Page 9 of And Then Came Bliss

“So ...”

“Ugh.You’re killing me here,” Blair groused.“Out with it.”

“Undetectable.”Jake couldn’t have stopped the smile that stretched across his face if he’d tried.He’d stuck to his regime until the new habit had become autopilot.And with Blair’s help, he’d changed his lifestyle for the better.Eating healthy, though, that was because of Blair and the magic he worked in the kitchen, and exercising regularly.One of his favorite times of day was when he and Blair ran around the seawall in the mornings before heading into the office and Blair to his coffee shop.

“I knew it.”Blair cupped his face in both hands and kissed him.“I had no doubt you’d get your viral load there.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” Jake said between Blair’s kisses.

And he meant it.He didn’t know what he would have done if he hadn’t stumbled into Bliss Beans all those months ago.He remembered feeling so lost, with no idea how to move forward or what to do next.But Blair had been there and had taken the time to show a total stranger that he had a full life ahead of him.That all his dreams were still attainable.

“You did the work,” Blair countered and kissed him again.“This calls for a celebration.”

“Yeah?”Jake slid his hands down Blair’s back and cupped his butt cheeks.“I know just how, too.”

The door swung open, and Traci poked her head inside.She froze, as did Blair, and Jake started laughing.

“Well.”Traci quickly recovered.One eyebrow raised and a hand on her hip, the other still on the doorknob.“At least you’ve both got your pants on this time.”

Blair dropped his head back and sighed.“That wasonetime.”

“Whatever.”Traci turned away with a smile she couldn’t hide, mumbling something about not being paid enough.A second later, her voice echoed down the short hall.“Right yourselves and get out here.People are arriving.”

“You heard the lady,” Jake teased.

He pulled Blair in for another kiss, keeping this one rated PG, and slid his hands down Blair’s chest before gently pushing him away and putting some distance between them.

“After you,” Blair said with a wave.

Half a dozen people were already mingling by the snack table when Jake returned to the main dining room with Blair.

“Hey, Jake.Blair,” David said, his eyes bright and glittering.“Traci catch you two naked in the office again?”

“Oh my god,” Blair groaned as Jake and David laughed.“One.Time.”

“Good to see you, David,” Jake said, giving the older man a hug.

Since that first support group meeting, David had become one of his favorite people.He always had a new story to tell about his youth and his experiences living with HIV, and always in a humorous way.Jake and Blair were now regulars at David’s weekend brunches.Just as David had become a regular at their support group.He still attended Trent’s group, as did Jake and Blair, though not as often.

“I invited a friend tonight,” David said as he loaded a plate with appetizers.That man had an appetite that could put an Olympic athlete to shame.

“Oh?What kind of friend?”Jake only now realized he’d never seen David with a partner.

David snickered.“Not that kind of friend.A Jake.”

Blair frowned.“AJake?”

The door swung open, the merrily jingling bell at odds with the young man who walked in with a dark cloud over his head so tangible, Jake felt the weight of it all the way across the room.Was that how he’d looked when he’d been first been diagnosed?At his first support meeting?Probably.Though he’d had Blair there to help guide him through it.

“Ah.There he is now,” David said.

Jake turned to meet Blair’s gaze.Understanding in the warm depths of his eyes.

“A Jake,” Jake said softly.

At Blair’s nod, Jake planted a quick kiss on his lips before crossing the room to meet David’s new friend.

“Welcome.I’m Jake.”He extended a hand in greeting to the newcomer.“Don’t worry, we’ve got you.”