“Of course,” says Anders, never slow to exploit an opportunity.
“Okay then.”
It seems it’s that simple, if you’re a nearly-five-year-old. Not if you are older.
I need to prepare her. “He may not like it.” Anders scoffs but I go on. “I may not like it. And you may not like it. So, we’re going to go very slowly.”
She just stands there, but I know she’s processing what I am saying.
“We’re going to start with Anders coming over for dinner and sometimes he may stay the night,” I explain. “It’s a long way back to his place and it will be late.”
“Like when Max comes over?”
“Exactly.”
“But where will he sleep?” she asks. “He’s too big to fit in my bed. I s’pose he could sleep on a cushion on my floor.”
“I’ve got a big bed. I don’t mind letting him share it,” I say with magnanimity. “He would be more comfortable there than on a cushion.”
Anders chokes back a laugh. “That’s very kind of you. Thank you.” He even almost manages a straight face. Luckily Effie isn’t great with non-verbal cues.
I’m about to push Anders out of the door before this conversation gets completely out of hand, when Effie’s little voice comes again. “So when is he coming?” She’s a natural at hammering down detail.
“For dinner?” I want to be sure she isn’t expecting Anders to turn up with all his worldly goods, including his dragon.
“I can do tomorrow?” he offers helpfully. He could have gone for tonight but he’s giving her time to get used to the idea of it. My heart warms a tiny bit more.
“And Smaug’ette?”
“She doesn’t travel well. She can only come when everything is fixed and we have a home for her. You wouldn’t want her to catch a cold.” Great. Anders has just made Effie his greatest lobbyist.
Effie shakes her head. “She’d die.”
I have no idea if she’s being dramatic or factual but I’m less than keen to share living space with the lizard or more accurately, her food. I’m happy to postpone Smauglette’s relocation as long as I can. So, I nod along.
“Sweetie, Anders has to go now. Is that okay?” I check if Effie has any more issues she needs covered before opening the door. When she gives a short nod, Anders exits. He hesitates before walking off, obviously wanting to kiss me but I shake my head. We’ve been lucky Effie’s taking it well so far; I don’t want to push it.
He doesn’t have to wait long for his kiss. As soon as I get to work, I head into his office without knocking. I find him in the middle of the floor, upside down, in a headstand. His fingers are laced together holding his head, his biceps bulging. His t-shirt, a clean one – he’s obviously been home – has slid down, exposing his taut stomach. I’m so tempted to lightly brush my fingers along his waistband, just to see how he reacts. But he anticipates me. With rock-steady control, he lowers first one leg, then the other, and flips upright. I pout, then smile. That was impressive.
“I’ve an idea,” he says, enthusiasm lighting up his eyes. But I’m long familiar with his ideas and I’m less keen.
“Go on,” I say cautiously, careful not to be too encouraging.
“If Effie knows about us and seems okay with it, I don’t think we need to hide our relationship.”
“I guess.” It’s only fair, I suppose. “Who did you want to tell? Your family?”
He nods. “And people here.” He’s watching me. He must know it affects me more than him. No-one is going to whisper about him sleeping his way to the top.
I consider his request. The secrecy protects me, and I kind of like the extra spice. But there is a crossover between my life here at work and outside of it. There are people from Cerium I countas friends. Sooner or later, they will find out and the longer I keep it from them, the more upset they will be.
And I like the idea that Anders could just slide an arm around my shoulders, could touch me casually the way people in long-term relationships do. He could place his hand on the small of my back or drop it to my thigh. He could lean in for a peck or a stroke of my hair. Those quick reminders that you are someone special, those fleeting moments of comfort.
“Yes,” I say.
His grin breaks out, bigger than I’ve ever seen.
“But not until after lunch,” I caveat. There are certain people I need to tell personally first.
