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I didn’t know why he was telling me this. Mr Klutz was all professionalism and stern words. Usually. But I wasn’t the only one struggling with his unexpected candidness because Finn was swallowing far too loudly, and I didn’t know where to look.
“His name was Hugo too, and he was the gentlest, kindest person in the world. But that is life, and Hugo left this world under the most unpleasant circumstances. He never asked for help. Didn’t let anyone know the absolute… Anyway. I’m…grateful to have had him in my life. And I am grateful for your hard work, gentlemen. Now. Shall we start this meeting?”
He turned away and I knew exactly why. Finn squeezed my arm.
Life. Life was just what it was. We lived it. Sometimes we hit parts of it that we’d rather have not, other times it hit us in the face. Sometimeswe didn’t make it out the other side. Other times, life gave you gifts. Friendships. Other humans who changed the way you looked at things. Love. Sometimes life gave you love.
I had love. So much of it. Maybe I hadn’t always seen it, but here I was years later, and I wanted it. I wanted life, love. All of it.
***
I sped out the door as soon as the meeting allowed, my laptop tight to my chest as I jammed my finger against the lift buttons. Down. I needed down. Away from all of this and back to where I belonged.
Comfort.
His smile was all the comfort in the world, watching me in amusement as I strode across the lobby with determination in my step. Yes, I knew I shouldn’t be in the lobby. The back corridors were there for a reason, but as I’d once told Mr Klutz, we were a working hotel. Showing my face to our esteemed guests was good for the restaurant. Good for the hotel. I was the human face of our culinary experiences. Mr Klutz had just shaken his head and once again reprimanded me for not knowing my place. I’d ignored him back then, just as I did now. This was my little kingdom, and Hugo was here.
The guy who let me wrap my arms around him, right there on the lobby floor.
“You need to go to work, Benjamin. We have the Women’s Institute luncheon in an hour. They will bemost displeasedif their Dover sole is overcooked.” He smirked, and it made me want to kiss him.
He was stunning, his skin bright and his cheeks rosy, and we both needed a haircut. Not that I wanted him to cut those cute curls that now almostcovered his eyes. It just wasn’t a priority. There were so many other things in life I’d rather do than go to the barber’s. Things like hanging out with him. My Hugo.
“So. When were you going to tell me about this promotion?” I asked quietly, tugging at his waist. I needed him here. With me.
“Never, because it’s not happening. I like my little desk here. I like my job.”
“You’re brilliant,” I agreed, “but there’s more to this place than the concierge’s desk. A change of scenery, perhaps?”
“The scenery is the same from over there.” He looked over at the reception desk. “And I would also have to deal with people, make uncomfortable decisions…tell Emma off for chewing gum.”
“Emma shouldn’t be chewing gum in public. Neither should I be kissing you, but I don’t really care.”
To prove it, I kissed that smile, relishing his soft lips against mine. He was still smiling when I stopped.
“Then maybe I should take up Finn’s kind offer, if only so I can keep you in line. Will I be allowed to tell you off if I do? Report you to management for harassing the staff? Looking too handsome? Having crumbs down your apron?”
“Nope.” I grinned, tapping his nose with my finger. “I’d still outrank you, remember that.”
He stuck out his tongue at me. I kissed him again before I let him go and reluctantly moved away from his desk. I needed to get back to my kitchen.
“I told Mum we’re coming down for the weekend,” I called over my shoulder.
“We need to get that workman in and finish the guest room. Then she can come stay with us too. And my sister can stay for that theatre thing she wants to see and—”
“I’ll call him,” I promised, and I would because Hugo had a point. We needed to do this, and do this right. Live. Have family over. Figure everything out.
I also needed to look into this thing Finn was on about. Security. Pensions. Make sure Hugo would always be looked after. Make sure I would be too. We had a whole life here, and I couldn’t just mope around and wallow on my sofa anymore. There were things that needed to be done. Good things.
I loved my life. I really did. I loved where I worked, and I loved the people around me.
Loved that I could.
Because I was allowed this. I knew that now.
“Hey, Hugo?” Turning around, I headed back to where he stood, rays of sunshine dancing in his hair, his smile lighting up the space around him.
“What?” He leant forward, elbows on the desk, just beaming at me.
