Page 17 of 27 Kisses

“Where are you?”

“My office. The couch is comfortable, and I can keep an eye on them.”

“Uh-huh. You’re there so your mother doesn’t snoop and move things around?”

He laughs, and I get lost in the sound of it. “There’s that. And it has alcohol.”

“Do you want to fool around?” Being several states apart gave us lots of practice. “I could boss you around.”

“I wish. But my parents are here, and I don’t have near enough alcohol.”

I push away my disappointment. Instead, I focus on my boyfriend. “I’m sorry, love.”

“My mother asked…” He lets out a frustrated scream. Half-scream. “She asked if I’d met a nice girl.”

“What did you tell her?”

“I reminded her I was gay. And there would never be a nice girl for me.”

“Did she ask about nice boys?”

“No. Just ‘That’s right. I forgot.’ You forgot your son’s sexuality?” His scream is muffled this time. Pillow, maybe? “This isn’t new. They were always more interested in whatever the girls were doing— Oh God. I’m sorry, Aidyn.”

The wave of sadness that hits me has nothing to do with Emily. I love Garrett. I want him to share stories of his life growing up. Stories about his parents. His sisters. Without the ghost of my wife between us. And that thought brings even more guilt.

Emily died too young. And being happy now feels almost like cheating. But she knew about Garrett’s feelings. She’d want us to be happy.

“Aidyn—”

“I’m fine, love. Go on.”

There’s a moment of silence, and I worry he’s going to drop it. “I’m just frustrated. They’ve taken over my house. My life. It’s driving me to drink, alone in my office, and worse than that…”

He hesitates, and I want to mention he’s not alone. But instead, I ask, “What’s worse than drinking alone in your office?”

“I might have to take time off work.”

Sixteen Days until Christmas

“Are you sick?” I ask Garrett as I hand him a menu. He scowls,and I hide my grin. His grumpiness doesn’t bother me. In fact, it has the opposite effect.

I was worried he wouldn’t appreciate the Advent calendar, and to be fair, he didn’t. But it’s turned into so much more. Getting to kiss him every day. Making time for each other. Saturday was a challenge. It’s the diner’s busiest day. And that’s when most weddings are held. So the kiss happened right before midnight. We met halfway and kissed under the cold December moon. Sunday, Garrett showed up at the diner just as I was taking my break. And Mondays are the easiest because the diner is closed. The eighth Advent kiss led to making out in the pantry until Ramon arrived to help with prep.

And now it’s Tuesday. We took advantage of our slow day with Advent kiss number nine in the hall by the back stairs. That was less than ten minutes ago, and I already miss kissing him.

It’s the lull between the lunch and dinner crowd, so the diner is mostly empty. Garrett and his parents are seated at a large table by the door. Are they expecting more?

“No. I’m not sick.”

I raise my brows. “You’re here early on a Tuesday.

“It’s three-thirty in the afternoon.”

“On a Tuesday.”

“You and Nat are both a riot. I left work early.”

I stop, still holding the last menu in my hand. “Are you okay?” This time, my question is serious.