“So, how do you know this Alec?” Ed’s mum asked. “I’ve never heard you talk about him before.”
“I work with him. He’s…” Ed’s cheeks heated. “He’s actually my boss.” He didn’t want to give Alec’s secrets away, but his mum was bound to ask Alec about himself, so maybe it was better to explain now. “But we’re friends too.”
His mum raised her eyebrows, and Ed knew the flush on his cheeks was giving him away. “Just friends?”
Ed met her enquiring gaze, silently begging her not to press him. “At the moment, yes.”
His heart twisted. He wanted so much more than friendship, and he couldn’t help wondering whether there was a chance for them now. Alec coming out to his parents was huge. Ed hadn’t been expecting that, and he wasn’t sure what it might mean.
Her expression softened. “It sounds complicated.”
“It is.” Ed sighed. “It really is. But I’d rather not talk about it. Alec, he’s… well he’s not out to anyone. Or he wasn’t… so I’m not sure how he’d feel about you knowing.”
“Okay, love.” His mum nodded in understanding. She put her hand on his arm and squeezed. “I’ll be discreet, don’t worry.”
“Thanks.”
Ed’s phone chimed with a text. It was from Alec.
Just stopped for petrol. I’ll be there by sixish.
Okay, Ed replied.
“He’ll be here in about forty-five minutes,” he told his mum. “Is there anything else I can do to help with dinner?”
“You can grate some cheese while I make the white sauce and put the lasagne together. Then we need to chop some veg for the salad too.”
Glad to have something to keep him busy as his tension mounted, Ed got on with the jobs his mum gave him. He couldn’t help his hopes rising along with his nerves, but he felt selfish for thinking about himself. Alec had sounded miserable after his encounter with his parents. Ed was determined to give him some space. If Alec needed him to be a friend rather than a lover, Ed could do that too.
When the doorbell finally rang, Ed nearly tripped over his feet running to answer it. But Alice and Ava beat him to it. Fighting over who got to open the door, they were yelling at each other when they finally pulled it open.
“Hi,” Ed greeted Alec over their heads. “Welcome to the zoo.”
“Hello.” Alec had a carrier bag in one hand and an overnight bag in the other. He was pale and exhausted-looking, and Ed wanted nothing more than to pull him into his arms and hug him hard, but the twins were in the way. “Thanks for letting me come.”
“Hello.” Alice finally remembered her manners and greeted Alec with a smile. “I’m Alice, and this is Ava.”
“Hi, Alice. Hi, Ava,” Alec said.
“You need to move, so he can get through the door.” Ed gave Alec an apologetic smile. “Sorry.”
“What’s in that bag?” Alice asked.
“Alice!” Greg’s voice came from the doorway to the living room. He shot Alice a warning look. “Sorry about my daughter. Hello, I’m Greg.” He stepped forward and offered Alec a hand to shake.
“Alec. Good to meet you, Greg.”
“That was rude, Alice.” Ava’s voice was accusing. “She thinks there might be presents in there,” she added conspiratorially to Alec.
Ed stifled a laugh. Alice wasn’t known for her impulse control.
“Well, she might be right,” Alec said. “But don’t get too excited. The petrol station had rather slim pickings when it came to gifts, and the chocolates are meant for your mum rather than you. But maybe she’ll share.”
“She usually does,” Alice said.
“Speaking of Mum, let me take you through to meet her. She’s busy with dinner,” Ed said. “Leave your bag here for a minute, and we can take it upstairs once we’ve finished the introductions. Gemma’s in her room, but you can meet her later.”
He put his hand on Alec’s lower back as they entered the kitchen, guiding him through the door.
“Alec, this is my mum, Janine. Mum, this is Alec.”
“Hi, Alec. It’s good to meet you.” Ed’s mum came forward and shook the hand that Alec offered.
“Likewise, Janine. I’m so sorry to turn up out of the blue like this. It’s very kind of you to let me stay.” Alec’s cheeks flushed slightly as he spoke, but his voice was soft and sincere.
“It’s no problem at all.”
Alec got a large box of chocolates out of the bag he was holding and offered them to her. “These are for you. I tried to get flowers too, but the ones at the petrol station were so sorry for themselves I didn’t think they’d survive the night.” He smiled ruefully.
“These are lovely, thank you.” She turned to Ed. “Love, why don’t you take Alec up and show him where he’s sleeping. Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes.”
“Sure.” Ed was grateful for the excuse to get Alec alone. He could see the tension in his jaw and in the lines around his eyes despite his veneer of charm and smiles. Alec looked as though he was at breaking point.