Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

life.
    "Thanks for hanging out here all day. I'm sorry I'm not much of a conversationalist when I get in the zone. Hope it wasn't too boring for you."
    "No way. It's been fun. I got to look through your scrapbook of cakes. I've got to say the superheroes one with the Hulk's fist smashing through the center is my favorite. I always wanted an Aquaman cake growing up. Anyway, I had a blast hanging out, and everyone here has been great. In fact, we're invited to hang out with everyone tomorrow night if you want."
    "Yeah, we could do that. I like showing off my sexy boyfriend. I'm pretty sure they had a bet going on whether or not you were real."
    Michael chuckled. "They did. I heard all about it." Cole finished packing the cake, and everyone else had gone home for the day. "And speaking of sexy boyfriends, do you have any idea what you've been doing to me all day. Your arms are so fucking hot. Every muscle ripples when you're working on a cake." He leaned in and whispered in Cole's ear, "Take me home, Mr. Hamilton. And bring your white shirt."
    Three days later Cole stood in front of his apartment building engulfed in Michael's arms. He used all the strength he had, trying to fuse their bodies together as they hugged good-bye. It was Monday morning, and the casino had sent a car to drive Michael to Atlantic City where he would immerse himself in work for the next two days, making sure everything was perfect for the grand opening, before flying back home to Cincinnati.
    The past week had simply flown right by. Michael pulled back far enough to give Cole one last kiss. They had spent the wee hours of the morning making love one last time. He could still smell Cole's cinnamon and vanilla scent on his skin. "I'll see you in a month. I can't wait to show you my hometown and introduce you to my mom and Ang." He stepped out of Cole's arms and turned to walk to the car. There was no way he could turn and look at Cole again, and not run right back into those arms, so his eyes remained focused on his shoulder when he turned his head to say, "Thanks for everything. I'll text you when I get to Atlantic City."
    Cole stood on the sidewalk in front of his home and watched Michael drive away. For the first time in his life he, felt it. It sat on his chest and squeezed his heart. It stung his eyes and twisted his guts. Loss. Cole felt the loss of having Michael with him, sharing their day to day lives. And that was it. He knew, in that moment, Michael was his one person. He had cut a door in the wall that protected his fragile heart and let him completely inside. There would be no going back.
    ****
    Time of course moved forward as well and even though they were apart and missing each other terribly, Michael couldn't believe he would be picking Cole up at the airport in less than twenty-four hours. He had hoped to have a whole week with Cole, but the bakery was busy making pies and such for the Thanksgiving holiday so he wasn't able to come any sooner.
    He was sitting in the kitchen, snacking on some fresh salsa his mom had made earlier that day. She was in a tizzy baking, chopping and preparing the feast. It reminded him of his first night at Cole's place when he had been in a similar tizzy trying to cook for him. Of course, that had ended with third degree burns inside his mouth.
    "I can't wait to meet the man who put that smile on your face," he heard his mother say.
    Michael's smiled widened. "Me either. He's really great, mom. You'll like him."
    "I already like him. It's obvious he makes you happy but more importantly, he sent that great big box full of desserts, which means I don't have to make any for tomorrow! That was very sweet of him."
    "Wait until you taste them. I won't be the only one in love with him then." Michael's heart came to an abrupt stop. He reached a shaking hand out and grabbed another chip, popping it in his mouth, trying to avoid the elephant he had just dropped into the room. "I'm taking off. I have a few things I wanted to do before tomorrow." Michael jumped out of his seat and made a bee-line for the door.
    "Michael," his mom called.
    No matter how old he was, he still stopped when his mother was speaking to him. "Yeah?"
    "I'm happy for you, sweetie."
    "Thanks, mom." He ducked out the door and headed for his room. All he needed now was for his sister to get wind of this. She would have a wedding planned before the first slice of turkey was eaten.
    Michael managed to avoid his sister and make it out of the