Chapter 14 #2
They walked across the way to Alicia's, which smelled like sub dressing and cheese and meat and some kind of delicious soup. Xander could pick out the notes of it. It had to be chicken and rice maybe?
It didn't matter. Iago would love it.
He’d never known someone as into soup. It rocked.
“It smells so nice in here!”
“It does, huh? Hey, Alicia. Minding the store yourself today?”
“Yep. My college help called out sick with a summer cold.” Alicia had her hair tied back in a bandana, and she was pulling fresh bagels out of the oven.
“Oh, man. That’s awful. Are you doing all right?”
She beamed at Iago. “Aren’t you sweet? I’m fine, honey.”
“Well, let me know. I can jump in for a few if you need me.” Xavier had to offer.
“Oh, guys. Thank you. What do you need? Bagel sandwich?”
“Soup, baby?”
“Mmm. And half a sandwich.” Iago beamed. “Maybe turkey and avocado?”
“Bacon, sweetheart?”
“Oh, please. Yes. And tomato? I want tomato?”
“You bet.” Alicia seemed like a vibrant, energetic lady, and she bustled around. “Xander, feel free to make your drinks.”
“Sure. Grab us a table, babe.”
Xander had never worked here, but all fast food drinks had the same set-up, so he grabbed Iago a Sprite and poured himself a Diet Coke. He got the water as well because they’d been out in the sun at the pool and they needed to stay hydrated.
“Look at you, carrying all the drinks.” Iago beamed at him, shaking his head. “How can I help?”
“Grab the food?”
“Sure, honey.”
That casual agreement made him smile, warmed him inside.
Iago grabbed the tray with their bagel sammies and soup, and he grinned when he saw Alicia had added two cookies to the pile, as well.
“Thanks, lady.”
“Anytime. Enjoy.”
They wandered to a table by the window, laughing as they ate and people-watched. Honestly, Alicia should pay someone to sit in these seats. It seemed to bring people inside. Half a dozen folks stopped by to say hi while they ate.
“Everyone knows you, huh? That’s amazing.” Iago rubbed his leg.
“I worked at the truck stop a long time. And the hotel is a popular stopping place.” He shrugged, his cheeks heating.
“That’s neat. One day, you’ll bring our baby down here.”
“I will. And we’ll have a ball. Like, the holiday stroll. So much fun.” God, that was wild, huh?
“And we’re doing a big thing at the Junction, too.”
“I know! I’m tickled. You ghost hunters, single-handedly reviving Hot Springs Junction.”
“Does that make you worried? Us changing things?”
“Nope.” Xander grinned. “The more folks who visit, the more I get to cook.” And the more he got paid.
That worked for him.
He had a baby on the way — diapers, formula, furniture. The fees for the birthing center…
“So, can I ask?” Iago chewed his lip. “I— do you get paid a living wage from the hotel?”
“Oh, God no. I’m lucky I have the house pretty much for property taxes. Mom and Dad had a couple of other properties they sold when they downsized.” Xander’s cheeks went bright red. “And, uh, I ghost write cookbooks.”
“Oh, that’s cool. So cool! I make decent money from the show, believe it or not. I’m not wealthy, but we’ll be okay. I’ll bring in my half.”
“Nice.” They would have to sit down and talk about stuff like that as adults, but not today. Today they were on a mini vacay. “Thanks for letting me know. I want to just have fun and work out the details later.”
“I think that’s a great idea. I just want to be with my… baby alpha? My boyfriend? My lover?”
“All of the above. I like boyfriend.” Maybe soon it would be fiancé, but he wasn’t pushing. He had a bad habit of making himself awkward.
“Boyfriend it is.” Iago grinned at him, winked. “My studly cookbook-writing boyfriend.”
His cheeks heated again, but Iago made him feel proud of it. “I try.” He balled up his wrapper from his sammy. “Should we go to the bakery to get a fancy dessert to have with our cookies?”
“Can we get goodies to go and then hit the Crapitorium? I want to shop.”
“Absolutely.” He loved the Crapitorium. The wild vintage stuff mixed in with genuine antiques made for a unique experience. And that way they had something to take back to the hotel.
“Cool. Do you think I’ll be able to come and stay at your house soon? I mean, I know I don’t have to move in, but… I want to sleep with you.”
“Baby, I want you to move in.” He really did. “I just want you to be safe. I worry about that mine shaft.”
“Well, we’re going to fix it. If we have to, we find the second opening and use that to explore.”
“By we you mean the guys on camera, and you in the kitchen on a laptop…” The very idea panicked him a little. God.
“That’s my job, love. I’m the researcher.” Iago didn’t sound terribly upset about that fact either.
“I know. I just had a little freak out thinking of you trying to go into the mine.” He took Iago’s hand, playing with his fingers.
Iago shook his head. “Maybe if it’s cleared, but Gent and Colton are sort of death on that sort of risk.”
“Good.” He drew in a deep breath. “Let’s go look at weird vintage shit.”
“And get pastries! I’m hoping for apple turnovers, but I reserve the right to change my mind.” Iago grinned at him, eyes twinkling. “I am the pregnant one, after all.”
“You are. And I defer to your cravings.” They stood, and he wrapped an arm around Iago, waving to Alicia as they left. Maybe he could find something for Iago and also something for the new nursery.
One never knew.