Page 27 of The Great Maple Mistake (Love in Maplewood #8)

He says it like if it was in the gossip column it must be true.

Groaning, I pick up the fake syrup and drizzle it over my pancakes.

Thank god for high fructose corn syrup. “I promise. It’s all a big mistake.

I don’t like maple, but I’m not allergic to it.

Rae from the Rocktogenarians misunderstood me, and before I could correct her, it was already spreading like wildfire. ”

Alex nods, grinning at his dad. “Now the whole town thinks he’s allergic. It’s actually sort of funny.”

“Except it’s really not.” I try to be as nice as I can, but I really want him to understand why.

“People are going out of their way to accommodate an allergy I don’t have.

They’re inconveniencing themselves for me.

” I look at Luke and Graham. “I feel really guilty about it, but no one will listen to me.”

Graham shakes his head. “This is so Maplewood. And the only thing you can do is ride it out and keep telling people you’re not allergic.” He winces. “I don’t envy you, though.”

I hold up the store syrup. “But thanks for this, Luke. I really appreciate it.”

We all dig in, and for a few minutes, the only sounds in the kitchen are forks and knives on plates. Then Graham breaks the silence. “Alex, how’s the prep coming for the cook-off? Do you need any help?”

Alex shakes his head. “No, but thanks. The committee has it under control. You’re coming, though, right?”

Graham’s head jerks back a little and his brow furrows. “Of course I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss your big festival. And Luke is competing.” Graham gives Luke’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Cody, how was the calendar photo shoot?”

I glance up from my plate, surprised at the change of subject. “Oh, it was good.” I grin at Alex. “Lots of fun. And it was a blast sharing the spotlight with Tux, my new kitten.”

“Did you guys hear how Cody rescued him and his siblings?” Alex shoves his last slice of bacon in his mouth and sits back in his chair, cradling his mug of coffee.

Eyes wide, Luke leans in. “Yeah, I read about it in Maplewood Matters. Did you get homes for all of them?”

I nod. “Yeah. I took Tux, of course, because he’s the cutest.” Alex snorts, and I elbow him.

“Shush, you know I’m right. Gabe Winslow took one of the boy kittens for his daughter Ellie.

Jason Zervudachi took another of the boy kittens, but I think he was giving it to his boyfriend, Bellamy.

Finn took the one that was sick to nurse her back to health, and after she was better, he just kept her.

I think maybe he gave her to Charlie. Or Drake?

I’m not sure. And the final one went to the chief, who wanted her for the firehouse. He named her Cinder.”

Graham pushes his plate away and leans forward, resting his crossed arms on the table. “Did they find out what started the fire at the warehouse or who put the kittens in the dumpster?”

I rub my neck and wince sheepishly. “I can’t really talk about the details of the fire.

It’s still under investigation. But I can tell you that they caught the guy who dumped the kittens!

Guess he was ruled out as a suspect in the fire.

Someone recognized the pickup truck in the security footage as belonging to a former employee.

Investigators went to his house to ask some questions, and when his girlfriend found out why the police were there, she started crying and screaming because he’d told her that he gave the kittens away to a cousin.

I guess it was a whole scene. Anyway, the police told her the kittens were safe and in good homes, and she calmed down, but I heard she threw her boyfriend out and told him to get lost. I don’t blame her.

Anyone who could do that to defenseless kittens isn’t someone I’d trust.”

Alex nods. “Especially when there are plenty of people who want kittens.”

We silently sip our coffees, each thinking our own thoughts. Then in an abrupt change of subject, Luke scratches his chin and surveys the table of dirty dishes. “Glad I’m not cleaning up.” He pushes away from the table and stands, grinning at Alex. “Think I’ll go take a shower.”

Alex flips him off but doesn’t seem upset. “Yeah, yeah. I know. You cooked, I clean.” He waves him away. “Go. De-stench yourself.”

“Okay, pot.” He walks around the table to stand between me and Alex. “At least I don’t smell like sex at the breakfast table.”

Blushing, Alex flips him off again. “You’re just jealous.”

Luke nods. “You know it. Everyone in this house has been celibate for far too long.” I raise my eyebrow at that because as I pointed out to them earlier, the three of them are hot as fuck.

Luke grabs Alex’s and my shoulders and gives them a squeeze.

“Seriously, I’m happy for you guys. Cody, I like you.

You seem like a good guy. Be good to my brother so I don’t have to kick your ass. ”

Alex groans but leans into Luke. There’s even a hint of a smile on his lips. “Finn already gave him the shovel speech.”

Graham shoves his chair back and stands, clapping his hands together once.

“Good. That means I don’t have to.” He points at me.

“Hurt my son, and I’ll have to kick your ass.

So please don’t, because I know the level of fitness firefighters need to be in, and I’m not sure I’m up to that.

” Graham stares me down for all of three seconds, then grins.

“Seriously though, I’m happy for you both.

I’m sure we’ll be seeing you around, Cody.

But I have to get changed and head over to Luke and Alex’s mom’s house. ”

At almost the same time, Alex and Luke ask, “Why?” and “What for?”

Graham grabs his plate and carries it to the sink. “I’m helping Rob install a back patio for your mom. I’m assuming she’ll be there to supervise, unless she has some committee meeting. You know your mom. She has to be involved in everything.”

Luke makes a disgruntled sound. “Why didn’t she ask me for help? I do that kind of stuff for a living.”

Graham shrugs. “Maybe that’s exactly why. She didn’t want to make you do work on your day off.”

“That’s ridiculous. If you wait until I shower, I’ll go with you.”

Graham nods. “Deal.” He turns to us. “See you guys later.” He and Luke head upstairs.

I push my chair back and stand, collecting the remaining dishes into a stack. “Guess that leaves us with dish duty.”

Alex grabs the glasses and silverware, and I follow him over to the sink.

“This won’t take long. We’ll put most of these into the dishwasher, hand wash the pans, and be back upstairs in fifteen minutes.

” He opens the dishwasher and loads in the glasses.

“Any chance you can stay for a bit?” He meets my gaze, eyes sparkling with the good kind of mischief.

I shake my head. “Unfortunately, no. I need to get home and check on Tux, do some laundry, and see if Aunt Viv needs my help with anything before my shift tomorrow.” I drop the dirty silverware into the dishwasher basket as Alex runs a sinkful of soapy water. “What are you going to do today?”

“Probably go for a run since Finn and I bailed on it this morning.”

I don’t remind him that he’s the one who canceled the morning run.

Though I’m far from complaining about that.

Waking up with Alex snuggled against me is my new favorite way to wake up.

I close the dishwasher and grab a dish towel, drying the pans as Alex finishes washing and rinsing them.

He wipes off the counters and the table, drains the sink, and we’re done.

I glance at the clock on the oven. “Fourteen minutes. You’re almost spot on. ”

He takes my hand and leads me back to the third floor. I find my shirt and pull it on, then sit on the edge of the bed to pull on my socks and boots. “So when can I see you again?”

He plops down next to me on the bed, making the mattress bounce a bit. “You tell me. You’re the one with the irregular schedule.” He puts his hand on my thigh and looks me in the eyes. “Not that it bothers me. I just meant it’s not a typical eight-to-five, Monday through Friday job.”

“You sure it doesn’t bother you? The schedule’s a lot to get used to.” It’s been the cause of many breakups for other firefighters.

Alex shakes his head. “No. Really. It doesn’t bother me.

I have to work weekend festivals and cover any big events whenever they happen.

Those don’t always stick to a typical forty-hour work week either.

But of the two of us, you have a more regularly irregular schedule, so you tell me when you want to do something. ”

I nudge his shoulder with mine. “Okay. Fair enough. Have anything in particular you’d like to do?

” He shakes his head. “Okay, well, something I’ve been wanting to do since I moved here is go to the farmers’ market.

I think it’s next Saturday. Right?” Alex nods.

“And I’m off. How about that?” Alex looks a bit down at the suggestion, which is disappointing, but I guess I could go some other time on my own. “We can do something else if you want.”

“No, I like hanging out there. We can go early, and I’ll bring my camera. I always get great candid shots there. But do we have to wait all week to see each other again?”

I’m relieved he wants to go with me to the farmers’ market, and more than a little happy that he can’t wait to see me again.

I wrap him in my arms and kiss him soundly on the lips.

“No. We don’t have to wait a week. How about I take you to dinner at Sparky’s on Tuesday?

That will give me time to recover from the shift and catch up with Aunt Viv. ”

Alex grins and hugs me tightly. “That sounds great. And we can text each other between now and then.”

“Sure. And if you’re bored, and we’re not out on a call, you can stop by the firehouse and say hi. As long as you don’t mind a little ribbing from the crew.”

His eyes widen, and he nods quickly. “Yeah. That would be great.”

“Okay, then it’s a date.”

Alex laughs. “Two dates.”

I nod. “Two dates. With my boyfriend. My gorgeous boyfriend.”

Alex grins. “ My gorgeous boyfriend.”

I let him have this one because I know the truth, even if he won’t admit it. He’s the real deal. Perfect for me in every way. And I only have to wait two days to see him again. It’s going to feel like an eternity.