Chapter 4

“Ian, dear, you are coming with me to my parent’s house for dinner.”

His beloved had been in the process of chowing down on a piece of bacon when he blurted out those words. The surprise registered on Ian’s face mere seconds before he started coughing. Stephan was quick to his feet, around the table in a flash, thumping a hand against Ian’s back. The last thing he wanted was for his news to harm the one person in life that brought him the greatest joy. He passed a glass of orange juice to Ian, reconsidering his original idea to have the conversation over breakfast. It might have been better to wait, even if it made the meal awkward. However, the cat was out of the bag, so to speak, and he saw no reason to turn back now. Therefore, once Ian had managed to compose himself somewhat, his face an unpleasant shade of red, Stephan forged ahead.

“I’ve already cleared it with Mom and she’s excited,” he said, taking his seat. “She also told me it was about time.”