A Little Side of Geek

by Marguerite Labbe

  Morris sighed and picked up the book, eyeing it with a critical look. “No, Brenden wants me to come up with a logo for his new con in Annapolis. I’ve been messing with this all evening and been unable to come up with anything that appeals to me.”

  “What does a dino have to do with comic books?” Theo looked over his shoulder. The sketches ranged from comic to sinister. There was one with the Bay Bridge behind it that caught his eye.

  “It’s not a dino, it’s Chessie.” Morris lifted a brow at Theo’s blank look. “You’ve lived and worked near the Chesapeake Bay your entire life and you’ve never heard of Chessie?”

  “Um….” Theo racked his brain, searching for anything that would make it seem more familiar, but it eluded him. “Is it a geek thing?”

  Morris shook his head, his expression mournful. “No, a local legend, man. Our own version of the Loch Ness monster out in the bay. Her name is Chessie. Brenden named his con after her since most of his shows take place in the tidal bay area.”

  “That is a new one on me.” A Loch Ness monster in the bay. He wondered if people chased after those rumors the way they did the Sasquatch or the goat man.

  “You’ve really never heard of it?” Morris raised a brow, searching Theo’s face to see if he was teasing.

  “Is she edible?” Theo chuckled at Morris’s incredulous expression. “If it doesn’t fall into one of my loves, then it generally passes right over my radar. Besides, the whole idea is a little ridiculous, isn’t it? I mean, the Loch Ness monster doesn’t really exist.”

  “Sometimes ridiculous can be fun.” Morris pointed the remote at the TV and flipped on the streaming service. “Let’s see, your loves would be your restaurant and food in general.”

  “Good food,” Theo corrected. “I have standards.”

  “Hmm, true. I can’t deny that.” Morris tapped the remote against his jaw. “What else, basketball?”

  Theo nodded. “Especially college. See how well you know me?”

  “Not as well as I’d like, I’m afraid.” Morris ran his fingers through Theo’s hair, and Theo dismissed the idea of watching anything. “You might have to tutor me. I’m drawing a blank on anything else. I promise, I make a very good student when the right teacher captures my attention.”

  Theo grinned and straddled Morris, the remote tumbling onto the floor. “You can’t forget local artists and their work. I really love to get my hands on that.”

  “Oh yeah,” Morris said, a little breathless as Theo nuzzled his lips with his own. “There is that. Silly me.”

  “Why don’t you come on up Friday night and I’ll give you a proper thank-you.” Theo nibbled on Morris’s lower lip, anticipation building at the thought of being alone with him all night long in his bed. “Lincoln is staying at a friend’s. We’ll have the whole place to ourselves after I get home.”

  Morris pulled back with a disappointed look. “I can’t. My niece is spending the night. I usually get her at least once before the school year starts, and it has been so crazy between our schedules, I’ve been putting it off. All my other weekends are filled with shows up until the Labor Day party at my parents’. I usually stay the whole weekend.”

  Dammit. Theo frowned. He’d been looking forward to some alone time with Morris. Hell, just time with him period. “That’s okay.”

  “I’ll take her by the restaurant for dinner,” Morris promised. “I’d love for you to meet her.”

  The pride in Morris’s eyes softened Theo’s irritation. He knew how much Morris loved his niece, and he didn’t get to see her as often as he wanted. “I’d really like that, especially since she’s going to be on my wall.”

  Morris slid his hands down Theo’s spine. “Speaking of alone time, how about you and me the night after that?”

  “Maybe.” Theo was still trying to figure out how to balance his relationship with Morris and Lincoln’s expectations of what to anticipate at home. Thinking of it was headache inducing, and Theo realized Lincoln might be embarrassed if he came out and saw them on the couch like this. Ugh, being an adult sucked.

  He wanted something more concrete than a half-formed idea they’d get together. He’d find himself looking forward to it until something else came up that one of them had to take care of. Theo wasn’t holding his breath. As much as he loved hanging out with Morris, trying to find time when they were both free was an exercise in frustration.

  “Any chance you could get one of the days off over Labor Day?” Morris suggested. “You and Lincoln should come with me to my parents’ house. You’d love one of my mom and dad’s cookouts. There’s food everywhere. My dad has a magic grill.”

  Theo’s plummeting spirits lifted. “You want me to meet your parents?” That was a good sign.

  An embarrassed look crossed Morris’s face, and then he shrugged. “The whole family actually, my sisters will be there, and their families.”

  Theo was determined to go. He wasn’t sure how he’d finagle it. He sat back, his thoughts racing. The bistro tended to be very quiet on Labor Day, and finding people willing to work was always a headache. Most of their Monday day sales came from the office workers who would be off for the holiday too. So many people took advantage of the last long weekend of the summer to bar-b-que and party that no one was looking for a sit-down meal in a restaurant. Not even one with a view of the water.

  He should close the restaurant for a day and give everyone the time off. They could offer sides and desserts to sell to pick up the day before, the same way they did for Thanksgiving and Christmas. In fact, they could expand a bit, do it for Memorial Day and Fourth of July as well. They never did enough business to really justify staying open, and everyone was grumpy about it. It would give everyone a guaranteed day off without having to jockey for who would get it and who wouldn’t. He was almost positive Jill would agree with him on every point.

  “You’re a genius,” Theo said, giving Morris a sound kiss on the lips.

  “I am?” The mystified expression on Morris’s face was fucking cute. “What did I do?”

  Theo had to steal another kiss. “You definitely are, and if this all works out, I’ll tell you all about it.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “SO WHERE are we going?” Laila asked, her nose practically pressed to the car window as they headed down the waterfront with the boardwalk on one side and a neat row of restaurants and businesses on the other.

  “It’s a surprise.” Morris flipped the car around, searching for a parking spot. He didn’t know why he should be nervous at the idea of Theo and Laila meeting. What if they didn’t like each other? He couldn’t think of one reason why they wouldn’t, but there it was. He could handle it if his parents or sisters took a bit to warm up to him, though he didn’t picture that happening, but not Laila. Maybe he should’ve told Theo how important this was. Yeah, like that wasn’t pressure.

  He’d been dodging this whole idea of a relationship, especially since Theo’s offhand comment in his kitchen last weekend. But he had to be honest. This had gone far beyond a fling if he was running out to get portraits framed to put a smile on Theo’s face. The fact he was this knotted up over Theo and Laila meeting was another clue to smack him upside the head. He really wanted this to work out, and it scared him.

  “We always get pizza with extra pepperoni and sausage.” Laila looked over her shoulder at Morris. “Do you have a new favorite place?”

  “Yep, for a special lady.” Aha, Morris turned on his blinker as a spot opened up.

  “Is it your boyfriend’s place?” Laila’s voice was all sweet innocence as Morris braked in the middle of parking. He turned to look at her only to find her watching him with all too curious bright eyes.

  “Who is talking to you about me and boyfriends?” Morris demanded.

  “No one. I overheard Aunt Makayla and Mom talking.” Laila shrugged as if it were no big deal. Behind them a car honked, and Morris muttered a few choice words under his breath as he turned his concentration back to
maneuvering into the space. “They’re trying to get Aunt Makayla’s friend to give them some dirt, but she’s not playing along.”

  God bless Rose. Morris made a mental note to thank her. He was having a hard enough time figuring out how he felt about Theo without his sisters complicating matters.

  “Okay.” Morris shut off the car and turned to Laila. “This is just between you and me. Solemnly swear?”

  Laila grinned and held up her pinkie finger. “I swear I’m up to no good.”

  “That’s my girl.” Morris linked pinkies with her. “Yes, we’re dating, but I have to have my best gal meet him before anyone else in the family. Who’s my best gal?”

  “Me!” Laila glowed, and then her brows came together in concern. “You know Mom’s going to find out we came here. She’s gonna ask me questions.”

  “True….” Morris considered the problem. “How do you feel about a little prank? A harmless one.”

  Laila nodded eagerly. “I love pranks.”

  Didn’t Morris know it. She was a girl after his own heart. “Okay, here’s what you do. When they start bugging you, you tell them I made you promise not to tell.”

  Laila’s eyes widened. “But that will make them bug me more.”

  “I know.” Morris smirked. “Hold out for a bit and then tell them he’s turning me into a vegan.”

  Laila’s eyes grew wide. “What’s a vegan?” she whispered.

  “Someone who only eats vegetables.” Morris nodded at Laila’s horrified expression. “Yeah, a nightmare, huh? Then tell them we’re talking about forming a hippie commune in Montana where we’ll raise alpacas and smoke w—” Morris cut himself off before finishing that one and hoped Laila didn’t catch on.

  “What’s a hippie commune?” Laila asked. “And are alpacas the drama llamas?”

  “Yes. The weird-looking animals with the long hair.” Morris drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he tried to figure out how to explain hippies to his niece. “You know the crazy white people who wear tie-dye shirts, have long hair, and believe in love, peace, and the power of a hug?”

  Laila nodded solemnly. “That’s a hippie? Then what’s a commune?”

  “Where they all live together and share everything. Now the key points are moving to Montana with alpacas. Got it? Oh and don’t forget the vegan.”

  “They’ll never believe me,” Laila said, though her eyes danced with mischief.

  “They will if you dole it out in little bits.” Morris thought about it a minute. “Actually, your mom will probably get wise to it fast. But your Aunt Makayla will eat it all up.” That was who he really wanted to get. He had to make sure he warned Theo to go along. There was no telling what Makayla would pass on to Rose.

  “It might work better if you just eat veggies tonight,” Laila suggested, all innocence. “Then if Aunt Makayla asks her friend, she’d be able to confirm you gave up meat.”

  Morris thought of the mouthwatering array of food Theo offered. That didn’t even include the daily specials. There was bound to be red meat in there somewhere. “There’s such a thing as taking a prank too far, Laila,” Morris said loftily as he opened the door. “You have to learn the difference.”

  Laila’s laughter followed him out as Morris popped open the trunk and unfolded her wheelchair. He made sure the wheels were locked and then let her be as Laila maneuvered herself into place. They’d all learned that though they wanted to hover, Laila was more than capable and much happier if they let her have her independence. He had no doubt one day she was going to be able to arm wrestle him into submission, because baby girl had gotten to be strong with all that swimming.

  “Where are we going?” Laila asked, wheeling her chair around as she eyed the row of restaurants.

  “See the one on the end with the blue-striped awning?” Morris pointed to the bistro alive with lights. “We have a table waiting for us on the deck. Theo promised to make it special.”

  As always on a Friday night, the bistro was hopping. Rose spied them as soon as they rolled through the door. “Morris and Miss Laila.” She came forward, holding out her hands. “It’s good to see you again.”

  Laila grinned, lifting her arms to hug as Rose stopped by her chair. Rose had been a frequent visitor to Makayla’s house, so Laila knew her better than Morris did. “Uncle Morris said we could sit out on the deck.”

  “Your uncle is right. We have your table waiting for you.” Rose tucked two menus under her arm. “Come right this way. It’s a beautiful night to be outside. Theo is very excited to have you here tonight. He told me to make sure everything was perfect.”

  As they made their way through the restaurant, Morris noticed Theo’s sister and her husband sitting in one of the booths near the front, talking with a steady stream of employees and guests as they ate. He lifted his hand in a wave as they went by. Jill looked good. The lines of exhaustion and worry had eased away, and she gave him a brilliant smile as she waved back.

  The warm late-summer breeze and humidity flowed over them as they emerged on the deck. A table by the railing with a spectacular view of the creek was waiting for them with a bouquet of sunflowers in a pitcher adding a bright splash of sunshine. Morris plucked the card hidden among the blossoms.

  For Laila, because you make the sun shine for your uncle. Enjoy. Theo.

  Morris’s heart pitter-pattered. It had never done that before. And with this one little gesture, Theo had him acting like a schoolgirl. “These are for you,” he said to Laila, handing over the card. “May they be the only flowers you receive from a boy for the next decade.”

  Happiness shone in Laila’s eyes, and a grin split her face as she read the card. Rose swatted him with the menus. “Ignore your uncle, Miss Laila. Receiving flowers from a boy, any boy, is one of life’s simple pleasures.”

  Laila’s grin widened. “Am I really your sunshine?”

  “That you are,” Morris said as Rose shifted one of the chairs aside so Laila had room to maneuver at her spot. “Thank you so much, Rose.” Morris waited until Laila had settled herself before taking a seat.

  “Our pleasure. I’ll let Theo know you’re here, and he’ll be out when he gets a chance.” Rose patted Morris’s shoulder and handed Laila a little packet of crayons. “May I get you anything to drink while you wait for your server?”

  “Can I have a soda, Uncle Morris?” Laila gave him a look of hopeful appeal.

  “Totally. This is our night on the town. Let’s go wild.” Morris glanced up at Rose’s laughing eyes. “Two root beers please, and if you see Lincoln, let him know we’re here too.”

  “I think he’s getting ready to clock out and sit with Jill until his friends get here.” Rose glanced into the main dining room. “I’ll let him know.”

  “Who’s Lincoln?” Laila asked as Rose walked away.

  “Theo’s brother. He likes comic books too.”

  “Does he like my comic book?” Once Laila started in on her questions, they never stopped.

  “I haven’t asked.” Morris knew Theo had bought a copy of the first book, but he didn’t know what he thought of it, or even if he actually read it. That was depressing. Of course, Morris could’ve gotten some balls and asked him. And it went both ways. How often had Morris asked about Theo’s job, unless there was an emergency? Or about the menu planning Theo got so excited about. The only time Morris asked about specials was when he was coming out to eat.

  Morris frowned. That kind of a disconnect was okay for a fling, but they ought to do better if they were going to be dating. He’d warmed up to the idea of having a boyfriend.

  “What are you going to draw?” Laila asked, handing him a crayon. “I’m going to draw Cassie.”

  “Of course you are. You two are like twins. I can’t catch either one of you.” Morris considered the blank brown paper in front of him and the green crayon in his hand. “How about the Green Lantern?”

  “Nope, you always do him. Draw something funny, Uncle Morris.” Laila bent over her pa
per and drew the blocky outline of a fat cat with spindly legs.

  They were lingering over dessert by the time it calmed down long enough for Theo to emerge. Morris’s heart gave a funny little leap when he saw him. God help him, Theo was turning him into a moody teenage girl who couldn’t decide if she was ecstatic or depressed.

  “Hey there.” He rubbed his hand over Morris’s shoulder in a warm welcome and grabbed a chair as he smiled engagingly at Laila. “You must be Miss Laila.”

  Laila beamed up at him as Theo sat down between them. “That’s me. Thank you for the flowers.”

  “Pleased to meet you, and I’m glad you liked them.” Theo took her hand and gallantly kissed her fingertips. “I’m Theo. Are you keeping your uncle on his toes?”

  “He’d be too tall if I did that,” Laila said with the pure candor of a child.

  “Good point, I’d get a permanent crick in my neck then.” Theo reached over and took Morris’s hand, idly rubbing his thumb over the back of his knuckles. He leaned over, studying the artwork on the table half-buried under empty plates. “Okay, help me out there. Both are critters, I think.” Theo tapped his finger against Laila’s. “Cat?”

  “Yep, it’s Cassie. Do you like it?” Laila grabbed her crayon and added in a word balloon with “meow” in it.

  “I do.” Theo studied it some more. “But I think you forgot her horns.”

  “That’s what Uncle Morris said.” Laila cocked her head, then drew two spikes between her triangle ears.

  Theo turned to Morris’s and his brows arched. “Now, I’m at a loss for that green monster. Is it your new Chessie?”

  Laila started giggling. “It’s an alpaca with dreads.”

  “Really?” Theo looked at the picture again and shook his head with a smile. “Now I see it. So Morris tells me you like basketball.”

  Laila’s eyes lit up. “I love it!”

  Morris realized he shouldn’t have worried one moment about the two of them meeting. Both Theo and Laila had the same teasing nature, and both dearly loved to be outside getting sweaty.