10. Gideon
Chapter ten
Gideon
The low buzzing of honeybees echoes outside my workshop.
It’s a familiar backdrop to my afternoon routine.
I stand at the counter, my forearms coated in a thin sheen of sweat as I use a heated knife to slice the wax seals off a heavy wooden frame.
The golden, liquid honey immediately begins to weep from the wax cells, dripping down into the stainless-steel container below.
I work methodically, my mind drifting right back to our date. To the taste of the blueberry blossom mead on Avery’s lips, and the frantic, heat of his body pressed against my chest. Or the way he looked up at me completely undone and feeling like mine.
"I want you, Gid. But also, I want you to want me and never let go."
A rare, heavy smile touches my lips at the memory. My chest expands with a deep breath, and the tight, defensive walls crumble away. I feel happy and light. When was the last time anyone made me feel this way?
"Well, well. Look at that, Lena bug. My beautiful giant son is actually smiling at a frame of honey. I told you the rumors were true."
I freeze, the uncapping knife hovering an inch above the wood.
I roll my shoulders back and turn around.
A quiet groan escapes my chest as the screen door clicks shut.
Stepping into the workshop are the two loudest, most persistent women in Foggy Basin: my mother, Angela, and my younger sister, Lena.
They live in the grand, wrap-around-porch main house at the front of the property, while I occupy the small cottage tucked back near the tree line. Even though we share the same acres, my mother makes it her personal mission to invade my workspace whenever she senses a change.
My mother is sixty-four years old, but if you said that out loud, no one would believe you.
Standing at a proud five feet tall, she is a beautiful Filipino woman with thick, glossy black hair cut into a sharp bob, pristine tan skin without a single wrinkle, and dark, piercing eyes that can see right through my defenses.
Next to her, Lena stands a few inches taller, sporting the same wavy black hair as mine and a wicked grin.
"Ma," I grumble, setting the heated knife down on its ceramic rest. I wipe my sticky hands on a clean towel. "Lena. What are you doing out here? The hives are pretty active today."
"Oh, please, sweetheart. The bees love me, you know that," Ma says, waving a hand dismissively as she struts into the room.
She looks like a tiny, elegant general inspecting a military base.
She stops right in front of me, leaning her hands on her hips and tilting her head back, and back some more so she can glare up at my six-foot-four frame.
"We came because we ran into Evelyn at the bakery.
She told me something very interesting this morning while I was supplying some pandesal. "
Lena giggles. "She said you were seen at the Celestial Cask, big brother. Apparently, you were with a very pretty young man from Southern California."
Heat rushes up my neck and warms my cheeks. I look away, suddenly finding the honey extractor incredibly interesting. "Paxton was just doing me a favor and giving me a few things."
"Paxton isn’t the person I’m talking about, Gideon," Ma counters, her voice dripping with sweet, maternal smugness. She reaches up, her small hand slapping my bicep playfully. "Don’t play dumb with your mother. The whole town is talking about Ezra’s new designer.
They say he is brilliant, and they say my son has been acting like a lovesick puppy around him. "
"I’m not lovesick," I mutter under my breath, praying my damn blush would go away.
"Your face is as red as an apple, Gid," Lena cackles, crossing her arms. "You haven't blushed like that since you accidentally checked out a boy in front of me when you were sixteen."
I don’t bother telling her that I constantly blush anytime I’m near my pretty fashion designer. Or apparently when I’m thinking about him too.
"Lena," I warn, shooting her a dark look that only makes her laugh harder.
Ma’s expression softens, the playful teasing shifting into something maternal, and protective. She reaches out, catching my hand in hers.
"Gideon," she says, her eyes shining with a familiar kindness that warms my heart.
"It has been a very long time since I saw a smile on your face like the one you had when we walked in.
If this young man makes you happy, then he is important.
And if he is important, he needs to come to the main house for dinner.
I want to cook for him. I want to meet the boy who tamed my bear. "
Bear? Oh god, not Ma too. What was it with this nickname… and why do I like it?
My throat goes tight. The thought of bringing Avery here and introducing him my crazy, yet loving family makes my heart beat faster. "Ma, he's busy at the boutique. He and Ezra are under a massive deadline. He’s stressed."
"All the more reason to feed him!" Ma insists, tapping her foot against the concrete floor. "A good home-cooked meal is exactly what a stressed artist needs. I will make adobo and pancit. You tell him to come this weekend." She says it like a statement, and I already know I lost this battle.
"He might have plans—"
"Oh, stop making excuses," Lena interrupts, stepping forward and shoving her hand into my back pocket. Before I can stop her, she pulls out my cell phone and thrusts it into my face like we’re teenagers. "Invite him right now. Stop overthinking it, Gid. Text him."
"Lena, give me the phone," I grumble, reaching for it, but Ma steps directly into my path, completely blocking me with her tiny frame.
"Listen to your sister, Gideon. Text him now," Ma commands, her small chin tilting up. "Let's see if this fashion designer is brave enough to face your mother. Go on."
I look from my mother’s stern, loving face to Lena’s expectant grin. I let out a long, defeated sigh before a chuckle escapes my throat. Why the hell do I love them so much? I take the phone from Lena’s hand, my thick thumb unlocking the screen.
I open the messaging app, my heart rate tripping over itself as I pull up Avery’s name. I type out a message, my large hands looking ridiculous against the small screen. Was texting always this awkward?
Me: My mother and sister just cornered me in the workshop.
Me: They found out about the meadery. Ma wants to cook you dinner this Friday at the main house. Are you free?
I hit send. Fucking hell. Why am I so nervous?
"There," I say, holding the phone up so Ma can see the screen. "I sent it."
"Good," Ma beams, clapping her hands together happily before turning toward the door. "Now, I must go shopping. If he says yes, I have a lot of chopping to do. Come along, Lena."
Lena follows, giving me a sly wink as she leaves.
My phone vibrates in my palm as the screen door slams shut behind them. I glance down, my chest tightening with anticipation and nerves.
Avery’s reply pops up on the screen.
Avery: Tell your mom I would love to. I'll bring something from the bakery. And Gid? I can't wait!!!
I reply quickly and lock the phone screen, shoving it back into my pocket. A wild, unstoppable smile spreads across my face.