Chance Encounter - Jerry Cole Page 0,16
Hayden asked.
“I think I do.” I smiled.
We returned to his apartment, where I told him that my cousin was leaving tomorrow. They were planning dinner, and I shyly asked Hayden to join us. My family knew about him, but I took it seriously when introducing someone I was seeing to my family.
“Dinner?” Are you sure?” Hayden asked as I nodded.
“He treats us to one of the best steakhouses in the city, and you’ll be included in that as well. Jackson owns a construction company. He does well, and I suspect that he writes all meals off in taxes.” I grinned as he nodded.
“That sounds fun.” He stepped toward me, wrapping his arms around my waist before giving me a soft kiss. “I love you. I could’ve lost you today.”
“We got out of the way. It’s all good.” I kissed him again, leaning over to deepen it.
We managed to shower so that he could change into black slacks and a gray button-up shirt. We went to my apartment so that I could change into something similar. We stood in the hallway for a long moment as I squeezed his hand. “I’m nervous,” Hayden confessed as I kissed him gently.
“They’re going to love you.” I tapped on the door once he relaxed, watching as Jackson opened the door. “Hey. How are you?” We hugged, and I pulled Hayden inside to introduce him to Gram and Jackson, and everyone hugged as Hayden blushed. I could see that Gram liked him, with her warm smile and sparkling eyes, but I told her so much about him already.
We got her ready to leave, walking around her like bodyguards as Gram rolled her eyes. She was growing weaker but still in decent health. She could live fine on her own for a while, as long as I was next door.
I drove us to the restaurant, parking close since it was before the dinner crowd was set to arrive. The hostess led us to a booth, frowning when she saw Hayden take my hand on the way to the table. Jackson chuckled, shaking his head once we were seated at the table. “You broke that girl’s heart.”
“It happens a lot with him.” Hayden grinned at me as I shook my head.
“It happens a lot because of Hayden, not me. Either way, we’re not interested.” We smiled at each other as a waiter brought us all water. We ordered drinks, and Hayden scanned the menu, tensing when he saw the prices.
Gram asked Hayden questions about his job at the theater and his family. He told her all about his job and how long he worked there. He gave me a look when the other part came up, smiling. “My family isn’t close. I have my best friend, Becca, and her girlfriend, Mari, as my family. Now, I have Gray.”
“Blood is not thicker than water, Hayden. I’m not close to Gray’s father due to the fact he’s a hopeless case, but I raised this one like he was my own. I’m so happy that he’s here with me now, and that people like Jackson come to see me.” Jackson kissed her cheek.
“I always will,” he promised her as love filled the room. My family was amazing, even if some of them weren’t around to be a part of things.
We ordered dinner, enjoying salads and appetizers before our entrees. The conversation flowed as Jackson explained to Hayden that he lived in Florida and owned one of the most successful construction companies in the state. While he was a masculine guy, Jackson didn’t care one bit when I came out to my family. He was one of the people in the family that checked on Gram regularly.
We ended dinner with some fabulous dessert. We took Gram home and hung out in her small living room to chat. I asked Hayden if he’d stay with me tonight, smiling when he agreed. We got her to bed, offering to drive Jackson to the airport tomorrow.
“Your place is great,” Hayden told me later that night when we were in for the night. I had a large two-bedroom apartment, and we were on the couch in the living room.
“I like it. It’s worked out great living here.” I smiled, slipping my arm around his shoulder. “Did you like them?”
“Gram is great. I think I’ll let her adopt me.” She mentioned that at her place and Hayden looked happy at the suggestion.
“She was like that when I was growing up. She’d cook for so many people