Page 54 of Manny Included

The kids were home, and there were activities constantly.Swimming and dancing, camps and playing—busy, busy, busy, which was good.

Even Bay was busy.

But Pete’s heart was still hurt.He was still sad and he still missed everybody, and he didn’t know what to say when people asked him questions.

He didn’t know anything except that he was raising these kids, and that, sometimes, Bay came to his bed, they had sex, and then Bay left.

It was a weird existence.

Tonight was an adult meal night.Bay had promised he’d take care of supper and asked if they could watch something fun and easy, but that otherwise it was his choice.They hadn’t had one of their adult dinner nights since the kids had finished school.

He’d chosen the Dungeon and Dragons movie.It was the absolutely definition of fun and easy.

Bay came downstairs, shaking his head.“Four stories.She was just not wanting to go to sleep.”

“She knows that her Bay is wanting some alone time.”

“Not alone time.Time with Pete.”

Pete blinked, then glanced up at him and nodded.

Bay glanced at his phone and smiled.“That’s dinner.Be right back.”

“Okay.”Time with Pete.

Wow.

That made him a little shivery.

Bay came back with two bags worth of food.“Chinese.And everything looked good so I ordered a lot.Figured we could enjoy the leftovers later.”

“Oh wow!”He never thought about Chinese, and he just loved it.

Bay looked very pleased by his reaction.“I’m glad I made a good choice.”

“It smells amazing.Seriously.”His belly was snarling.

“Then let’s eat.”Bay proceeded to take box after box out of the bags.“Let’s see how I really did.What’s your favourite dish?”

“Sweet and sour chicken.Fried rice.Oh, kung pao chicken…”

“Ta-da!Ta-da!And Ta-da!”With each ta-da Bay put a container in front of him.

“Oh my god!Look at all this!”He applauded, so tickled.

“My favourites are General Tso’s, soft egg noodles and the crab thingies.”

“Oh, crab rangoon.”

“Yeah, that’s it.I can eat those by the bucketful.”

“I would tell you I’d make them for you, but I have no idea how.Asian food is not my forte as far as cooking goes.I think I do best with Italian, like lasagna.Maybe I could say I do best with casseroles.”God, he was boring.

“You manage to make dinner for six most nights, and we’re a little bit picky.Some of us more than others.”

He smiled at Bay.His cheeks were flushed, and he said, “This is an amazing feast, and I’m tickled.Let’s dig in.”He wasn’t sure if he should move closer or pat the seat next to him, so he didn’t do either.

Still, Bay came over and sat next to him on the couch, giving him a warm smile.