by Ari McKay
“If there was, don’t you think Mama and I would have told you?” Lola asked. “We’ve been going to that shop for a long time, you know, and we’ve talked to ladies who’ve been regulars there since it opened. It’s hard to hide anything from that many women, and more than one of them regrets that Jason couldn’t be their son-in-law.”
“Really? Huh.” Tomy rubbed his chin thoughtfully. It was reassuring to know that Jason had not only the approval of Tomy’s mother and sister but also of all the knitting-circle regulars. “Does Mama want him for a son-in-law?” he asked lightly, trying to convince himself he was only joking.
“Mama wants you to be happy,” she replied with a shrug. “She wasn’t happy about Sean, but she would have accepted him for your sake.”
“But you think she’d accept Jason? I mean, if we keep going. Like… long term….” He trailed off awkwardly before he could dig himself into a deeper hole.
Lola looked at him for a long moment, her expression far more serious than it normally was, and then she seemed to take pity on him. “Yes, Tomasito, I think so. Because it’s obvious he adores you as you deserve and because you do seem happy.”
“I am. I really am.” Tomy shrugged. “That’s why I’m so scared. I keep thinking it can’t be real. It can’t last. It didn’t with Sean.”
“But Jason is a different man than Sean,” Lola pointed out. “He’s more mature, for one thing. I’ve talked to him, you know, during the knitting circle. He seems to have his head on straight, and I’ve never heard any self-pity for his loss of fame and fortune when he was injured.” She tilted her head. “How do you think Sean would have acted if he’d been knocked out of dancing because of an injury?”
Tomy snorted and rolled his eyes. Considering Sean could turn even little problems into full-on drama, he’d probably go into permanent meltdown mode over something as serious as a career-ending knee injury. “God. I don’t even want to think about it.”
“I think you have your answer right there, don’t you?” Lola leaned over to pat Tomy on the knee. “You already know what you want, Tomasito. You just have to admit it to yourself.”
“Hmph!” Tomy shot an aggrieved look at her. “We’ll see. I’m still not going to rush into anything.”
“That’s okay, brother dear, you take your time,” Lola replied serenely, picking her knitting up once again. “You’re lucky Jason seems to be a very patient man and that no one is trying to steal him from you.”
The very idea made Tomy go cold inside, and he stared at Lola, wide-eyed. “You don’t think that could happen, do you? I mean, he said he didn’t want anyone but me. Do you think he could change his mind?”
Lola shook her head. “No, I don’t think he will change his mind. I think he is the faithful sort, like Papa and Gabriel. He’ll give his heart away only once, and whoever he gives it to will have it forever.”
Tomy nodded, hoping her assessment was right. He didn’t like the thought of someone else wooing and winning Jason, although he wasn’t ready to examine what that implied about his own feelings too closely either.
“Anyway, what about those socks?” he asked, trying to steer her toward safer topics. “You need to help me pick out some yarn.”
“He likes jewel tones,” Lola replied at once. “If you’ve noticed the things he has around the shop, most of them are in strong, masculine tones. Of course black is also a good color for socks—and it has the advantage of hiding mistakes easily.”
“Would the cables show up as well with black yarn?” Tomy asked.
“No, they wouldn’t. So… maybe a dark blue or green?” She shrugged. “What do you think he’d like? You’ve been inside his home, I haven’t. Nor have I seen his underwear, as you have.” The smile she gave him was positively wicked.
Tomy stuck out his tongue at her. “I think he’d like green better. I wonder if I should buy the yarn online. He’s hardly ever away from the shop unless he’s with me, and I don’t want him to know why I’m buying green sock yarn.”
“Or I could buy it for you,” Lola offered. “He wouldn’t think twice about what I want it for.”
“Do you mind?” Tomy offered a grateful smile. “Maybe a solid dark green so the cables show up well. I’ll pay you back.”
Lola waved a hand. “Of course I don’t mind. And don’t worry about payback. Jason refuses to let Mama and me pay for yarn. He said it’s the least he can do in return for his lessons.”
“Aha!” Tomy grinned and wagged his finger at her. “Now I get it. You and Mama want me to hook up with Jason so you get your yarn fix for free.”
“I believe it is called a win-win situation,” Lola replied tartly. “You get to have sex with the gorgeous hunk who adores you, and we get yarn. Would you rather have the yarn instead?”
Tomy smiled smugly. “Actually, I get both.”
Chapter Twelve
AN UNACCUSTOMED nervousness struck Jason as he stood at the front door of the Peralta house. He was normally a confident man, a necessary trait both in his former career and his current one. But somehow neither playing football nor running a successful business seemed quite as important to him as the step he was about to take today. Because nothing in his life had ever been as important to him as Tomy.
This was, in fact, only the first step along a path he hoped would lead to a great deal of happiness for both of them, but it was an important one. His family was important to Tomy, and Jason was well aware that Tomy was equally important to them. Which was why he needed their support and why he was standing in front of their door, hoping they’d be willing to give it. If they didn’t… well, he’d cross that bridge if and when it became necessary. So he straightened his shoulders, drew in a deep breath, and knocked.
The door opened almost at once to reveal Lola standing there with a slight smile. “Hey, Jason,” she greeted him. “Come on in.”
“Hey, Lola,” he replied, stepping in and glancing around. The Peraltas lived in a decent part of town, and their house was neat and comfortable, but not too fancy. It was a family home, and it had the air of a place that was lived in and loved, much like the house Jason had grown up in.
“Mama and Papa are in the family room, this way.” Lola beckoned for him to follow her, and she led the way to the back of the house. They passed through a cozy kitchen into a larger room with walls paneled in golden oak and hung with more pictures than Jason had ever seen in his life. There were trophies and ribbons, too, and he realized the prizes weren’t Tomy and Lola’s alone. They spanned three generations. It was an impressive collection, and Jason couldn’t help smiling as he glimpsed a large photo of a much younger Tomy and Lola attired in sequined costumes, caught in the middle of a breathtaking lift. He pulled his gaze away, however, and forced himself to focus on Tomy’s parents, seated together on a small sofa under yet another wall of photos.
“Jason!” Ana Lucia stood up and approached him with her hands outstretched. “How nice to see you outside the shop. Can I get you anything? I’ve got sweet tea.”
“No, ma’am, thank you, though.” Jason took her hands, giving them a squeeze. He caught sight of an afghan draped over the sofa, and he recognized the yarn as being the one Tomy had bought for her the previous Christmas. “I see you finished the afghan. It looks beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She beamed proudly up at him. “Tomy said you helped him pick out the yarn and pattern. It was a good choice.” She gestured to her husband, who nodded. “I don’t think you’ve met George, have you? Jason Winters, this is my husband, George Peralta. George, this is the nice young man who owns the yarn shop.”
George stood up and eyed Jason up and down, seeming to assess him silently. Jason must have passed the test, however, because George offered his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Jason smiled, relieved that he’d at least passed muster with Tomy’s father. He shook hands with George. “Nice to meet you as well, sir,” he replied, meeting George’s gaze. The elder Peralta had the same lithe dancer’
s build as Tomy, and Jason had sometimes seen him at the studio, teaching classes or coaching young couples. He also had a full measure of the charisma Jason had noticed in the pictures of Tomy’s grandfather and which had been passed on to Tomy himself.
“Have a seat.” George gestured to one of the free chairs as he and Ana Lucia sat down on the sofa again. Lola took another chair, giving him an encouraging nod.
“What can we do for you?” Ana Lucia fixed him with a bright, expectant look as if she suspected why he’d asked to come over.
Jason sat down on the edge of his seat and drew in a deep breath. He wasn’t surprised that Ana Lucia probably already knew why he was there, but he still had to say the words. “I’m sure you know Tomy and I have been dating for several months,” he began. He told his heart to stop pounding and then continued. “The fact is, I’m in love with your son. I know four months doesn’t seem like a lot of time for a couple to get to know one another, but Tomy and I were friends before that, and I believe we have a great deal in common. I know Tomy’s last boyfriend hurt him horribly, and it has taken Tomy quite a while to get over the damage Sean caused him. But I think he’s recovered, and even though he’s still cautious, I think Tomy loves me too. Which is why I wanted to ask you both for permission to ask your son to marry me.”
“That other boy was a gold digger,” George said grimly. “Tomy doesn’t need anyone who’s after him for the security he can provide.”
“Don’t be silly!” Ana Lucia swatted his shoulder. “Jason owns his own yarn shop. Tell him how long you’ve been in business,” she said, then turned back to her husband without giving Jason a chance to respond. “He isn’t a dancer, and he doesn’t need the studio or any of our connections.”
“Sir, I’ve owned my own business for over four years now, and it’s doing very well.” Jason gave Ana Lucia a grateful smile. “Before that, I played professional football, and I saved my earnings. I own my own home and have a very comfortable nest egg. I’m not rich, but I’m well off, especially because my father and brother are both accountants and have invested my money for me far better than I could have done on my own. My only interest in your studio is because of Tomy, not the other way around. I’ll sign a prenuptial agreement, if it will help ease your mind. I want Tomy’s love, not his inheritance.”
George seemed appeased by that. “Whether you sign a prenup is something for you and Tomy to discuss. It would make me feel better, but I’m not marrying you,” he said, earning another swat from his wife, who tsked at him.
“It’s a good thing, too, because I doubt he’d have you,” she retorted.
“Well, Tomy did get his charm from somewhere,” Jason said, smiling slightly. “But I won’t fight Mrs. Peralta for you, sir. She got you first, fair and square.”
Lola chuckled. “Jason, you’re bad.”
George rolled his eyes, but he smiled slightly as well. “Nice try.” He paused, eyeing Jason again. “Ana Lucia and Lola like you. They both spoke highly of you even before you started chasing after Tomy, which works in your favor. From what I can tell, you’re a vast improvement on his last boyfriend.”
“Thank you, sir.” Jason felt his confidence rising. “So does that mean I have your permission?”
“You do,” George affirmed. “But I can’t speak for anyone else, especially not Tomy.”
“You have my blessing as well,” Ana Lucia said, beaming at Jason. “I think you and Tomy are a perfect match, just like me and my George.” She wrapped her arms around George, hugging him tight and kissing his cheek, and he blushed, looking a little embarrassed, but he smiled as well, leaning into his wife’s embrace.
“I’ll toss my permission in too,” Lola added, her smile playful. “A brother-in-law with a yarn shop… I think I make out pretty well on the deal.”
Jason grinned, happiness and relief making him feel a little giddy. Oh, he was well aware Tomy could turn him down, but he didn’t think that was going to happen. Which brought him to the second reason for his visit. “Thank you, all of you,” he said fervently. “I really appreciate it. And since you’ve been so kind as to give your support, I wanted to ask one thing further.”
“Of course!” Ana Lucia turned her attention back to Jason, nodding eagerly. “I want Tomy to be happy, and I’ll be glad to help with anything to that end.”
“Thanks. It’s a little complicated. I know last Christmas was ruined for Tomy because of what Sean did, so I want to make this Christmas especially memorable. There’s also something I said to Tomy several months ago, something I think will help convince him that he’s the only man I want, and I want him forever.”
Lola tilted her head, her eyes alight with curiosity. “What do you want to do, Jason?”
Drawing in a deep breath, Jason laid it all on the line. “So it’s a month until Christmas… does anyone have any ideas for choreographing a marriage proposal tango?”
Chapter Thirteen
THE DAY of the holiday recital was as stressful and hectic as usual, and Tomy was right in the thick of it. The largest room had been closed off so they could set up chairs and decorate, but every other room was occupied by performers who wanted to get in some last-minute practice. The energy and activity in the studio were at their highest levels during the December and May recitals, and Tomy enjoyed it immensely—especially since he wasn’t performing himself, just providing moral support for his students.
His day centered around calming students’ nerves, finding practice space, and making sure the decorations were coming along on schedule, and he didn’t have any time to take a moment for himself to breathe and eat a sandwich until after five o’clock. That was when he retreated to his office for a brief time-out. The recital started at seven, so he had a while to relax and hope no fires popped up in the next few minutes.
He’d just bitten into the peanut butter and jelly sandwich he’d stashed in his desk drawer that morning when someone knocked on his door. With a sigh, he put down the sandwich, chewed, and swallowed, making sure he could talk around the peanut butter before calling out, “Come in!”
The door opened—and Sean stepped inside, smiling at him as if it had only been a few days since they’d seen each other rather than a whole year.
“Hello, Tomy. Mind if I come in?”
“Actually, I do.” Tomy rose to his feet and fixed Sean with a hard stare. Sean was as handsome as ever, but his looks didn’t do anything for Tomy this time. Tomy didn’t feel any of the old attraction or chemistry, not so much as a single spark. All he could see was how Sean suffered in comparison to Jason. “But you’re here, so you might as well come in. Leave the door open,” he added, listening to the little voice that said he didn’t want to be closed up in a room alone with Sean. It might not completely derail the dramatic scene Tomy suspected was coming, but it might help tone it down a little.
“It’s good to see you.” Sean let his gaze roam up and down Tomy’s body, an appreciative light in his eyes, which irritated Tomy. Sean had given up the right to ogle him like that a year ago.
“What do you want, Sean?” Tomy crossed his arms, wanting to cut through the games and get to the point. “I assume you didn’t come all the way from the West Coast to pay a social call.”
“No….” Sean rubbed the back of his head. “Oh, Tomy, it’s been so hard! I’ve spent all year going to one audition after another for nothing! I ended up having to wait tables again. I couldn’t even find a job as a dancing instructor. You wouldn’t believe the competition….”
The story continued, but Tomy tuned it out. He’d heard everything he needed to in the first sentence from what Sean didn’t say, but he let Sean ramble, waiting for him to wind down at last.
“…Finally, the money ran out, so I came home. I realized I was wrong to leave in the first place.” Sean took a few steps closer, gazing at Tomy hopefully. “I was wrong to leave you. All I want is a second chance. Maybe I could even teach here, so we can work together like we always talked about.”
<
br /> “What about Julia?” Tomy asked, wondering if Sean had spoken to the owner of the studio he’d worked at and competed for before.
“She replaced me, and she doesn’t have any openings,” Sean replied, a hint of bitterness in his voice, and Tomy nodded. That told him quite a lot. Even now, Tomy wasn’t Sean’s first priority, but his safety net that he fell back on if none of his other, better prospects worked out.
“Unfortunately, I don’t either.” Tomy drew himself up proudly, feeling as if he was seeing Sean clearly for the first time, and he didn’t like what he saw at all. “Not at the studio, not as a dancing partner, and not as a significant other.”
Sean was visibly stunned, as if that wasn’t an option he’d considered possible. No doubt, in Sean’s mind, he could waltz back in and pick up where he left off. “But I love you! I want us to try again!”
“If you loved me, the first words out of your mouth would have been ‘I’m sorry,’ but I haven’t heard that yet,” Tomy retorted, staring at Sean with growing dislike. “You are such an asshole. Mama and Lola were right about you. I should have listened to them, and I definitely shouldn’t have wasted even a few hours, let alone months feeling bad because of you.”
“But I am sorry, Tomy,” Sean pleaded, his big blue eyes shimmering with tears.
It was a tactic that had successfully manipulated Tomy in the past, making him feel guilty for hurting Sean, but Tomy was immune this time. The only one who had hurt Sean in this situation was Sean. Tomy was done, and he felt a heady lightness as he cut the ties to his past with Sean, letting it all go at last.
“That’s nice, but even if I believed you, I don’t care.” Tomy pointed to the door. “You’d better go. See, I have a new partner on and off the dance floor. He loves me and treats me a hell of a lot better than you ever did, so if you think I’m giving him up for you, you’re crazy.”
