The Way To My Heart

Lanet quickly changed out of his work clothes and made his way back to the kitchen, pacing restlessly as he waited for Beau to return. He glanced at Zane, who was still seated at the kitchen island, sipping a glass of water.

"Maybe I should go check on him," Lanet was starting to worry.

Zane waved a dismissive hand. "Give him a little more time. He'll come back. He didn't look like he was running away."

Lanet sighed heavily, drumming his fingers against the counter. He wanted to trust Zane's words, but the unease in his chest wouldn't fade. If Beau didn't return by sundown, Lanet was determined to go after him.

As night fell, Lanet pushed back his chair, ready to search for Beau. Just as he stood, the sound of soft footsteps echoed through the hall.

"Hell, Beau, where were you?" Lanet sighed in relief.

Beau hesitated at the doorway, his shoulders rising and falling as he let out a deep breath. "I'm sorry for walking off without saying anything. I needed time to process... everything. My new life, I guess." He straightened himself and gave Lanet a small smile. "Let's eat. Help me set the table?"

Lanet nodded and moved to assist, while Beau carried the prepared dishes to the dining room table.

"Zane," Lanet called over his shoulder, "grab a bottle of white wine for Beau and whiskey for us in the cellar."

Zane rolled his eyes but complied, muttering something about being reduced to a servant. Lanet only smirked and focused on getting the table ready. Before long, the three of them were seated, the spread of food laid out neatly before them.

Awkward silence stretched across the table, broken only by the clink of utensils. 

"This tastes so good," Zane said suddenly, holding out his plate with a grin. "May I have some more, please?"

Lanet felt grateful for Zane's effortless ability to break the tension. 

Beau smiled faintly and passed the serving bowl across the table. "Please, have as much as you like."

Zane leaned back in his chair, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Maybe you should teach Lanny a thing or two about cooking," he said, shooting Lanet a funny look.

Lanet raised an eyebrow, sensing the jab. "At least I know how to fry an egg," he retorted, fully aware that Zane didn't have a clue how to cook even the simplest of meals.

Beau chuckled mid-bite. "How long have you two known each other?" he asked curiously. The two seemed very close.

"I don't know, what is it now? Twenty-four or twenty-five years?" Lanet mused, glancing at Zane.

"It's twenty-four years," Zane corrected with pride, as if the number were a badge of honor.

Beau's eyes widened. "Damn, that's almost my entire lifetime."

"How old are you?" Zane's genuine surprise made Beau laugh.

"Twenty-nine," Beau replied casually, taking another sip of wine.

Zane's wide eyesflicked between Lanet and Beau. 

"Wait a second... How old are you, Lanet?" Now it was Beau's turn to look incredulous.

"You didn't ask his age?" Zane leaned forward with a wicked grin.

"I was a little busy falling for him, Zane," Beau replied, his gaze shifting to Lanet. A playful smile curved his lips. "Asking his age didn't exactly cross my mind at the time."

Zane was about to make a snarky comment when Lanet noticed and groaned. "Don't make this sound ridiculous, Zane. I'm not that old."

But before he could defend himself further, Beau burst into a hearty laugh, and Zane soon followed. Lanet sighed, but the infectious energy pulled a chuckle from him too.

"Fine," Lanet said finally. "I'll be forty-five in two weeks."

"Nooooo," Beau gasped, dramatically cupping his cheeks as though in distress.

Zane threw his head back, laughter erupting from him as he slapped a hand on the table. The deep, hearty sound echoed through the dining room.

"Is it that bad?" Lanet asked, raising an eyebrow as he took a sip of his drink to hide his reddenning cheeks.

"I'm just pulling your leg, love," Beau replied, still chuckling softly. His tone turned gentle as he reached out to squeeze Lanet's hand. "I don't really care. I'm past the point of caring now."

Zane grinned as he filled their glasses with more alcohol.

"Heyyy, he has work tomorrow," Beau interjected, covering Lanet's glass with his hand, his brows knitted together in concern as he eyed Zane.

"So responsible," Zane grinned.

By the time dinner was finished, Zane and Beau had drifted into a conversation about health issues and ways to tackle them. Lanet leaned back in his chair, content to listen, watching as Beau became more engaged with Zane's probing questions.

"Wow, Lanny didn't tell me you were a doctor," Zane said, leaning forward with genuine admiration in his tone.

"Well, I'm not exactly official," Beau replied modestly, his fingers tracing the rim of his glass.

"But you've got your license. That's all that matters. You're so smart," Zane said with a wide grin. "If Lanny won't convince you to work for him, I'm stealing you."

Beau glanced at Lanet, his cheeks dusted with a faint blush as he sipped his drink, clearly trying to hide his embarrassment. Compliments always seemed to throw him off, and it made him endearing in ways Lanet couldn't put into words.

"Lanet, how is it that you haven't hired him yet?" Zane asked, his tone shifting to something more serious. Lanet knew better than to dismiss the question—Zane had a habit of spotting potential and acting on it.

"Well," Lanet began, "Beau invests most of his time and skills in helping healthcare facilities that actually need it. What would I look like taking him away from that?"

Beau smiled shyly, his gaze dropping to his drink as Lanet's lips curved into a small, proud smile.

"Really? Beau, can you tell me more?" Zane asked curiously.

Beau chuckled nervously, glancing between Zane and Lanet. "It's no big deal, really."

"But I want to know," Zane insisted.

Beau hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke. "I don't know if Lanet told you, but I come from a middle-class background. Things aren't exactly great in my area, so I spend most of my time volunteering at the clinic or helping with community work."

"Where do you work?" Zane asked, clearly intrigued.

"Uh, I don't," Beau admitted, casting a cautious side glance at Lanet.

"You're telling me you trade your skills for free? Why don't you just work at a hospital and get paid?" Zane's tone was incredulous, though not unkind.

Beau's shoulders tensed slightly. It was clear the line of questioning made him uncomfortable. Especially considering he was a kleptomaniac and would rather keep his life a secret.