It Will Be Now
It Will Be Now
“Daddy, I really want this one.”
Jared looked down at his son and sighed. That’s what he got for telling Jake he could have any tree he wanted.
“It’s kinda tall bud.”
“Barely tall as you Dad.”
“The kid has a point.”
Jared turned to find himself staring into the most beautiful pair of green eyes he’d ever seen. He wanted to tell himself the colors was fake, like the snow on the trees, but there was no indication of contacts , just humor as the man took in his reaction before bending over to smile at Jake.
“Hi, I’m Jensen. You and your Dad need some help?”
“I’m Jake.” He said, holding his hand out for a shake. “And Dad said I could have any tree I wanted. And I want this one.”
“Of course you do. And Daddy’s objection is?”
Jared shook his head, smiling at Jensen. “A small space to put it in.”
Jensen looked down at Jake and shook his head. “Don’t let him jip you man. You know what a smaller tree means, right?”
“No, what?” Jake asked.
“Smaller place for Santa to leave presents.”
“DADDY!”
Jared broke out into laughter at Jake’s distressed look and Jensen watched with a wide smile, something more than amusement and if he didn’t know better, he’d say he was interested. He’d had more than a bad string of luck in relationships lately though so he let the thought pass.
“The sign does say you deliver, right?”
“Yep. And I think we might still have space for one more delivery tonight. I’ll have to check with the delivery guys though.”
Jared looked down at his son’s hopeful face and then up at Jensen. “Alright. Let’s get this beast paid for so I can get home and move the entire living room into the attic to make space for it.”
By the time they managed to get the space cleared, it was time for Jake’s bath. He’s already explained to Jake that the tree would be there too late for decorating that night, but they’d spend the next day at it, so his boisterous son had settled into bed soon after.
Jared sat staring at the space the tree would soon be resting, his mind going back to the guy at the tree lot. Maybe he should have asked for his number. Should have done something besides buy a tree and run from the first man he’d been really interested in that year. He hadn’t though and he wasn’t nearly lame enough to show up at the lot again just to look for him.
Not until at least Sunday anyway.
It wasn’t until nearly ten that a knock came at the front door and he’d had way too much time to think about Jensen. He opened the door and gave a surprised laugh. “Thought you had delivery guys.”
Jensen smiled at him from the other side. “We do, but they were running really late and I didn’t want to disappoint Jake. It was on my way, so you’re stuck with me. Now, where do you want this thing?”
Jared moved out of the doorway and showed Jensen where he wanted the tree. The other man pulled out the stand and Jared helped him get it straight before Jensen was standing up, taking a critical look at it.
“Think we’ve got it.”
“Yeah. Thanks man. Jake would have been pretty upset if he woke without a tree.”
“He seems like a good kid.”
“Yeah.” Jared said with a fond smile. “Hey, you want… a beer or hot cocoa or something?”
Jensen’s smile grew warmer. “A beer would be great.”
Jared led him into the kitchen and they took a seat at the bar as Jensen pulled Jared out of his normal shell. Jensen talked about the area, giving Jared the heads up on the best places to do things. He even offered to show them around a bit. Jared talked about working as a freelance writer and the problems with working at home with a small child. He didn’t realize they’d talked so long until Jensen put down his last beer and stood from the stool. “I need to head home before I fall over at work tomorrow.”
“Yeah, of course.” Jared followed him out, watching as Jensen made his way through the house.
“You know…“ He handed Jared a business card. “I’m a carpenter and a handyman. With you new in town you might not know anyone to help out… so call me if you need anything.”
Jared opened the door and looked at the card. “So, you just flirting with me to get some business?”
Jensen took a step closer, his eyes never leaving Jared’s as he smiled slightly. “Maybe I’m just using the business, hoping you’ll call the number to flirt with me.”
Jared laughed lightly but then Jensen’s hand was at the back of his neck, their lips pressed together lightly. It was almost chaste, but it sent a shock of desire through Jared. He kept his eyes closed as Jensen rested their foreheads together for a minute.
“Merry Christmas Jared.”
“Merry Christmas Jensen.”
“Tell Jake I said Merry Christmas as well.”
Jared smiled as Jensen started to walk off his porch. “Maybe you can come over to dinner sometime and tell him yourself.” It was too early to say it, too early to ask a guy for something like that, but it was a gauge also, to see what Jensen would do.
The other man stopped and looked back at Jared, that beautiful smile creeping up his face. “I’d like that. Until then, decorate your tree. It looks bare. And don’t forget to fill it up with presents underneath.”
“Yes Santa.”
Jensen laughed as he opened the door of his truck and waved.
Jared closed the door after Jensen left, then pulled out the business card and programmed the number into his cell phone. He couldn’t help himself though and he found his fingers typing. “Merry Christmas.” Before he could stop himself, he sent the text message.
He got an answer back less than five minutes later and he knew he’d be smiling for days about it. It was simple in return.
“I think It will be now."