One
Can’t Fight this Feeling
Also known as he’s all grown up now
Apollo
My ringing phone is exactly the distraction I need from the stack of paperwork I’ve been working my way through. Note to self: Talk to Jude about his filing system. A smile crosses my lips when I see the name on the screen.
“Tell me you’re moving home, and I’ll forgive you for leaving me.”
Lucien chuckles. “Hello to you too, mon ami. I see you’re still holding a grudge two years in.”
“Yep. Are you coming home?”
“No, sorry, but I have news almost as good.”
I lean back in my leather office chair. “Unlikely, but let’s hear it.”
“You remember Felix?”
“Of course. Who could forget him?”
A smile pulls at my lips, recalling Lucien’s vibrant, always happy little brother. He was always making craft projects and giving them to me. I might still have the painting of Lucien, Felix, and me sitting on his parents’ front porch. He had the cutest little voice, with a French accent so thick, I could hardly understand him. I remember finding him sitting in front of the TV watching Friends and repeating all the lines to practice his pronunciation, so the kids at school would stop calling him Frenchie. Lucien and I put an end to that with one visit to his school during the lunch break. He called us his heroes after that. Moving to the States had to be hard on such a young kid, but he dug in his heels, determined to make friends. Felix was the most unique kid I ever met.
“True. He’s coming home from France. Right back to Miami.”
“No shit? Ten years is a long time. Why is he coming back?”
“I’m almost certain it’s a cover up story, but he tells us he is homesick and ready to settle close to our parents again. He’s not the same though. I can hear it in his voice.”
“He’s okay though?”
“The thing about Felix, if you remember, he puts his whole self into everything he does. Work, friendships, romance. I’ve warned him he could get hurt, but he says there is no other way to live. I’m afraid his heart has been bruised and he needs the comfort of home.”
“Aw, that sucks if that’s it. He’s a sweet kid.”
“He’s twenty-nine now, Apollo. Hardly a kid.”
“Fuck, man. Now I feel old. I remember when he was a sixteen-year-old, following us everywhere we went.”
“Yes, I remember too. I have a huge favor to ask, mon ami.”
“Anything. You know that.”
“Can you help him resettle? Maybe take him out? Your friends are amazing, and he has no connections in Miami anymore.”
“Goes without asking, man. I’m totally here for him. Give him my number. Everything. Where’s he staying?”
“He’s looking for a roommate situation while he job hunts.”
“No job either?”
“No.”
“Wait.” I sit up. “Maybe I could get him an interview with Saint. He owns the bakery across the street, and they can barely keep up with business.”
“I am sure Felix would be appreciative. He’s been specializing in chocolate all this time, but he can bake anything. He’s a master.”
“Awesome. Let me give Saint a call. Text me Felix’s number when he gets back to the states. My door is open if he needs it.”
“I knew I could count on you. Felix means the world to me. I know he’s a grown man, and he’s been caring for himself all this time, but my big brother instinct is still alive.”
“It always will be. Is Felix still as vivacious as he always was?”
“Times one thousand. Be prepared.”
I chuckle. “Looking forward to it.”
“Thank you again, mon ami. We will talk again soon.”
“Maybe with Felix moving back, you’ll visit more.”
“I will make more of an effort. You matter to me.”
“Same. See ya, man.”
“Bye.”
After hanging up with Lucien, I finish organizing the stack I was in the middle of, then pop up to run across to Dulce. I could use a break anyway. I swing by Jude’s office, and find him looking as miserable as I was while he tries to figure out the new merchandise inventory system. When he sees me, he gives me his lopsided, but let’s face it, sexy-ass grin.
“I think I need to call Nix back,” he says. “I don’t get it.”
“I tried reading the manual. It meant nothing.”
He sets his tablet on the desk. “I give. I’ll schedule a meeting. Everything cool?”
“Yeah. I was just making my way through four or five years of documents you’ve never filed.”
Jude shrugs. “I mean, why bother now? We’re obviously doing fine.”
“Barely. We need organization, but that’s why I’m here. Speaking of, I was about to pop over to see Saint. Want to tag along?”
“Let’s see,” he taps his chin. “Do I want to see my sexy husband, plus grab a cookie? Yes, yes I do.”
I laugh. “Let’s go then.”
Jude grabs his phone, sliding it in his back pocket as we hustle past the customers and artists to get outside.
“What do you want to talk to Saint about? I didn’t think you two talked much.”
“We don’t. Do you remember Lucien?”
“Yeah, your friend who lives in Cali?”
“Right. His little brother, Felix, is looking for baking work. He’s been abroad working for a decade, and he’s coming home. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to see if Saint has something.”
Jude’s face lights up. “Does he do fancy baking shit?”
“The fanciest.” I push the crosswalk button. "Sugar work and chocolate, but he can bake anything.”
“Dude. You don’t need Saint, you need Briar. He needs an addition to the special occasions shop.”
“Oh. Seriously?”
“Yeah. Briar’s gonna freak. It’s been so hard finding someone with the skill set he needs. Even the guys on the other side don’t fit what he’s looking for.”
“Sweet. Can you help navigate it?”
“I got some pull with Briar.”
I chuckle as the light changes and we start to cross. “I imagine you do.”
It’s hot and muggy today, the tail end of summer not leaving without a fight. All I can think about is getting to the weekend and hitting the beach. Well, Sunday. I’ll be at the shop tomorrow. Saturday is our busiest day.
“Do you think the new guys are working out?” I ask Jude.
He nods. “Yeah. I like being able to take walk-in customers again.”
“That’s good. Thanks for trusting me on those hires.”
“Had to, man. I’m finally learning I can’t do it all myself.”
“It’s a good lesson.”
We step inside the shop, waving at Genesis as Jude leads me past the front to Briar, who's working on frosting a cake in the back. Briar looks up and smiles.
“Hi, lover,” he says, offering his cheek for a kiss.