“Hey, cher! How you been?” Alain grabbed Peter up and hugged him tight. “I missed your face.”
Peter laughed and hugged Alain back hard. “I am fantastic. You look great. I can’t wait to catch-up. Come on.” Peter hooked an arm around Alain’s waist as they walked through the boutique, headed for the elevator at the back. Isaac gave them room. This was why they were here after all. Checking up on Brandon was a convenient excuse. “Whatever you brought smells amazing.”
“Just ends and odds that I could find. Corn bread, red beans and rice, veggie gumbo.”
“Oh, gumbo.” Peter sounded excited. “Oh Master Brandon is going to love that. Plus, it’s easy to eat one-handed.”
“And how is the patient doing, Peter?”
Peter grinned at him. “When he can spank me with that hand again, I’m probably going to regret it, but I’ve been making him rest, Sir.”
He laughed. “Good boy. I’ll put in a good word on your behalf to make sure your punishment is extra enjoyable.”
“Thank you, Sir. I appreciate it.” Peter chuckled softly, kissed Alain’s cheek and hit the elevator button. “He’s going to be so pleased that it’s not another sandwich.”
The elevator was wide and roomy, but it wasn’t quiet, mechanics grinding all the way up to the top floor. The doors opened up right into the huge apartment, and Peter led them toward the kitchen. “Have you been up here before, Alain?”
“Well, yes, but not as a visitor. This is better.”
“Oh right. Right. Sorry. Well, yes, this is way better.”
Brandon’s kitchen was bright with big windows on one side and, because it was accessible, it was roomy too. Brandon was sitting at a round table and set his phone down as they came in. “Well, hello and welcome.”
“Mr. Brandon! Good to see you! Are you well?” Alain’s words were warm and a touch too bright, like he was hiding his nerves.
“I’m fine, except for this damn cast on my wrist.” Brandon rolled his eyes. “Come over here and give me a hug, boy.”
Alain hugged Brandon hard. “Poor arm. I bet you’re itching like fire.”
“A bit.” As their hug ended, Brandon held Alain at arm’s length. “You’re okay.”
“Yes, Sir. I’m trying hard to put all the bits back together.” Alain smiled, trying so hard to be brave.
“Isaac and Neil are good men. You’re in good hands, I promise.”
That felt good. Both that Brandon had his back, and that he was reassuring Alain too.
“Yes, Sir. Thank you for…for everything. I was hurting bad.”
Peter circled Alain’s waist with one arm as he stepped up beside his friend. “Alain brought us some food.”
Isaac chuckled. “Alain’s been cooking for us at home, and I’m going to very happily gain a hundred pounds if I keep letting him do it.”
“It’s all healthy stuff.” Alain winked at him.
Right. Just the corn bread was packed with butter.
“From scratch is always healthy.” Peter gave Alain a wink in return. “Let’s get it in the fridge. You want to see what I’ve been working on?”
“Always. You got a way with wood.”
Peter’s laugh filled the air. “Naughty, naughty.”
He chuckled. “I should chastise them or something, shouldn’t I?” He stuck out a hand, the wrong one, so Brandon could shake it. “Good to see you.”
“Great to see you, man. Come on in and have a seat.” Brandon led him into the den, which was lush and cozy, and he took a seat in a leather armchair.
“Have you remodeled this room since the last time I was here?”