Coda Books 04 - Strawberries for Dessert (MM)

family spent a great deal of time in New York, because it was the house my mother liked best. But by the time I was eight or so, she and my father had split, and my father didn’t like to go there. So we went to Paris instead. We were usually there at least six months out of the year. My father had extended family in the area. They’re still there, I suppose, although I haven’t heard from any of them since he died.”
    “I’m sorry—” my dad started to say, but Cole waved him off before he even finished the words.
    “It’s nothing, honey. It was twenty years ago.”
    “That’s why you like to travel so much,” I said with sudden understanding, and he shrugged.
    “Traveling’s not something I like to do so much as something I’m compelled to do. I’ve tried staying put, love, but it never works out. It makes me restless and cranky and terribly unpleasant.”
    “You must have been pretty young when your dad died,” my dad said.
    “Dad,” I said, “I’m sure he doesn’t want to talk about that.” But Cole ignored me and answered.
    “I was fifteen. My mother is still alive, so technically she had custody until I was eighteen, even though I never saw her. It’s as predictable as the movie of the week, really. A couple of housekeepers kept me in line until I went off to college.” He smiled, in an obvious attempt to lighten the mood. “My mother’s single too, love, and lord knows she spends enough money on surgery, I imagine she’s still gorgeous to boot. Maybe I should set you up sometime.”
    My dad looked a little alarmed. “Cole,” I said, “no.”
    He rolled his eyes at me. “Honey, lighten up. It was a joke.”
    My mother was dead, and he was joking about setting my dad up on a blind date? “It’s inappropriate.”
    “Jon,” my dad said, “it’s fine.”
    “See?” Cole said to me. “It’s fine.”
    “It’s not fine,” I said. “He doesn’t want to date anyone!”
    “How do you know, love? Have you ever asked him? George, are you dating anyone?”
    “Cole!”
    “ What , love? It was a simple question.”
    “My mother is dead !”
    “Good lord, honey, I know! But it didn’t happen yesterday, did it? Am I supposed to assume he’s going to live a life of chastity for the rest of his days?”
    “Boys—” my dad started to say, but Cole cut him off.
    “George, I’m so sorry if I offended you. Truly. That was never my intent.”
    “You didn’t—”
    “That’s not the point!” I said.
    “Jon,” my dad said, “the truth is, I’ve been thinking about trying one of those dating services—”
    “Oh my God! Can we talk about something else please?” I snapped.
    Cole gave me a venomous glare, and my dad sighed heavily before coming to my rescue yet again by asking, “So, how did the two of you meet?”
    Cole and I eyed each other for a second. There was a challenge blazing in his hazel eyes. He was definitely not happy with me. I turned back to my father. “We were set up by a mutual friend.”
    “Yes,” Cole said sarcastically. “Lord knows what Jared was thinking.”
    “Nobody’s making you stay,” I snapped in irritation.
    He smiled at me. “Good point, lovey.” He turned to my father. “It was lovely seeing you again, George, and I hope you had a wonderful birthday. I know it’s terribly improper to rush out like this, but I’m sure you and Jonny would like some time alone anyway.” He stood up from the table without even looking at me.
    “You’re leaving?” I asked in surprise. I hadn’t really meant for him to go.
    “As a matter of fact, I am.”
    My dad once again looked uncomfortable, and I was trying not to be pissed. I followed him into the living room where he put on his shoes and grabbed his keys. “I can’t believe you’re just walking out on dinner,” I hissed at him, hoping my father couldn’t hear. “It’s rude.”
    “You’re the one who’s rude,” he said, turning on me. “You’re so busy treating us like children you don’t notice when you’re not needed!”
    “What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”
    “Nothing at all,” he said, and slammed the door behind him.
    I stood there in the living room, trying to compose myself before going back to my dad. I counted to five. Or maybe it was twenty-five.
    Once I had quit seeing red, I went back in the dining room to find that my dad wasn’t there. I found him in the kitchen, using a piece of bread to mop the cioppino pot clean.
    “That boy may be a