Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

seconds to stop gawking and find his voice, "Nice to meet you Zach. Thanks for filling in for Cole this week so we could spend some time together. We both really appreciate it." Zach took a step back and just nodded, not looking at Michael.
    Again Cole covered the awkward reaction. "Why don't you have a look around the kitchen while I talk with Zach about what's been going on. I'll take you out front then and let you pick something to eat for breakfast."
    "Sure, but from the smell of this place it's going to cost you more than one something. I'm starving." Michael walked away then, giving Cole some space and privacy to talk business. He wandered around looking at all the tools and equipment, trying to picture Cole in the space creating his art. He couldn't help but sneak glances over toward where Cole and Zach were standing. Standing rather close, he thought.
    Now that Michael's brain had taken him there, he couldn't help but stay on the jealousy train. Cole was talking in a low voice to Zach, who was looking up at him with his wide eyes. Wide, pleading, I love and worship you eyes. Michael seethed. And what the fuck was he doing employing hot, blond twinks anyway? He watched as Zach nodded his head and answered Cole's questions. Was he leaning into Cole?
    Just as Michael was going to storm over to his lover and Mr. Cherub face he saw Cole turn and walk toward where he was standing. Cole detoured and grabbed a white shirt off a hook by the door. He was buttoning it when he reached Michael, waggled his eyebrows and asked, "You ready to taste my sweetmeats?"
    "Well, I don't know, looks like I'm not the only customer you have," Michael hissed at him. Somewhere back, way back, in his brain he knew he was being ridiculous and possessive but he just couldn't help himself. He had to go back to Ohio knowing his boyfriend spent hours and hours every day with an angel. An angel who worshipped the ground he walked on.
    "What?" Cole was clearly perplexed. "What are you talking about?"
    "Nothing. Forget it."
    Of course, that's when Cole caught on to the direction of Michael's glare. "Oh my god," he laughed. "You're jealous. Of Zach! That is so cute."
    "Whatever. I just wasn't aware it was legal to hire fifteen year olds."
    Cole wrapped his arms around Michael's waist and nuzzled his neck. "He's twenty-two, sweetie. He's had a hard life and I helped him out by giving him a job. Turned out it was a great decision because he works hard and is excellent at it. But he's totally not my type. I like big, strong, possessive types with blue eyes and poor taste in movies."
    Michael sighed and wrapped his arms around Cole. "I'm sorry. I just got all worked up at the thought of you spending so much time with a kid who looks like he could model for Calvin Klein while I'm hundreds of miles away. And the kid is clearly in love with you."
    "Look. His mom's a crack addict who couldn't be bothered with feeding him or taking care of any of his very basic needs. His father, probably some trick she turned to score more drugs. He was bullied so badly at school he dropped out. A friend asked me for a favor, and I gave him a job."
    "I'm sorry. I was being stupid. It's just…. I've never had to deal with stuff like this before. You mean a lot to me, Cole."
    "I know, baby. I feel the same way but don't worry. Please. If anything, I'm the first person on this planet who actually gave a shit about him, and he's got a bad case of hero worship. And whether you're hundreds of miles away or standing right here, I'm all yours, and you, my little piggy, are all mine. Got it?"
    "I got it," Michael sighed. "Now, show me these confectionary creations I've been hearing all about before I start gnawing on my own arm."
    Michael's sugary breakfast had been absolutely delicious, but the highlight of his day was watching Cole at work. The cake he made was simply stunning. The customers had chosen a square five-tier cake decorated in an elegant yet masculine black and white damask design. The top tier was covered in small sugar pearls and had their initials written in flowing fanciful black letters.
    Cole put the final touch, a set of dashing grooms dressed in tuxedos, on the top and stood back to admire his work. "You really are a master at this," Michael praised him. He was glad he got to spend the day here. Seeing Cole at work was mesmerizing, and he would cherish the image of Cole dressed in white with passion in his eyes and his soul set free for the rest of his