Footsteps of the Past (Second Chances #2) - Felice Stevens Page 0,2

Corbin, had forged a wonderful relationship and would spend hours discussing books, politics, and the world. When he’d passed away, the pain of his loss was real, and Chess had felt like he was losing a father all over again—only this time, it was someone who truly cared about him.

“She’s fine. Same as always.” André finished his bottle of water and yawned. “I need to take a nap and then shower. We’re celebrating the signing of the deal with the new investors, and I want to be fresh for all the interminable speeches. I’ll talk to you later. I love you.”

“Love you too. Enjoy.”

He rolled his eyes. “Doubtful. I’ll have to put on my I-love-being-here face, when all I want is to be on a plane, coming home to you.”

“I have faith in you. Just give them that special Webster charm. And you’ll be here soon enough.”

André blew him a kiss and pinned him with heated eyes. “That’s reserved for you, love. Once I’m home, I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

“Looking forward to it.”

The screen turned dark, and Chess closed the laptop. His phone rang, and seeing Elliot’s number pop up, he smiled and hit Accept.

“Hey. How’s it going?”

“Good. What’re you up to today? Feel like coming with me on some research?”

Chess left the bed and padded across the spacious master suite to stand in front of the set of three windows overlooking Central Park. That sweeping view still left him breathless, even so many years after he’d moved in here.

“Depends. What’re you researching?”

“The best dumplings in the city. I’ve already taken Win to Flushing in Queens and Chinatown in the City, so I’m ready to hit up Sunset Park and Avenue U in Brooklyn.”

“Hell to the yeah. I’d have to be crazy to turn you down.”

“Great. We haven’t had a chance to talk much lately. Come by anytime you want. Win left for his tour already, and I wouldn’t mind catching up before we head out.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I shower and check my emails.”

“I’ll be here.”

It had been a long time since he and Elliot had hung out, and he couldn’t wait to hear how happy his friend was in his relationship—plus try all the dumplings. Win was everything he could’ve hoped Elliot would find in a partner. The conversation with André, knowing he was coming home in a couple of days, had energized him. Even though he’d had his plate full with friends, classes, and grading exams, nighttimes left him a little lost without the man he loved by his side. He hopped in the shower, then dressed and headed to the kitchen to make toast and coffee. No use in filling up before the dumpling extravaganza.

“Good morning, Martine,” he greeted their housekeeper, who was already busy at the stove.

Martine smiled at him. “Good morning, Chess.”

A few emails from his teaching assistants needed answering, and he ate his breakfast while handling them.

When the toast was gone, Martine reached for his plate. “More toast?”

“No, thank you, and you know you don’t have to make me breakfast or clean up after me.”

The one thing he’d never become used to was having a housekeeper to do his laundry, wash his dishes, and clean up after him. Growing up with as little as he had, it made him uncomfortable to have someone do the things he’d been taught were his jobs around the house.

“Taking the plate away and putting it in the dishwasher is hardly work, see?” To prove her point, she lifted the plate from in front of him. “When is André coming home?”

“I spoke to him earlier, and he said day after tomorrow.”

“I bet you can’t wait. Maybe you can persuade him to go away on a little vacation, just the two of you. That man has been working way too hard.”

Chess appreciated Martine, and they’d grown to be friends during the years he’d been living with André. She’d been with the Websters since before André’s parents had met and married, and Chess thought she knew André better than anyone else, including his family. “I’d love to, but we’ll have to wait until he comes home to see what he’s got on his calendar. You know he’s not the kind I can make plans for on my own.”

Frowning, she took a seat across from him at the wide marble island. “I do know, but you have to assert yourself. I think he’s been running on that treadmill so long, he doesn’t realize he needs someone