"We come bearing snacks!~"
Jensen's announcement was met with grateful cheers around the room. The large bag housing a plethora of Spanish foods was passed off to Dorian, giving the twins an opportunity to be scooped up into a tight hug. They pressed kisses on either of Jensen's cheeks in greeting. Then they reached to do the same to Roman.
"Oh, wow- I like your pretty flowers!" Ivy told him, blue eyes shining with joy.
"Thank you, Vee. They were a surprise gift from Jay."
Wynter pointed in the direction of the kitchen. "You gotta put them in water, or they might get crinkly."
"If you girls would like, you can find a nice vase for them. Just make sure to have someone help you."
"Okay!"
Wynter and Ivy were set back down. They took hold of opposite ends of Roman's bouquet, being careful to not bend any stems. Together, the girls walked over to Denise, who was in the process of drying her hands near the sink. She reached into a side cupboard to help the twins look for an appropriate container.
Jensen peeled Roman's coat off for him to hang it on the rack by the stairs. A firm hand on his lower back guided him into the dining room where everyone else was already situated. Both men traded a double cheek kiss with Juniper and a tight hug with Mikayla.
"Hi, boys- oh, you got a haircut!" Mikayla gently moved Jensen's face from side to side to get a better look. "I like it."
"Thank you, Kay. It was just a trim, though. Nothing too crazy. Gotta make sure I stay nice and fluffy."
Smiling, Jensen leaned over the table to help Dorian unpack their dinner. One by one, styrofoam boxes were opened and spread out. Doing so revealed a large helping of empanadas, chorizo, garlic shrimp, calamari, and mussels. The complementary flan, churros, and a small lidded plastic container of whole strawberries with whipped cream were set aside for later. But not before Jensen swiped a churro and offered it to Roman.
Settling down in his pulled out chair, the opposite end of the sweet dessert was popped into Roman's mouth. He watched, impressed, as Jensen filled Roman's plate with every food item, putting extra of what he favored while keeping the overall portion at the preferred size. Spicy salsas were sprinkled over selections of seafood for an extra, delightful kick.
Once he was done, Jensen filled his own plate and sat down. Their hands met beneath the coverage of the long tablecloth dangling over their legs. They shared a single, meaningful squeeze to hold them over until later. Then, with hesitation, they moved back into their own spaces.
Roman ignored a pang of disappointment.
Denise and the twins brought over several types of drink options. Everyone sat down in their specific seats to begin eating together.
Conversations flew across the table like normal. Dorian shared his glee in regard to an upcoming week-long break from college. Denise talked about an upcoming parade she and her band students were going to take part in in celebration of spring's arrival. Mikayla gave a brief account about a cute snake she took care of during her shift at the veterinary clinic earlier that day. The twins recounted their excitement about a field trip they were going to take in a few days to a historical museum with Juniper.
That last conversation made way for a series of fond memories pertaining to previous school outings.
"I remember a little bit about that autumn field trip we took to that pumpkin patch," Dorian reminisced, offering a delighted sigh toward his old teacher. "There was a really wide pathway we walked under while lugging our pumpkins around. The super tall trees on either side of us were full of red leaves, and there were so many, you could only see little slivers of the sky between branches. It was really pretty."
YOU ARE READING
A Step Closer to Me
Romance"You've had people telling you what to do your entire life. I think you should finally do what you've always wanted by taking a chance for yourself. My arms are open. So, leap into them. And I'll hold your hand as we fall together." ~~~ Roman Indigo...
