Page 2 of A Sugary Life

Shay nodded. “I know. The third floor is perfect.”

Zander went back to watching his fingers move through Maverick’s hair. “Good. You can head there now.”

Even though Zander wasn’t watching, Shay dipped his chin. “On my way.” Shay headed for the stairs. From what he understood, the third floor had been empty for several years before more and more people came to live there. It didn’t surprise Shay they had decided to make the third-floor kitchen the place where desserts were made. They believed in staying in shape here. Everyone would have to walk up three flights of stairs if they wanted a treat. Shay laughed under his breath at the thought. He would have no problem with that. Shay loved sweets.

His smile melted away as his thoughts turned to Phoenix. It had been five years since Shay had set eyes on Phoenix. They had been best friends for years when they lived at the Kapra House. After they had graduated high school, Phoenix had accepted a Kapra scholarship and headed out into the culinary world. Shay had opted to go into security training. At the time, neither of them had owned a cellphone, so there were no numbers to exchange. Things had just gone from talking every day and well into the night to complete silence. It had taken him a while to get past that loss. Of course, there were way more things besides different career paths that tore them apart. Truth be told, he wasn’t sure how Phoenix would react to seeing him. He had run from here without a word or looking back.

Before he reached the third floor, Shay already smelled cookies. He picked up his pace. No doubt the scent would eventually draw everyone upstairs. Shay wanted in on the action before all the sweets were gone.

As he hit the top step, the kitchen came into view. Shay spotted Phoenix in a chef’s jacket, stacking various cookies on a tiered platter. His feet kept moving him closer. Shay didn’t even notice the cookies any longer. All he saw was Phoenix.

Phoenix’s gaze moved his way. His beautiful gray eyes focused on Shay and then swept down Shay’s body.

Shay’s knees weakened. He hadn’t forgotten even the tiniest detail about Phoenix. Shay had thought he had moved past the love he had felt and lost five years ago. Until he held Phoenix’s stare, Shay had genuinely thought he was over him. Apparently, Shay didn’t know shit because he couldn’t breathe.

Phoenix's gaze dropped to Shay’s gun as Shay moved closer. “Have you come to rob me?”

Shay didn’t answer. He circled the island where Phoenix stood and pulled him into a hug. “Holy shit. I’ve missed you so much.”

Phoenix hugged him back. “Hi. Good to see you too. No one told me you were still here.”

Even though he didn’t want to, Shay took a step back. “Would you have refused the job if you’d known?”

Phoenix rolled his eyes. “Of course not. Why would you even ask that?” He didn’t give Shay time to think up an excuse. Phoenix backed up a little and looked Shay up and down again. “Look at you. Someone’s been working out.”

Heat rushed to Shay’s face, and he didn’t know why. It was just Phoenix. The guy had always just done something to him. “I kind of have to stay in shape for this job. You haven’t changed at all. You’re exactly the way I remember you.” Beautiful. Perfect.

Phoenix laughed. His eyes swam with good humor. He looked happy. “I hope I’ve changed a little. It’s been five years, two months, and twenty-two days.”

Everything inside Shay quieted.

They held each other’s stare.

He couldn’t believe Phoenix knew exactly how long it had been since they had last seen each other. Shay opened his mouth to respond. Phoenix had given him what would likely be his only opening to apologize and explain.

Yaro appeared and stole his moment. He jogged the distance between the stairs and Phoenix. “It’s really you.” His deep Russian voice sounded elated. “Zander had said you were coming home, but I can’t believe it.”

A bright smile exploded across Phoenix's face as Yaro pulled him into a hug and lifted him off his feet. “It’s so good to see you.”

Yaro rocked from side to side as if he didn’t have Phoenix’s toes barely scraping the floor. “You are still so little.” He set Phoenix away from him but didn’t release his shoulders. “You left for years. Why not grow?”

Shay smiled at how much heavier Yaro’s accent had gotten with each word.

Phoenix chuckled. “Good metabolism, I suppose.”

Yaro lifted Phoenix's arm and inspected it. “No. You are much too skinny for that. Did you not eat at this place filled with food? Were you fed? I can burn the school to the ground. No one starves my Phoenix.”

“You don’t have to commit arson. I’m just doomed to have the body of a skinny teenager for the rest of my life, but hey.” He turned toward the various cookies he had stacked. “Try one of my cookies.”

Yaro rubbed his hands together. “They all look so yummy. Which one do you suggest?”

Phoenix hadn’t stopped beaming since the moment Yaro had appeared. Shay couldn’t look away. Phoenix moved the platter closer. “Why choose? Get one of each.”

Yaro nodded. “This is a good plan. May I grab three of each? I’ll take the others to Pytor and Legend.”

Phoenix stroked Yaro’s arm. “You don’t have to ask. Let me get you a pastry bag for them.”

“Thank you.”