Smile Only To Me 🤍 Bohn/Duen

Chapter 7 ~ set up ~

"is he ok? what happened?" Tap asked.

"we think it's something he ate, he's not used to our really spicy food after all" Lon added

"is there anything I can do to help?" Tap asked.

"no, I'm taking care of my baby, he's in bed at the moment but you go ahead and enjoy the food with Chet"

"there's far too much for us Lon"

"then put it in the fridge, there's always tomorrow and the day after, look I have to go mate, I can hear Andy stirring" Lon said.

"yes, yes you go ahead, call me if you need anything" Tap replied.

"will do mate, goodnight" Lon said ending the call and winked at Andy who was sat munching on potato chips while watching a BL drama

"you fibber" he teased his fiancé

"it's all for a good cause" Lon replied smiling and going to join Andy on the sofa.

Back at the cottages, Tap looked over at Chet who was gazing across the gulf, the sun had set, the string lights had come on and the sky was a beautiful shade of blue but it would start turning grey very soon.

"They can't make it Chet, Andy is sick" Tap told him.

"oh right, then I guess I'll take off" Chet replied turning to head back to his cottage.

"wait, are you really going to leave me to eat all this food by myself? Tap asked.

"I don't want to impose" Chet replied.

"but you were happy to come when Lon and Andy were going to come, what's the difference?"

"I guess you have a point, then if you're sure it's ok?" Chet asked him.

"positive, let me take two place settings away and put the fish on to grill" Tap said rearranging the table.

Chet sat down at the table and Tap joined him before pouring them some of the medium dry white which had been in the hamper. They toasted to Tap finding his dream home then munched on breadsticks while they waited for the bass to grill.

The view was stunningly beautiful at this time of the evening and when the bass was cooked, Tap plated it up and brought it to the table. The leafy salad and the sweet potato went well with the grilled seabass and the citrus of the orange segments added a tangy dressing.

They could hear soft music which drifted over from the beach bar at the resort, sometimes it was clear then it would fade as the gentle breeze carried it in another direction.

After dinner, the pair chatted,

"this is nice isn't it" Tap said.

"it is, even though I live here, I very rarely get to enjoy the evenings like this" Chet replied.

"you should make time"

"you sound like my mother" Chet laughed.

"she sound's like a wise woman" Tap replied.

"you said your grandparents lived here, what about the property that they lived in?" Chet asked.

"I can't actually remember where it was, it's so long since I saw them and they passed away while we were in the States. I can remember visiting when I was very little and playing with a kid on the beach but I can't remember his name" Tap replied.

"may I ask what their names were, I might be able to find out for you?" Chet asked him.

"sure, Sakda & Malai Saetang" Tap replied.

"I'll ask my parents as soon as I can and get back to you" Chet said as he typed the names into his phone.

"great thank you, I don't honestly know why we lost contact unless it was because money was so tight after my father died and by the time I made anything worthwhile, mum was always working" Tap said holding the ring around his neck.

Chet noticed his actions but he didn't want to pry, he would do everything in his power to find out about Tap's grandparents for him. It was getting quite dark now so they carried the dishes inside and decided to take a little walk further down the beach beyond Chet's cottage.

There were still string lights but the beach became narrower and there was a grassy bank. When they reached the point where the lights stopped they sat on the grass to rest.

"thankyou for helping me today Chet" Tap said.

"that's ok, what else would I do since Lon has kicked me out of the resort for a few days" he laughed.

"you could have visited your family" Tap said.

"why don't we go tomorrow, it might jog your memory of your grandparents?" Chet suggested.

"a great idea, again, thank you"

"it's nothing ... Tap, can I ask you something?"

"sure"

"why did you ... earlier in the car"

"what, insist on driving" he laughed.

"you're going to make me say it aren't you?" Chet said.

"you mean the kiss? I just wanted to I guess, I feel irritated when I see you smiling at others and I didn't like that Phong guy flirting with you" Tap replied honestly.

"we've known each other for years Tap, I think if he wanted to pursue me he would have done so by now" Chet said.

"but still ..."

"but why would it matter to you anyway Tap, are you saying you like me?" Chet asked.

"hell no! I'm not into dudes" Tap said too quickly then regretted his outburst.

"I guess we should be getting back" Chet said standing up and brushing down his pants.

"yeah, another long day tomorrow"

"what time do you want to set off?" Chet asked.

"The same as today I guess, do you want to come round for breakfast again?"

"I don't think I should Tap, I think we should keep things strictly business from now on and no more kissing, lets just forget about earlier on, pretend it never happened" Chet said.

"then I'll come by about 8am, is that ok?" Tap asked.

"I'll be ready"

They retraced their steps until they reached Chet's cottage,

"I'll come and help wash the dishes first"

"no need, it will give me something to do"

"then, if you're sure ... goodnight Tap"

"goodnight Chet, see you tomorrow"

Chet walked into his cottage and Tap watched as a light came on inside then he walked across to his own place before going inside to start washing the dishes. As he worked he thought about the evening and their conversations.

Why the hell did I have to say that about not liking him but then again I was only telling the truth, I've never been attracted to a dude before and certainly never kissed one, Tap thought as he lifted his soapy fingers to his own lips as he remembered the feeling,

so why the hell did I do that and why did it feel so right?

***

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