Chapter Nine
While Alex got dinner ready, Joshua hurried to the bathroom, in need of a mirror. He knew Alex wouldn’t let him look a mess in front of a stranger, but he had to check. One glance told him all was well, thank goodness. That didn’t stop him from washing his face, however.
When he walked into the kitchen, the air was redolent with the aroma of cheese and garlic. He sniffed up, and his belly rumbled its appreciation.
Alex laughed. “Looks like I’m not the only one who’s hungry. It won’t be long.” His phone vibrated its way across the countertop, and he grabbed it before it dropped off the edge. He smiled. “Manda’s on her way.” Then he chuckled. “Oh dear Lord, she’s bringing booze again.”
“Manda. Short for Amanda?”
Alex shook her head. “Apparently, Manda is a traditional girl’s name among the Cheyenne. I guess this is where I mention that she’s Native American, on her grandmother’s side. Manda and I go back a long way.”
The affection in Alex’s voice was heartwarming. Obviously he cared deeply for his friend. “Listen, would you like me to go? I mean, if Manda’s coming to stay, you’ll wanna spend time with her, right?”
Alex frowned. “No! I mean, yes, I’ll get to spend time with her, but no, I don’t want you to go.
And I already told her about you being here, two days ago when we last spoke.
” He shook his head. “You’re okay. You can say no to the tequila, because you’re driving.
Whereas I have no excuse.” He winced. “I’m still getting over my hangover from the last time she stayed here.
” The oven pinged. “And that’s dinner ready.
I’ll plate hers up, and leave it warming in there.
Not that she’ll be long, judging by her text.
” Alex inclined his head toward the sink.
“Could you pour us two glasses of water?”
“Sure.” Joshua did as instructed, and it wasn’t long before he was sitting down at Alex’s kitchen table to a plate full of mac and cheese, with bits of bacon here and there, and garlic bread that made his stomach grumble even more.
One forkful was sheer heaven, and he groaned aloud. “My God, you can cook.”
Alex’s smile reached his eyes, the lines on his cheeks and around his eyes deepening. “Thanks. I’ll teach you how to make this too.”
Joshua sighed. “Micah’s pretty handy in the kitchen, but he can’t get his mac and cheese to taste like his mom’s. This is… damn good.”
“I think that counts as high praise.”
For the next few minutes, no one spoke, and that was just fine by Joshua.
He’d really enjoyed the evening so far, and was intrigued to meet Manda.
Besides, the silence gave him an excuse to study his host. He’d figured Alex was close to his age, but how far off, he couldn’t be sure.
The lines around and under Alex’s eyes gave an impression of a man worn down by life, as did the vertical lines on his forehead.
But my God, those eyes… Joshua liked the fact that Alex’s lips weren’t thin: that was something he always associated with meanness, and that didn’t fit with what he knew of Alex.
His mustache and beard were a sandy brown color, except for those bits that were grey at the chin.
It gave Alex a distinguished, sexy look.
Sexy?
Joshua smiled to himself. Okay. I can admit it.
Alex is sexy as hell. It wasn’t as if it was the first time he’d found a guy attractive, right?
What came to mind were the times he and Rachel had been out together, and a gorgeous man crossed their path.
Joshua had made no secret about the fact that he was admiring the guy, but then neither did Rachel.
It became kind of an inside joke between them, that they could both look but couldn’t touch.
Joshua loved that they had been open and secure with their relationship, and he thanked God every day for the woman at his side.
Until God apparently decided he wanted her back.
“Joshua?”
He blinked. “Sorry. Must’ve zoned out there for a sec.”
Alex smiled. “You looked like you were miles away. I only asked if you wanted some more. There’s plenty.” Joshua simply held out his plate with a grin, and Alex laughed. “I guess you really do like it.”
“Hey, I wasn’t just being polite. And I love the crust you put on it.”
“That’s just breadcrumbs mixed with grated cheese.
I pop it under the broiler until it’s brown and crispy.
” Alex cocked his head and smiled. “Manda’s here.
” He got up from the table to let her in, and that was the moment Joshua’s nerves chose to make an appearance too.
He tried to continue eating throughout the muffled conversation, then stood up as a woman with long, dark brown hair, and eyes that were almost black, walked slowly over to greet him.
She wore jeans and a soft-looking denim shirt, her feet encased in…
Joshua grinned. “I’m guessing you’re a Snoopy fan.”
Manda glanced down to her bright red socks, covered in little Snoopys.
“Hey, come on, not liking Snoopy is a symptom of a deeper problem.” She gave him a tired smile.
“Hello, Joshua. Alex told me a little about you. Not enough, I might add, so I’ll be asking questions later, but right now I really need a drink. ”
There was a catch in her voice, a tightness around the eyes, and a smile that didn’t sit right. “Are you okay?” Joshua pulled out a chair for her. “Sit down. I’ll get your dinner.”
He went over to the oven, and using the mitts, removed the covered plate. By the time he returned to the table, Alex had already poured her a drink, which she downed in one gulp, before gesturing for another.
“Hey, easy,” Alex said softly. “Eat something first?”
Joshua placed the plate in front of her. “Here. You must be hungry.”
Manda looked from him to Alex, and tears glistened in her eyes. “Great. Two guys being nice to me, and what do I do? Blubber like a baby.”
Alex sat in the chair beside her and put his arm around her shoulders. “Hey,” he crooned softly. Joshua handed her a napkin, which she used to wipe her eyes.
“I’ll be fine. It’s just been a bitch of a day, that’s all. Two days, actually.”
“And you can tell us all about it—after you’ve eaten. Besides, if you’re gonna drink like a fish, you need something substantial lining your stomach, and trust me, my mac and cheese is perfect for the job.” Alex grinned. “They don’t come more substantial.”
Manda snorted. “You make that sound like a bad thing. Whereas we both know when you die and go to heaven, your mac and cheese will be on the menu. I’ll be watching from hell, drooling.” She picked up a fork and took a mouthful, her eyes rolling. “Damn. I always forget how good that first taste is.”
Joshua got up and poured her a glass of water. “Water now. Booze later.”
Manda chuckled and glanced at Alex. “Okay, I like him.”
Joshua retook his seat and ate his second helping, while Alex unwrapped the garlic bread he had warming in the oven. He sliced it up and brought it to the table. “Because you know how much you love my garlic bread.”
“Yeah—now I do.” Manda turned to Joshua. “However, the first time he made it? He used a whole head of garlic.”
Joshua gaped. “Oh my God. Well, you were safe from vampires, I guess.”
“We were safe from people, period. No one came near us for days.” Manda gazed fondly at Alex. “You got better, thank God.”
“How long have you two been friends?” Joshua asked between bites.
“Since we were nineteen. We met in college.”
Joshua blinked. “Wow. Then you most certainly do not look your age.” There wasn’t one single streak of grey hair among the fine strands of dark, glossy brown, and her skin was flawless.
Alex coughed and muttered, “Hair dye.” Manda dug him in the ribs with her elbow, giving him a mock glare that didn’t fool Joshua for an instant.
“Don’t forget, I know where you’re sleeping tonight,” she said, her gaze narrowed. Alex merely chuckled. Manda shook her head. “And to think I made you my blood brother….”
“Seriously?” Joshua laughed.
Manda nodded. “We were twenty, and—”
“And drunk,” Alex interjected. “Don’t forget the drunk part.”
“Who’s telling this story anyway?” She glared at him again, before turning to Joshua. “So, yeah, we were drunk one night, and I did the whole cutting-the-palm thing with our friend here. Not too deep a cut, because one of us would’ve fainted, and it wouldn’t have been me.” She beamed triumphantly.
“Hey!” Alex said indignantly.
Manda merely stared at him. “If you can give away my secrets, I can give away yours.” Alex muttered under his breath.
Joshua loved how they interacted. They were obviously two people who knew each other really well.
“Anyhoo, I still have the scar to prove it. Those were good times.” Manda sighed, a faraway look in her eyes.
“If only I’d known back then….” Joshua gave her a puzzled look, and she smiled.
“The same old story. The one that got away.” He glanced toward Alex, and Manda laughed out loud.
“God, no. Not Alex. Although he did leave a trail of broken hearts through college.”
Alex laughed. “Sure.”
Manda snorted. “Oh, come on. All those girls, hoping to be the one to make you see ‘straight’?” She air-quoted. “Like they ever had a chance, poor delusional creatures. And then when Todd came on the scene, Game Over.”
“Todd?” Joshua gazed at her inquiringly.
“My ex,” Alex explained. “The one who hated to cook.”
Joshua tried to take in this new information. Alex… is gay? Except judging by the way Alex’s face tightened, this wasn’t a good topic of conversation, and Joshua hastily beat a retreat.
“So, who was the one that got away?” He focused on Manda.
“Darrell. Talk about head-over-heels. I think he’d have proposed, if I hadn’t messed it up.” Manda took another mouthful of food.
“What happened?”
She swallowed and tapped her chest. “Stupid here wanted a career in journalism. Thought having a husband and a family could wait.” Her face fell, and Alex covered her hand with his.