Page 13 of One More Yule Log

“Maybe we’ll pick a different color scheme, kiddo.” Ben nodded at her plate. “More eating.”

“Yes, sir. I like the casserole. You did good.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I sure tried.” Ben winked over. “Simple but good, right?”

“Definitely yummy,” Gray offered. “Thanks again.”

“Thank you for coming over. We haven’t had company in a bit.”

“Like forever!”

Gray laughed. “I’m honored.”

It wasn’t bullshit, either. He felt like he’d been let into a rarefied world, a special relationship. These two were a force to be reckoned with and a pair of people against the rest of the world.

He had to admit, he was fascinated. Intrigued.

“So. What are your other favorite things to eat, Olivia?”

“Fried chicken. Mashed potatoes. Peanut butter cookies.”

“Oh, I love peanut butter cookies.”

“God, me too.” Ben rolled his eyes and smacked his lips, and suddenly he knew what to bring the man the next time he saw him.

“What about you, Gray? What’s your favorite food?”

“Hmmm. I love carrot cake. Enchiladas. Snails.”

“Ew!” Olivia wrinkled her nose.

“Do you like mushrooms?” he asked her.

“They’re okay. Not great unless Daddy makes them.”

“Ah. Well, then, you might think snails are ew. They have a funk.”

“Have you had them, Daddy?”

Ben shook his head. “But I’d try. I’ll try any food because it’s important to try new things.”

“Well, maybe sometime I can make them. Along with a few other things we know you like, so you can try.” He was shamelessly planning more dates with this family.

“I’d love that.” Ben sipped his wine. “My favorite food is enchiladas, followed closely by chili and anything with olives.”

“Mexican night!” Olivia sang.

He laughed. “We do seem to have that in common.”

“We’ll have to share recipes—you make me yours one night, then I’ll make you mine?”

Oh. Oh, when Ben said it that way… That made it sound like anything was possible. This was crazy.

“That sounds perfect.”

“Yeah. It does.”

He beamed at Ben. He wanted to spend more time with the man desperately, and he was so tickled they were matching up desires.