Page 113 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

“Stop.” Draco gulped and looked at the tomato. “Don’t touch anything else. I’ll handle the salad. Go… disinfect yourself.”

Sawyer grinned and went down the hall to the bathroom where Draco kept a well-stocked first aid kit. As much fun as he had teasing Draco, he wasn’t completely heartless. After unwrapping the paper towels from his finger and throwing them away, he washed his hands thoroughly before pouring some disinfectant over the small cut.

Once he’d dabbed some ointment on it and covered it with a Band-Aid, he tugged on one of the hospital-style blue gloves Draco kept stocked in the house and returned to the kitchen.

He tossed the tomato in the trash, put the cutting board and knife in the dishwasher, and then started over again with a clean knife and board. Luckily for them, Draco stocked up on produce at the farmer’s market so they had another tomato ready and waiting for the salad. He wouldn’t even pretend it was the same one to try to gross Draco out. Because he was a good friend like that.

Draco came back inside with a now empty platter and eyed Sawyer’s set-up suspiciously. He only swallowed nervously once, a personal record, then rinsed the platter and loaded it into the dishwasher as well. He disinfected the sink and his hands before moving to Sawyer’s side.

“Yes, I’m clean. Yes, everything else is clean, too. I promise.”

Draco nodded and squeezed Sawyer’s shoulder in thanks. It took everything in him not to turn into Draco’s arms and wrap him up in a hug. He’d tried a few times to initiate a little more touch between them but Draco had shied away each time.

“I was thinking about making an apple cake for the neighbors,” Draco said.

“You mean, you were thinking about making an apple cake for me. That’s what you meant to say, right?”

“Sure. That’s what I meant.”

“You know that’s my favorite,” Sawyer said with a pout. Not that Draco hadn’t learned years ago to guard himself against Sawyer’s puppy-eyes. They were deadly if you weren’t immune. Which sadly, both Draco and his brothers were.

“I know,” Draco said.

“And you’d just give it away? Like a heartless creature who had no heart?”

Draco grinned and adjusted his glasses. “I might have enough supplies to make two.”

Sawyer grinned happily and finished chopping the last of the veggies. “I’ll peel if you mix?”

“Deal. I’ve gotta go check on the chicken. Preheat the oven for me?”