Alec stuck his arms into his winter coat and pulled it up over his shoulders. He learned that the serving preparations began at the shelter downtown at 12:30. He didn’t want to be part of the cooking process. He was close to all thumbs there, but he looked forward to serving the guys who didn’t have anywhere else to get a good meal on Thanksgiving. Alec knew that a few shifts in circumstances could put him in their shoes.

Alec turned off the lights in the living room a moment before his phone rang. He grumbled, “It must be a ridiculous telemarketer. That’s awful on a holiday.”

Pulling the phone out of his jeans pocket, Alec was startled to see that it wasn’t a telemarketer. It was Jensen calling. Alec’s hand shook as he waited through two more rings before answering the call. In a tentative voice, he said, “Hi.”

Jensen sounded cheerful. He said, “Happy Thanksgiving.”

Alec started to return the greeting, but Jensen continued talking. He began babbling, and it made Alec smile. Jensen said, “I’m sorry you haven’t heard from me in the last day or so, but if you aren’t busy for Thanksgiving dinner, and I’m not presuming that you are, but if you aren’t busy, would you like to come over? I’ve got a turkey in the oven, and only three of us to eat it. Would you like to come over? Please say yes.” He paused for a breath and added, “Damn, I’m rambling. I’ll shut up now.”

Alec thought he heard some snickering in the background on Jensen’s end. He asked, “Do you have an audience?”

“Oh, yeah, it’s Cindi and Les. They’re already here. You know Cindi, and Les is the one who got in the accident. They aren’t helpful with this phone call. Alec, I’m sorry. Please say yes.”

Alec chuckled softly. “Fuck, I thought I was the one who needed to say I’m sorry. I planned to call you tomorrow after all of this Thanksgiving nonsense was over. I didn’t want to risk an argument on the holiday. I like this one. I’m a little iffier about Christmas.”

“Does that mean you’re saying yes?”

“That means I think you should come over here first. I’ve got something for you.”

Jensen responded immediately. “Can’t you bring it over? I’ve got the turkey in the oven, and I’ve got mashed potatoes in the pan. I need to put the rolls in to bake.”

Alec asked, “Does Cindi know how to cook? I know your buddy is probably limited in what he can do, but this will only take a few minutes. I live right next door in case you forgot. I said yes to you. I think you should say yes to me.”

Alec heard voices in the background. He couldn’t quite figure out the words. Jensen returned to the phone and said, “Okay. I’ll be over. I’m deputizing Cindi. If dinner is screwed, it’s her fault. I’m not taking responsibility for it.”

Alec understood the next words from the background in Jensen’s house. Cindi howled, “Ah, great! Why don’t you throw me under the bus?”

Jensen said, “I’ll be right there.”

Alec smiled when his doorbell rang less than two minutes later. He pulled it open to see Jensen rubbing his upper arms with his hands. “Why didn’t you wear a coat? Fuck, get in here. It’s cold. It’s November.”

“I only had to run next door. I don’t wear a coat when I take the garbage out and thank you. You’re looking good.”

Alec wore a new button-up flannel shirt along with a new pair of jeans. They fit just snug enough. He said, “Aw, thanks.” Alec threw his arms around Jensen and said, “C’mere. I want to hold on.”

As Jensen eagerly folded himself into Alec’s arms, he said, “I fucked up. I’ve treated you like shit. Les and Cindi ripped me for it. I hate to admit it, but they’re right. I’m glad you’re coming over for dinner, but if you want to boot me to the curb otherwise, I get it.”

Alec placed a finger on Jensen’s lips. “You’ve got a lot on your plate right now. I should know. I’m the king of having to cope with tons of shit. How about we forget the last couple of days and take a step back and go on another date?”

“Can we do that?”

“Are you an adult? I don’t think there are any laws against it. I think we’re the ones in charge.”

A broad smile worked its way across Jensen’s face. He said, “I’d love that. Our date was awesome. I’ll have to come over here for now if we, well, you know. Les is at my place for a couple of weeks at least. I’d feel a little intimidated with him in the house. I can leave him alone to come over here. He can probably take care of himself on the crutches, but he likes soaking up the sympathy. He’s a good buddy.”

“Let’s take it as it goes. If we need to ‘you know,’ I’m sure we can figure how to scratch the itch.”

Jensen said, “I guess we’d better get back to my house. The turkey needs basting, and I don’t remember if I gave Cindi good instructions on that. Thanksgiving dinner is a crazy amount of work, but it’s worth it. I love the sense of accomplishment.”

“First, do we have an agreement? Are we going to try again with a date?” Alec sighed. “Shit, you have to forgive me. I think it’s hard to believe I’m talking about dates like we’re in high school. It hasn’t been my style most of the time. I railed against traditional shit like dates.”

Jensen smiled. “We’re going on a date.”

“Let’s kiss on it.”

“Oh, fuck, yes.” Jensen inclined his head enough so that his lips could meet Alec’s. He parted them while Alec slipped his tongue inside.

Alec wondered what magic Jensen held in his body and how it got there. Alec’s toes curled when Jensen kissed him in a way that he’d never experienced with anyone in the past. Satch was a good kisser, but he wasn’t as hot as Jensen. Alec moaned when he caught the light breath from Jensen in his mouth.

As they both came up for air, Alec said, “Shit, I wish I could take you upstairs to bed right now. I missed you. Fuck, yes, I admit it. I missed the hell out of you. That night together was incredible. At least it was until my stupid nightmare.”

Jensen placed his hands on Alec’s muscular chest. “I missed you, too, and don’t worry about bad dreams. We all have them. Can I ask you something?”

“Well, yeah. Why couldn’t you? Ask away. I’ll answer as best I can.”

“Can you be a little gentle with this?” Jensen curled his right hand into a fist and held it to the left side of his chest. “I’m scared. You’re amazing. It’s my honest opinion, so I’m scared. I want this to work out. I didn’t try to screw it up. I started to run away because I was scared.”

“Oh, fuck. That makes two of us. You are a surprise. I didn’t have a clue. You’re pretty damn awesome, too. My buddy Beef helped me figure that out.”

“Oh, Beef. How is he?”

“How about we talk about that when we get back to your house. Those buddies of yours are waiting.” Alec headed toward the door, and then he stopped. He pulled his arms out of the sleeves of his coat and offered it to Jensen.

“Do you want me to wear your coat? That’s sweet of you, and it’s also sexy.” Jensen stuck his long, slim arms into the sleeves and discovered that they were about two inches too short.

Alec laughed. “Heh, wear it anyway. Let’s make a dash for your house. We’ll both warm up once we get there.”

After Alec opened his front door, pulled it shut tight, and turned his key in the lock, they both jogged down the front porch steps and across the driveway to Jensen’s kitchen door.

Cindi cheered, and Les joined in when Jensen and Alec appeared holding hands. Cindi said, “Perfect timing. Les said that I needed to do something with the turkey, and I’m a little unsure about it. My mom always does the turkey, and she hasn’t given me lessons yet. I have to deal with the sweet potatoes and rolls when I’m with my parents.”

Jensen said, “I think I need to conduct cooking classes for all three of you. The turkey needs basting, and it’s not a difficult thing. You take that turkey baster there on the counter and squirt the juices from the pan over the back of the bird.”

As Jensen attended to the turkey, Alec reached down and knocked on Les’s cast. “Hey, how’s that leg coming? I heard you had a nasty accident. I hope the car’s in better shape than you.”

Les said, “I think the car’s in the junkyard by now. It was totaled. That’s the silver lining. I never much liked that car anyway, and I’ll get to buy a new one with the check from the insurance.”

Cindi stepped up and hugged Alec. “It’s so good to see you! I heard that you’re working on those lights again. How’s that going? You’ll have to give me a schedule of your shows. It would be great to sit in the audience with my besties and say, ‘I know the guy who does the lights!’”

Alec wrapped his arms tight around Cindi. She’d been a great friend to him when they both moved into the neighborhood about a month apart. “Aw, that’s so sweet. Where are your friends? Didn’t Jensen let you invite them over?”

“Oh, they’re all off with relatives. I’ve gone to Florida for the last three years to be with my folks, but I didn’t have the energy this year. Work is a bear right now, and I started some classes this fall. I’m working on my Master’s degree. Thankfully, Jensen invited me over for dinner. I love Thanksgiving with my neighbors!”

Les piped up. “And a friend. I feel like the odd one out here. I wish I could buy into the neighborhood. It’s a good one.”

Cindi stepped behind Les and reached down folding her arms around his neck. “You’re part of the group, Les. I like you. I’m happy to get to know you better. I want to know that Jensen’s in good hands.”

Les said, “I think he’ll be in even better hands once those two figure it all out. Hopefully, we won’t have to knock their heads together to make them come to their senses.”