Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
When I woke the next morning, I felt refreshed, like the night before never happened. Perhaps it was the sun beaming through the window, the fact I was snug in my bed, or the aroma of fresh coffee…wait a second.
I flung the covers back, shoved my feet into my slippers, and rushed down the stairs. I never set up my pot last night, choosing to grab coffee and bagels from Baha Bakery across from work this morning. It would be easier to tell Amber about what happened when she had carbs and coffee in hand.
I turned the corner ready to…I don’t know, when I came face to face with my parents and…
“Landry?”
“Good morning, Son.” My mother, a tiny woman with graying brown hair and twinkling green eyes, handed me my mug. She was plump and perfect and for a moment I got lost in her smile. It was the same smile that always reminded me I was loved.
“Morning, Mom.”
“Jason. Sleeping in today?” My father sat at the breakfast bar beside Landry who…why was he here?
“No. I don’t have to be in for another hour. Why are you all in my home?”
“You know how I’m up early, Son.” My dad shrugged.
“I went to collect my morning paper and I know your mom loves the croissants at that bakery by the shop. So, I went over there and saw a cop car in front of the shop. I asked the officer what was going on, told him who I was, and he mentioned there was a possible animal attack or whatever the word he used was.” He stopped talking like that explained everything.
“So you came here? With a stranger?” I gestured to Landry who was smiling and swiveling his head looking all around.
Mom giggled. “Your father said he bumped into him by the shop and Landry here said he was a new customer and was sorry to hear what happened. You know your father, Landry is new in town and well…” She shrugged.
“It’s too early for this. Thank you for the coffee, Mom. Dad, the shop is fine, just some animals likely knocking over trash bins so nothing to worry about, and, Landry, did you share with my parents how we really met?”
Landry stopped his perusal of my home when I said his name and smirked. “What’s there to tell? I asked for suits.”
I sighed and placed my mug down. “Dad, Mom, Landry here came into the shop demanding I make him suits but my calendar is full, so Amber explained I couldn’t, he got huffy, and then decided to ask me out to dinner.”
“How romantic.” My mother beamed.
“No, Mother, not romantic because I said no and—”
“Why’d you say no?” Dad’s brows furrowed and he placed a hand on Landry’s shoulder in what, support?
“Because he was being rude and then he threatened to stalk me until I said yes.”
“Persistent.” Mom winked at Landry. “My Martin was like that. Came to my house every day asking to court me when I was in school.”
“What the hell,” I whispered under my breath. “Mom, no, not good. I had to threaten to call the police if Landry didn’t leave.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Do you have an alligator?”
Landry snorted out a laugh. “Pardon? No, why would you ask that?”
I shook my head. “Nothing, never mind. Look, I’m fine, now if you could all leave, I need to get ready for work. Mom, Dad, I’ll stop by after we close and answer any other questions you have.”
“Lovely, I’ll make lasagna.” She clapped her hands together. “Landry, why don’t you come too.”
“Mom!”
“I’d love to.”
We both spoke at the same time.
“What part of he’s a stalker did you not understand?”
“Fine, Son.” My dad faced Landry. “I think you’re a fine fella, but you’re scaring my son. Can I ask what your intentions are?”
I couldn’t believe this. I was a grown man.
“I admit I came on strong with Jason. He truly is the best tailor and designer in the area and I only pick the best of everything.”
Dad and Mom both smiled, clearly taken in by the man.
“When he told me no I was upset, but admired his fire and was attracted, so I figured if I couldn’t get him to make my suits perhaps I could get to know the man instead. I didn’t mean to frighten him.”
“See.” Mom motioned toward Landry. “Persistent and romantic.”
Fuck my whole life.
“Jason.” Landry stood and approached me how one might a frightened kitten. “I’m deeply sorry for my overzealous approach. I respect you can’t design my suits, but I did mean it when I asked you to dinner to get to know you. I so hope you’ll reconsider.”
Over his shoulder I could see my parents nodding and gesturing for me to accept. I was lucky they never even blinked when I told them I was gay and neither of them ever bugged me to settle down.
“You can come to my parents’ tonight for lasagna, that’s all I’m promising.”
“Wonderful.” He winked and spun to face my parents. “What time should I arrive?”
I left them to iron out the details and went upstairs to get ready for my day. A day that was sure to be insane and horrifically memorable.
When I came downstairs it was quiet and I breathed a sigh of relief that they’d all left. I grabbed my coat, since March was chilly…gotta love the northeast, and locked up.
I was halfway to my car when I stopped dead in my tracks. Landry was leaning against his own car, not the Rolls Royce from the day before but something ridiculously expensive. I wasn’t a car person.
“Stalking?”
He chuckled. “No, I just wanted to make sure we were ok. I would like to start over.” He held out his hand. “Hello, I’m Landry Astor, a spoiled brat who likes to get his way but is always intrigued with those who have the balls to tell me no.”
I smirked and shook his hand. “I’m Jason McPherson, not a brat but loves to tell pompous asses no.”
His hands were nice, no knicks from pins, no callouses, manicured and lovely. When we parted his smile was warm.
“If you’d rather I not come for dinner, I’ll respect that.”
A part of me wanted to say please don’t come but then I thought of how my mom would tell me I was being rude.
“No, it’s fine really.”
“I’ll accept that as a genuine answer.” He walked around to the front of his car. “See you later…alligator.”
“Is that a joke because I asked if you owned one?”
He shrugged and silently got into his car.
I watched until he was out of sight, cursed at myself, and made my way to the shop.