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“Iz! How dare you!” Thomas demurs with a concoction of emotions—perhaps surprise, embarrassment, and titillation. Whatever they are, he blushes like a crab.
Clayton smiles sweetly. “Sorry, man. She’s beaten you to it.”
Thomas gathers himself, picking up the spatula and wiping some clumps of omelet off the floor. “Would you like some breakfast?” he offers.
“Gee, I’d love to, but I’ve got to go. Maybe next time,” Clayton answers. “And I’m sure Isabelle needs to go soon, too.” He grabs my waist, spins me around, and then kisses me on the lips.
“Oh God, get a room, you two!” Thomas banters.
Hearing the commotion, Raffi comes down. “Clayton!”
“Hey, man!”
Raffi offers his hand, which Clayton takes, and then my son draws him into an embrace—man-to-man. He then peeps out the window, clearly checking if it was a chariot or a pumpkin that took me home just now.
“Are you staying?” Raffi asks in anticipation.
“Not today,” Clayton replies. “But I’ve been thinking—”
I tip my head sideway, anticipating what he’s about to say.
“Will you play basketball with me sometime?” Raffi requests. He told me that he found an article about Clayton playing hoop-off with a Greek prince aboard one of his mega-yachts—both were wearing their tuxes.
“Of course I will, Raffi. But what I have in mind is way cooler.”
“Really? What is it?”
“How about I keep it as a surprise?” Clayton decides. “I’ll pick you up next weekend.”
“Cool!” Raffi offers him a fist bump, which Clayton accepts with enthusiasm.
“Make sure it’s your day off.” He nods at me. “It’s going to be a whole day kind of outing.”
“Okay. I’ll try.”
“Where’s your commitment?” he criticizes.
“Okay, I will get a day off.”
“That’s the spirit! Can I take Matty too?”
“Of course!”
I pause. Why am I feeling happy? Not the kind of happy like you’re going somewhere with a special someone or happy that you’re being treated kindly. But happy that something is coming true. Not just ‘something’—it’s actually one of my long-running fantasies.
To have a family again.
Two kids going on an outing with me. Imagine that. And beside me will be my own hunky boyfriend—who is a fantasy in his own right.
“Ready whenever you are.” Clayton hints that it’s time.
“Oh, yes. Let me get my bag and uniform.” I head upstairs.
Thomas rushes to follow me.
“Iz…” He draws my hand and puts it on his heart. “Do you feel it?”
“Yeah. You’re still alive.”
