If you don’t want to eat, you can always start shovelling the manure.”
Tap cocked his head. “I never said I didn’t want to eat. What’s going on, Ry?”
Instead of answering, I walked to the door into the hallway, knowing exactly how this was about to go down. I was almost looking forward to it since Tap was overly fond of reminding meexactly how predictable I was in his eyes. “Do you want sausage with your eggs and bacon?” I called.
Tap immediately stopped chewing and his gaze jerked toward the hall, his expression almost comical.
Thaddeus took a second to answer, “No, but thank you.”
Tap’s mouth dropped open, and he joined me at the open door in two seconds flat. “Just who the hell was that?” His gaze locked on the empty hall before turning back to me. “Do you have a man stashed in your bedroom, Ryder Nelson?”
“Keep your voice down.” I manhandled Tap back into the kitchen. “And no, I do not have a man stashed in my bedroom.” I met his gaze and couldn’t resist. “He’s in my bathroom.”
A slow grin spread over Tap’s face, and he punched me in the bicep. “Why, you dirty dog. I am so fucking proud of you.”
