“Oh, I’m not fooled.” Charles grinned. “I know why you’re here.”
“I’m here for my family, and you’re part of that now.” Roper winked. “Poor guy.”
“Woe is me. If it means I get cookies and eggnog you are welcome any time.” Charles smiled at Roper, then turned and winked at him. “We’ve been looking forward to having you. Please make yourself at home.”
“Thank you. So this is home?”
Ryder chuckled. “Home is the lake house. This is the apartment.”
Charles shrugged. “Ryder makes everywhere we go home.”
Ryder’s entire soul just melted, and he couldn’t stop smiling.
Roper shook his head. “Damn, y’all. You’re so sweet it makes my teeth hurt.”
“You just like spicy, Bubba. Leave us to our sweet.”
Roper nodded. “Hey, who am I to judge? Happy is happy. And it’s Christmas.”
“Yes. It is. And we’re going to have one hell of a great vacation!” Ryder was so tickled. His lover, his twin, New York City.
Charles nodded. “We have dinner plans tonight, one of Ryder’s favorites, and I think he wanted your assistance with decorating the tree. Tomorrow we’ll take you to a men’s club that a couple of my friends belong to. I’m sure Ryder has told you about the place.”
“Yeah. Yes, Sir. I—I’m looking forward to that…” Roper licked his lips.
“No doubt you are.” Charles sounded amused and hid a grin behind a sip of eggnog.
Ryder didn’t want to think about that. At all.
He would just focus on Mister Charlie.
Charles didn’t shy away at all. “I’ve been asked whether you’re interested in being set up, or if you’d prefer to mingle and meet people?”
“From what my brother says, I’m better off getting introduced around, right? I don’t want to waste time.”
“Wise. I’ll get you in touch with someone tomorrow so you can discuss what you need. They’re quite welcoming to—” Charles looked thoughtful, like he was choosing his words carefully. “Newcomers.”
“They were amazing to me. So kind.” Ryder had been welcomed with open arms, in fact.
“They are kind. That’s an excellent assessment. It’s a good place. I’ve been visiting with friends there for a few years. Not often, but enough that I know my way around now.”
“Well, I know how to be on my very best behavior.” Roper beamed at him.
“Good to know, but I think anyone there would tell you to just be yourself.”
Roper’s grin just went wider, and Ryder knew that look meant naughtiness.
Charles shook his head, smiling indulgently at Roper. “I picked the right twin.”
“I hope so. I’d be lost if you decided you liked his ugly mug instead.” In fact, he’d be devastated, but he knew that Charles loved him for him.
Charles laughed, bright and happy. “I hate to break it to you, Ryder, but he has the samemugthat you do. It’s a handsome mug. But I look deeper.”
“Hey! I’m deep!” Roper winked at him, and they both cracked up, Ryder leaning into his lover.
Mister Charlie put an arm around his shoulders. He loved how Charles showed real interest in his brother. “You must be relieved to have a break.”
“I am. It’s harder than you’d think, going it alone.” Roper shrugged, so unhappy. “I’m used to having Ry.”