Page 79 of A Thousand Cuts

Fix smothered his laugh and started the truck, pulling out onto the empty streets. “So, do you have any allergies or foods you don’t like?”

“No,” Liam said. “I like most foods.”

“Most,” Fix repeated. “But not all?”

“I don’t like overly spicy things. Or eggs.”

“Eggs? What’s wrong with eggs?”

“They taste of…eggs.” Liam frowned when he couldn’t find a way to explain it. “But only sometimes. And it’s hard to guess when it’ll happen so I just don’t eat them.”

Fix took a right turn and chuckled. “I have no idea what that means. But no eggs is easy enough.”

“I’m good with eggs in cake,” Liam said quickly, turning to look at him again.

“Hmm. That works out perfectly then.”

He almost felt Liam’s frown. “Why?”

“Because I'm great at baking.”

“You are?” Liam asked in shock.

“Does it not look that way? Do I not give off master baker vibes?” Fix teased, glancing over to him.

Liam huffed over a small laugh, clearly trying to cover it and turned his gaze forward. “No comment.”

It was bratty again, a hint of Liam’s personality peeking through and showing he was comfortable. It was all Fix wanted. For Liam to be himself and enjoy his time with Fix unbothered by anything else.

“Here we are,” he said, pulling into a spot and killing the engine. He hopped out, the ground slick from rain under his boots. He glanced up at the night sky and hoped that was the last of it.

When he looked back down he saw Liam reaching for the door handle on his side and ran to open it for him. Liam gave him asurprised but pleased look as he held it open, took his jacket off Liam’s lap, and offered his hand to help him out.

Liam took it daintily, hopping out only to slip. He went careening into Fix, wrapping his arms around his shoulders to keep himself steady.

Fix helped him regain his balance with a sure arm around his waist, hoisting him up and holding him against his body. He looked down to see if Liam was okay and found their faces were only inches apart, fogged breaths mingling between their lips, a few strands of Liam’s hair tickling Fix’s face.

Liam was berry colored, staring at a spot on Fix’s nose as his feet dangled off the ground. Fix allowed himself to lean in and kiss his forehead, before he set him firmly on his feet, wrapping his jacket around his shoulders. Liam bloomed beautifully under the attention, lowering his head to the collar and inhaling deeply.

“It smells nice,” he murmured.

Fix smiled as he locked the truck. “I like seeing it on you.” He kept the fact that he couldn’t wait to smell Liam’s scent mixed with his own on the jacket after he returned it to himself. “Ready?”

“Mm-hmm,” Liam hummed, a little coy, letting Fix take his soft hand and lead him inside.

The place was relatively empty since it was so late, but there were some stragglers occupying a few booths. It was tiny and worn down, but still clean and comfortable. Warm, with dark wooden tables and chairs, dark green tablecloths and upholstery, and a small staff wearing matching red uniforms. A jukebox powered by a simple spell shuffled through music at random.

It was adorably vintage. Fix loved it.

He led Liam to one of the open booths and directed him to sit on the inside, taking the edge to keep him safe from potentialweird guests this late at night. He knew Liam noticed, but he didn’t say anything. Fix pulled one of the menus already on the table closer and slid it over to Liam.

“Take a look,” he said.

Liam opened it, scanning it with a furrowed brow before pushing it toward Fix with a hopeful spark he couldn’t conceal. “You said you come here often. Maybe you can suggest something for me?”

“I’d love to.” Fix tried hard to stop himself from beating his chest like a caveman.

Liam trusted him. He wanted him to make a decision for him. Fix wanted to jump right out of his skin but he was finally feeling like he fit inside it just right. With the right boy by his side he could finally be the daddy he’d always wanted to be for someone.