Page 37 of He is Poison

“You are an excellentcook. What the hell were you doing in communication studies?”

“I… I suppose Fatherwouldn’t be happy to see his son becoming a professional cook.” Seth consideredtasting his creation himself, but in the end, he fed Dom again. The look onthat handsome face was worth it. And, oh God, Domenico actually leaned onSeth’s shoulder.

“Men are the best chefs.You have great potential.”

“Well, we both know Iwon’t be doingthat. I’ll be seeing a different kind of red sauceinstead.” Seth hesitated but stroked the silk of Dom’s hair and fed him anotherforkful.

“It’s a shitperspective, isn’t it?” Domenico put his hand across Seth’s back and held himcloser as he ate. A strand of spaghetti left a red splash on his chin, makinghim look like a hungry baby.

Seth really didn’t wantto bethat guy. The guy who cleans their partner’s face with a napkin,but he couldn’t bear to look at it. They only had a kitchen towel at hand, sohe used its corner to rub the sauce off Dom’s chin. “Things change.”

“Like what you had withthat... wifey of yours?” asked Domenico without a trace of mockery.

“Yeah. Like that. I knewwhat I had with him.” The 'had' slipped out on its own but was a truthfulindicator of the situation. Seth would never get back together with Peter.

Domenico nodded and tookthe fork out of Seth’s hand, swirling the pasta around it. “You should tell himit’s over. That’s only fair.”

Seth frowned and slouchedin his seat. “I know. I haven’t been single in a long time.”

The ball of deliciousspaghetti Dom held up to his mouth wasn’t enough of a comfort. “I know, but atleast it’s you leaving him. No drama, or sleepless nights for you.”

Seth shook his head but atethe pasta. “It’s not easy to hurt someone,” he muttered with his mouth full,but then looked to Dom. “Not that you would know.”

Domenico blinked, andhis eyes lost the playful glimmer. “You’re one to talk. He was so much smaller,weaker than you, but that didn’t stop you from hurting him. Do you think you’redoing him a favor now?”

Seth lost his appetite.He hadn’t asked for problems with Peter. Stuff just happened, tensions werehigh and fists flew. He never said they were the perfect couple. “Well, you’renot perfect either so get off my back. I’ll call him.”

“All right. I like a manwith balls.” Domenico ate more pasta, unaffected by the exchange. “And youcertainly need a man with balls, too.”

“You have no idea what Ineed.” Seth leaned back in his chair. He didn’t want to break up with Peterover the phone.

“You do. You know youdo. If you get together with another spineless dolly, it’s gonna fall apart aswell,” said Domenico, poking him in the chest.

“So what? I’m supposedto put up with you instead?” Seth frowned at him. Dom could possibly be a goodfuck once he got his attitude in check, but definitely not a good partner. “IfI meet a guy I want to be with, I’ll know.”

Domenico pulled Sethcloser with one arm and lifted the bowl of pasta. “You don’t know what youwant. The fact that you aren’t doingthisprofessionally means justthat.”

“And you always knowwhat you want? Give me a break.” Seth sighed and looked down at the spaghetti.

“No one knows it all thetime," said Domenico. His thumb was making lazy circles on Seth’s nape.

“I sure as hell don’tknow what you want from me. One moment you’re bitching at me and the nextyou’re all tender like a fucking chicken breast.”

Domenico scowled.“Really? Have you just compared me to something as common as a chicken breast?”

“Oh, I forgot you’resospecial. Proud, handsome, keeping everything under control. A bit like acock,right?” Seth raised his eyebrows with a smirk.

“I think I’m somethingexotic, but not endangered.”

Seth couldn’t believethe attitude of this guy. “You are so full of yourself.” He got up from thechair with a sigh.

“I’m observant. You onthe other hand should train to be a chef. This is amazing.” Domenico leanedover the bowl and started shoveling the rest of the pasta into his mouth.

“You’re handsome, butthat’s about it.” Seth shook his head as he watched his lunch disappear. Hedidn’t want to talk about cooking, since he would never be doing more. No onecared what he wanted.

“Fucking charming. Nowcall your ex.”

Seth groaned and pickedup the cell phone. There was no way to avoid this. He still knew Peter’s numberby heart.