Page 159 of Blue Gold

Once again, he stopped me, only now, he did it by hugging me from behind. “I can find towels myself, so stop worrying.”

“I want to be helpful.”

“You are.” He kissed the top of my head.

The familiar gesture made me physically relax, and I leaned my head back against him.

I could stay like this forever.

A knock interrupted us before Maman poked her head into the room. Surprisingly, Daniel didn’t stop hugging me, and for a change, I found myself being the one getting embarrassed.

“Aww, the two of you are so cute.” She beamed, a big smile on her face.

“M-Maman,” I muttered.

They’d met earlier, and while Maman wasn’t surprised I’d brought a man home, since she knew I was gay, she was impressed by my man. Over the past few months, I’d told her I was seeing someone, even lived with them, but I never went into details due to Daniel’s situation. And while it happened in the most unexpected way, finally being able to bring him home to meet her was incredible, so much so that my cheeks still hurt from smiling so hard.

“I assumed your friend from America would want to take a relaxing bath after such a long trip,” Maman said, sending a flirtatious wink Daniel’s way.

Daniel chuckled, sadly moving away from me to take the towels from her.

“Like mother, like son,” he said, making Maman giggle like a teenage girl.

They’re already getting along.

“Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes. Until then, I’ll leave you two lovebirds be,” she said before leaving us alone.

“Lovebirds?” Daniel chuckled, turning to face me. “I don’t think I’ve ever been referred to that way… especially not in my thirties.” He sighed. “It really does feel like we’re teenagers again, doesn’t it? Then again, you could still be one.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m almost twenty-two.”

“That’s true.”

My eyes moved on to the towels in his hands.

“I’ll show you where the bath is,” I said, trying to take them from him, when he pinched a petal that apparently was stuck in my hair.

“Looks like you need to take a shower yourself.” Smiling, he held the petal between us. “You should go first.”

I bit my lip before shaking my head. “No… I can wait.”

He gave me a sympathetic look, then nudged my chin up. “I’d feel much better knowing you’re all clean and warm, my love.”

My love.

Having him call me that in my room made me all fuzzy in the tummy, and I had to clear my throat before speaking.

“O-okay.”

I began stripping out of the many layers covering me, taking one after the other⁠—

You look sick, Elliot. You’re… You’re unwell.

My skin turned ice-cold as I remembered Daniel’s words from back then, and I froze, unable to take off the last piece of clothing.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.” I focused on the floor, hoping he’d drop it.