Page 117 of All Tied Up

Ty crossed his arms. “Alright, think hard now. What are the warning signs with Neil? What’s the worst that you think might happen?”

Just then, the kitchen door swung open. Sebastian looked up, expecting to tell one of the guests that they couldn’t come into the kitchen. But it was Neil, looking delectable with three days of scruff on his cheeks and black t-shirt clinging to his soft form. He looked hesitant, though, like he wasn’t sure of his welcome.

“Neil!” Ty called out before Sebastian got a chance to. “Come on in. Over easy or scrambled?”

“Um… Hey, Ty.” His face brightened. “I don’t think I’m hungry yet. Are you sure I can come in?”

“Of course,” Sebastian beckoned him forward.

The idea of Neil thinking of himself as a guest, as someone who needed to sit in the dining room like one of the visitors, seemed intolerable. Neil belonged in here, where Sebastian could make sure he got enough to eat and bring him his coffee. Where Sebastian could get another dose of his presence because waking up next to him hadn’t been enough.

But was that infatuation speaking or something else? What were the warning signs?

At Sebastian’s welcome, Neil smiled like a ray of sun breaking through the clouds. He sat down on the stool at the end that had already become his, setting a few folders on the table beside him.

Sebastian busied himself making Neil’s coffee, looking up occasionally just to see Neil watching him. Neil looked alternately worried and besotted—about how he was feeling himself. It hurt seeing Neil look concerned when Sebastian was sure he was the source of it. Yet every time Neil's dreamy eyes followed him around the kitchen, it warmed Sebastian inside.

All he was doing was making coffee, even if he’d already memorized just how Neil liked it, with a lot of milk and a dash of sugar. Nothing special.

But it was special.

He set the mug in front of Neil, who said “Thank you, Sir,” with quiet reverence, like he understood all of the intimacy and symbolism of the act.

Sebastian kissed his upturned face, losing himself for a moment in Neil’s lips and the way he went absolutely limp and compliant as soon as Sebastian cupped the back of his neck in a tight grip.

He was delicious.

What were the warning signs?

There had to be some.

Jamie stumbled into the kitchen a moment later, his hair an adorable mess and eyes bleary. Instead of going to Sebastian like he usually did for a morning hug, he shuffled over to Neil and burrowed into his arms.

Neil pulled him in close. “You were supposed to be sleeping,” Neil gently chided the other boy.

“I know!” Jamie pouted. “But you were supposed to be sleeping next to me.”

Neil nuzzled into Jamie’s shoulder. “If you want to take a nap later, I could cuddle next to you.”

“And sleep?”

“And work on a business plan while you sleep.”

God, Sebastian couldn’t think of anything sweeter. He wanted to be there just to watch. But more than that, it filled his heart knowing that his two boys would be snuggled up close and taking care of each other.

“For the lodge?” Jamie asked.

“The Meadowlark already has a business plan. This is for something else.” Neil almost hid a shy smile in Jamie’s hair, but Sebastian had seen it. Was Neil thinking about quitting his horrible job? Or helping someone else with their business, which he seemed to love? Either way, it made Sebastian feel warm inside to see him happy.

Was being too perfect a warning sign?

His mind filled in all the what-ifs. What if Neil lost interest? What if Neil started acting like Henri had? What if Sebastian couldn’t be enough for him?

Sebastian brought Jamie his coffee and claimed a kiss from both boys. Could he see himself waking up every morning this way? To quiet conversations in the kitchen and snuggly kisses? To Neil’s glowing eyes thanking him for bringing him coffee? To watching Jamie tease Neil until the older boy affectionately teased him back?

It was all too easy to imagine.

Jamie pushed his coffee back and started rifling through the folders that Neil had left on the counter.