For a long moment they stayed like that, pressed together, the smell of wine and garlic filling the kitchen, the pan on the stove quietly bubbling. It all felt oddly normal considering everything that had just happened. But normal was what Joe wanted.
He broke the silence first because the smell had just changed. “Is the chicken burning?”
Kaden groaned. “Shit.” He gave Joe a quick squeeze and hurried to the stove. He lifted the lid, stirred the pot, and tasted the sauce with a spoon. “Caught it in time.” He turned the heat down.
“Do you think I should’ve said something at the time about the guy cheating?” Joe asked.
“No. I’m glad you didn’t. It could have got unpleasant. You’re sure he cheated, though?”
“Yes. When he made a move I hadn’t expected, I was more certain. Then I had to adjust my game.”
“You remembered all his moves?”
“Of course. His and everyone else’s. All of them in every game.”
“Joe,” Kaden said slowly, “most people struggle just to remember what a single opponent played two moves ago.”
“Oh.” Joe folded his hands together. “I suppose that might explain why everyone kept staring at me.”
Kaden shook his head in disbelief, a smile spreading across his face. “You walked into a high-stakes game and wiped the floor with them.”
“I didn’t wipe the floor,” Joe said automatically, then adjusted to the less literal meaning. “I just made fewer mistakes.”
“Three hundred thousand pounds’ worth fewer?”
“It sounds different when you say it like that. But if the money isn’t important…” Joe looked up carefully. “Why does everyone care about it so much?”
Kaden leaned against the counter. “Because most people think money solves everything, that it makes life easier, safer. Gives you choices.”
“Does it?”
“Yes. Sometimes.” Kaden shrugged. “But it’s not the most important thing in life.”
“What’s that?”
“The people you have around you. Your family and friends. Because that’s what makes you happy. I mean, it’s good to be healthy too. You need good health in order to enjoy life.”
“And a job you like?”
“You didn’t enjoy yours.”
Joe shook his head.
“I suppose it doesn’t have to be a job, but everyone needs a sense of purpose, a reason for living the best life you can while you can.”
Joe hoped he lived as long as Kaden. He didn’t want more. He went over to Kaden and took hold of his hand. He felt very brave. “I want to make you happy. That’s my purpose in life.”
Kaden stroked Joe’s cheek. “If Alistair and Elsie weren’t due back at any moment, and I wasn’t worried about dinner burning, I’d take you upstairs and make us both very happy. Instead, I’ll show you how to use your phone.”
Joe smiled.
By the time Alistair and Elsie came back, the authorities had been notified about Joe’s new address and asked to stop the maintenance payment.
“Ready to eat?” Kaden asked.
“Absolutely,” Alistair said. “Just let me wash my hands.”
Kaden began to plate up the food.
