Chapter 27
Talon
“Does Eloise know I’m coming?” Zeke asks when we get home.
“No. I wanted to talk to you before I mentioned it to her, Lukas, or my parents,” I tell him. “But she’ll be so excited. Let’s call her on FaceTime to tell her the good news.”
Zeke’s genuine smile melts my heart. Since Eloise is one of my favorite people in the world, it’s important to me that they get along. Knowing they truly adore one another confirms that this is the right choice.
Zeke is the right choice.
Sitting on barstools next to each other still feels like too much distance. I can’t stay away from my boyfriend, and I lean in to kiss his cheek while we wait for Eloise to answer.
When her face fills the screen, my lips are still on Zeke’s cheek.
“I suspected this was coming at some point,” she says with a smile. “Hello, boys.”
“Hi,” Zeke says, his cheeks turning a gorgeous shade of crimson.
“Figured I’d break the ice with you since you sort of recognized what was happening before I did,” I tell my sister.
“I’m happy for you, Tal. And for you, Zeke. You guys make an extremely handsome couple.”
“I’m glad you think so because I’m bringing him home with me,” I tell my sister, dropping the second bomb of the conversation…or maybe it’s the third?
Zeke and I hold our breath as we wait for her answer. If I thought it was going to be anything other than bright-eyed enthusiasm, I was wrong.
“Ohmygod, yes! I can’t wait to do Fifth Ave. with you, Zeke. You’re going to absolutely love it!”
“I’m pretty sure I’m going to love all of it,” he says, smiling into the phone. “Why don’t I give you guys a minute to catch up? I’m going to go start a load of clothes.” He kisses me on the cheek, hops off his barstool, and says goodbye to Eloise before disappearing from the room.
“So, you’re really going for it, huh?” Eloise says, taking a sip from the mug in her hands.
“We’re really going for it,” I confirm. “How pissed do you think Mom and Dad are going to be?” I ask, propping the phone against a basket on the counter.
“I don’t think they’ll be pissed. Not about you being bisexual, at least. I think they might have some feelings about him being an employee, and you know, not knowing what a Roth IRA is, but I guess we’ll find out when you guys arrive,” she says.
“And Lukas?” I ask. Eloise purses her lips. “What’s that face for?”
“Luke’s just been stressed lately. With you gone, more has fallen on his plate, both of ours actually, but that’s the way it’s always been.
I just think with the new baby, he’s overwhelmed.
You know Luke; he won’t ask for help even if he needs it.
Instead, he’ll just get snippy and bite the heads off everyone around him. ”
I laugh because she nailed it.
“I just love Zeke so much; I’m eager for everyone else to feel the same way I do.”
Eloise’s eyes grow wide as her body goes still.
“Holy shit. What did you just say?” she asks, leaning toward the phone.
I think back over my last statement.
“Oh.” Wow, that just slipped right out. That’s how natural loving Zeke feels.
“Have you told him?”
“I hadn’t even told me.” I laugh.
“It sounds like you have quite a few big conversations in your future,” Eloise says with a smile. “I’m excited for you. Hell, I’m excited for me, too,” she laughs. “I’ve wanted to put that boy in Armani since the day I laid eyes on him.”
“I don’t want to freak him out, El. Between my penthouse and the city itself, and meeting my entire family, plus the director of the play we’re seeing on Broadway, dropping seventy grand on new clothes might be a bit much for him in one trip,” I argue.
“But can’t you see him in those black leather pants with the denim pockets and cuffs? You know the ones I’m talking about,” she says, throwing her head back like the thought requires a dramatic action to accompany it.
“I totally can,” I admit, the mental image making my dick swell.
Suddenly, knuckles tap on the wooden archway leading into the kitchen.
“Mind if I come back?” Zeke says, peering around the corner.
“Of course not, baby. Come on over.”
Resuming his seat next to me, Zeke visibly relaxes, and I rub his back, needing that constant touch.
“I cannot wait to see you two,” Eloise exclaims. “Zeke, how do you feel about leather?”