Diplomacy

arrived?
    With a “Why don’t you go and play?” he sent AnnElise off to her boys again and walked over to the kitchen with a constricted feeling in his chest.
    To his surprise, Lucas was sitting on the counter and Maria was leaning against the kitchen cabinets on the other side, both were drinking tea and smiling as they conversed animatedly. Maybe his apprehension was unnecessary?
    Jack greeted Maria first with a kiss on the cheek and then realized he was uncomfortable kissing Lucas in front of her. He hesitated momentarily, and then saw in Lucas’s face that he had felt it too. Damn!
    Why did she still intimidate him?
    The atmosphere in the kitchen cooled a few degrees and Jack made his escape, telling Maria, “Listen, I’ll just change my clothes, and we’ll be ready to leave in about ten minutes, okay?” LATER that night, Lucas went to bed early. Looking after three kids between the ages of five and three after a busy work day was tiring enough, but the additional stress of Maria arriving early and Jack’s awkward response to her presence made it an exhausting evening indeed.
    He’d noticed that Jack had hesitated kissing him on the mouth as was usual when he came home. Lucas didn’t take it personally, since he hadn’t been entirely comfortable with the situation either, but he wanted to know if it was just a matter of Jack feeling strange about being in a room D i p l o m a c y | 197

    with the only two people he’d had a serious relationship with, or whether there was something more to it.
    Lucas shook his head and told himself there was no reason to doubt Jack’s commitment to him. Really. Then why had things been so weird all of a sudden? Why had Jack disappeared into their bedroom and reappeared only minutes later, in different clothes, only to whisk Maria out of the kitchen and off to dinner in the city?
    He turned off the light and snuggled under the duvet, knowing full well he wouldn’t sleep until Jack was home even though there was no reason to be jealous. Jack had left Maria, gotten a divorce and changed his whole life around, at a time when Lucas wasn’t even a part of that life. So why was he doubting Jack now?
    He heard the front door open and the familiar clinking of Jack placing his keys in the small bowl. He could tell Jack was being careful not to wake up anyone and moments later heard him come stealthily into their bedroom, undress and slip underneath the covers.
    In the darkness Lucas turned to face his lover.
    “I didn’t mean to wake you,” Jack whispered.
    “You didn’t. I couldn’t sleep,” Lucas answered. “How was dinner?”
    “Okay, I guess. Nice to talk to her again.” Lucas could hear the hesitation in Jack’s voice so he moved closer and put his arms around his lover. “It’s okay, Jack. You’re allowed to enjoy catching up with an old friend, as long as it’s just that.” He sighed as he realized it sounded like the little green devil of jealousy was rearing its ugly head, so he added, “I know I can trust you, Jack.” Jack snuggled up close in his arms and kissed him tenderly.
    “Damn! You had Thai food without me?” Lucas teased.
    “How do you always do that?” Jack asked and Lucas could tell he was smiling, although it was too dark to see.
    “It’s the coconut milk and the lemongrass and the touch of coriander.”
    “You can taste all that?” Jack teased back.
    “And more,” Lucas answered as he pulled Jack even closer and all the feelings of jealousy waned to be replaced by something much nicer.

    198 | Z a h r a O w e n s

Chapter Twenty-Six
    “OH, I almost forgot,” Lucas said as he watched Jack bend over the table to wipe it, thereby finishing off the after dinner chores, “There’s a letter for you. Big envelope, expensive paper, calligraphic handwriting and addressed only to Mr. Jack Christensen.” Jack threw him the wet cloth and walked into the hallway to retrieve the letter. As he returned to the living room, he opened it and read the formal invitation.
    “Stacey’s getting married. You remember her? My Junior Protocol Officer? In Antwerp, no less. And we’re invited. Wanna go?” Jack asked while he was still reading.
    “It’s only addressed to you,” Lucas answered sheepishly as he retreated to the kitchen, closely followed by Jack.
    “It says Mr. Jack Christensen and partner,” Jack rebutted as he wrapped his arms around Lucas, pushing him against the counter.
    “That could be anyone,” Lucas pouted, knowing