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Hayden shook his head, smiling as she left, watching Ashok’s puzzled expression.
“What was all that about?” he asked, leaning his elbows on the counter. Hayden was so tempted to kiss him. His lips looked soft today, no doubt from the honey lip balm he used.
“Angela is just being nosy. She thinks she knows about us.”
“And does she?” Ashok didn’t seem bothered by it.
“No, I’ve told her nothing. It’s not a secret, though, right?” They hadn’t discussed anything about making this public. As far as he was concerned, what they did in the confines of his house was their business and no one else’s.
“No secret. Unless you want it to be?” Ashok looked at him questioningly.
If that was the case, then… Hayden leaned across the counter and kissed Ashok on the lips, lingering for a moment before licking them.
“No secret.”
“I knew it.” They both laughed as they heard Angela’s exclamation from the back of the store.
“Get back to work, woman, and mind your own business.” Hayden kissed him again, this time to the sound of applause.
“I fucking told you there was something going on, Seb, but you just wouldn’t listen.” Seb and Dom strolled into the coffee shop, smiling broadly.
“Sooooo,” Dom said. “When did this all start?”
“None of your business, Dom. You don’t see me getting all up into yours and Jacob’s business.”
“Yeah, but this is juicy,” Dom said, rubbing his hands together.
Hayden started to make them coffee, ignoring his words.
“Go sit. I’ll bring these over.” Seb, Dom and Ashok went to leave, but Hayden stopped Ashok. “Not you. You can stay here with me. You know he’ll just grill you for information, and while I don’t mind it being out, they don’t need to know the ins and outs of a duck’s arse.
“I know you wouldn’t say anything, but once Dom has something in his mind, he does not give up. Believe me.”
“I think I can hold my own,” Ashok said defensively.
“Oh, I know you can. My sassy little dancer. Plus, you can help me carry these coffees over. I trust you, Ash. Never worry about that.”
He took the coffees to them, and while Ashok sat, he went back to work, watching them as Dom fired question after question at Ashok, laughing when Ash refused to say a word.
He knew he could handle it.
***
For the past two weeks, Hayden had taken Sundays off, spending valuable time growing his relationship with Ashok. Angela had agreed to cover, but they’d discussed taking on another member of staff, giving them both some time off. The coffee shop was doing well, better than even he had thought. It was definitely the right time.
As much as things were going well for him, the gnawing feeling because he still hadn’t told Ash about his past was eating at him, until finally, he knew he needed to say something. They were both keeping secrets, he knew that, and whilst he wouldn’t push Ashok to tell his, he had to come clean. Every time he spoke to his mum, she’d ask him, and each time he’d avoid the question.
Until now.
He’d planned a day out for them, the weather having been unseasonably warm. He’d packed the car with a picnic filled with Ash’s favourite foods and the flavoured sparkling water they both liked to drink. Today was going to be the day. He couldn’t wait any longer.
“Is everything OK?” Ashok asked as Hayden drove them to their destination. A stately home with an art exhibition depicting dancers in movement. Not a normal date but the more he’d got to know Ash, the more he’d learnt of his passion for all things dance-related.
“Everything’s fine.” He tried to act as normal as possible and not show that his stomach was in knots, that he was finding it hard to concentrate on the road ahead. This revelation could be the end of it all, and whilst at the beginning, he wouldn’t have been that bothered, now, it would tear him up inside to lose Ash.
When Ashok found out where they were going, he could hardly contain his excitement.
“I’ve wanted to see this for ages but didn’t think I’d get here.”
