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“Maddie, what do I even bring to a dinner party?”

“Something you would eat for dinner, Buck. It’s a dinner party.”

“But, like, what kind of dinner?”

“What do you mean what kind of dinner?”

“Like, is it a fancy dinner? Casual dinner? Finger-food dinner?”

Maddie let out a long sigh. “It’s dinner, Buck. Whatever you decide to bring is good.”

“But Maddie, sometimes dinner for me is a hot pickle and a slim Jim from the gas station. I feel like I shouldn’t bring a hot pickle and a slim Jim to your dinner party.”

“Okay, well, obviously don’t bring a hot pickle and a slim Jim to my dinner party,” Maddie snorted. “Chim is making braised short ribs, so whatever you think goes with that.”

“That is super unhelpful, Maddie. I don’t even know what braised short ribs are.”

“Well, I don’t know, Buck! Bring some kind of potato or a veggie tray or whatever you want!”

“What if I want to bring a hot pickle and a slim Jim?”

“Okay, you know what? I’m done with this conversation. I’m hanging up.”

“Wait! Maddie, wait,” Buck laughed. “I’m sorry. I just—I’ve never been to a dinner party. I don’t know the etiquette.”

“I’ve never hosted a dinner party, Buck. We’re both out of our element. Just bring whatever. It’ll be fine.”

“What if I bring something that Chim doesn’t like?”

“He’ll survive.”

“What if I bring something his coworkers don’t like? I mean, it’s my first time meeting them. I should make a good first impression.”

“Buck, they won’t judge you based on what you bring to dinner. They’re very accepting people.”

“Even if I bring a hot pickle and a slim Jim?”

Maddie huffed. “Even then.”

“Okay.” Buck stood up from his couch and wandered into the kitchen, opening the fridge. “I have some Tollhouse cookies here.”

“Those sound great. Maybe bring a bottle of wine, too.”

“Copy that, sis. So I’ll see you tonight then?”

“See you tonight. Appetizers at six.”

“Oh! Hot pickle and slim Jim for appetizers!”

“Bye Buck!” The call ended before Buck could say anything back. He laughed.

Chimney and Maddie had just moved into their new place together, so as a housewarming, Chimney wanted to host a dinner party. It wasn’t going to be a big event, by any means. Just some of Chim and Maddie’s closest friends from work.

Buck was going to be the odd one out. Not that he cared, necessarily, but he wasn’t sure he’d be able to connect with any of Maddie’s fellow dispatchers or Chimney’s fellow firefighters. He was a fourth-grade teacher. There wasn’t really any common ground between fourth-grade teachers and firefighters.

But he was excited to see Maddie and Chimney. They’d been so busy with moving and unpacking that it'd been a couple of weeks since he’d last seen them.

He couldn’t show up with Tollhouse cookies. Like, what kind of impression is he making then? That he’s lazy? That he doesn’t care enough about being invited to this party and meeting these new people?

Because he does. He does care a lot, actually, so no. Tollhouse cookies would not do.

He turned away from the fridge and opened the cupboard above the stove, pulling out the recipe book of one-hundred-and-fifty different desserts. He flipped to the first page.

Homemade chocolate chip cookies? Always a hit, but too easy. Right on par with Tollhouse cookies.

He flipped to the next page.

Homemade double-fudge brownies? Almost as easy as chocolate chip cookies.

He flipped to the next page.

Homemade New York style cheesecake with homemade salted caramel sauce? Tempting. But he’d never made a cheesecake before and he wasn’t really sure he wanted to start experimenting with it just a few hours before the party.

He continued to flip through the book until he came to a recipe for raspberry lemon macarons. He’d made macarons before. Those came easy to him, somehow.

They’d probably be a crowd pleaser too. Something light, refreshing, and aesthetically pleasing.

Buck looked at the time. 1:42 pm. A little over four hours until appetizers.

“Okay, Buckley. You got this,” he hyped himself up.

He started pulling out ingredients.

____________________

Eddie stared at the cooler in front of him, his eyes flicking between the container of potato salad and the container of coleslaw. He wasn’t sure which salad would be more appreciated at Chimney’s dinner party.

He was from Texas. Both salads would be appreciated at a BBQ in Texas.

But this was LA. It was very different from El Paso. Maybe neither salad would be appreciated in this city? Maybe he should bring an organic spinach salad with strawberries and pecans and feta cheese. Or maybe he should just get some celery and juice it? That was a thing, right? Celery juice?

He pulled out his phone.

Eddie: should I bring celery juice?

The reply was instantaneous.

Chimney: do not, under any circumstances, bring celery juice into my home. You will be banned for life.

Oh. Okay. No celery juice then.

Eddie: potato salad or coleslaw?

Chim: neither

Eddie frowned at his phone.

Eddie: you’re not helpful

Chim: love you too Diaz <3

Eddie snorted and slid his phone back into his pocket. He turned to his son.

“Chris, potato salad or coleslaw?”

Chris tapped his chin. “Coleslaw is not very good.”

“Oh, your grandma would be offended.”

Chris giggled. “I think potato salad is better.”

“Well, then potato salad it is.” He high-fived Chris and reached into the cooler, grabbing the plastic container. “Thank you, oh wise son.”

“You’re welcome, oh silly dad.” Chris giggled again. Eddie’s heart grew another size.

They started walking towards the freezer section of the grocery store.

“Do you want anything to take to Pepa’s?” Eddie asked Chris.

“Maybe some cheez-its?” Chris pondered. His crutches clacked on the tile floor. “Or Cheetos! Can I have Cheetos, dad?”

Eddie grinned. “Of course you can, Chris. Anything you want.” He stopped in front of the frozen pizza, grabbing Chris’s favorite pepperoni one.

“Anything?”

“Sure. Within reason.”

“Can I get a puppy?”

Eddie laughed. “Okay, son, I said anything within reason. And that they sell in this store.”

“A puppy is within reason!” Chris exclaimed. “I think. I don’t really know what that means.”

“Maybe once we’re settled in a little more, bud,” Eddie said. “We’ve only been here for a little while. We’re still adjusting to a new place.”

“But I saw a really cute one the other day, dad.”

“I’m sure you did. And maybe one day, we can. But not right now. I just started at the station and I’m still getting used to twenty-four hour shifts. You’re still getting used to your new school.”

Chris pouted. “I wish you didn’t have to work for so long.”

Eddie’s chest tightened. He knew the long hours at the firehouse would be difficult for both of them. Going an entire day, sometimes more, without seeing each other was emotionally draining.

A little over a year ago, Eddie had finally made the decision to leave El Paso. He and Shannon had divorced amicably. Shannon wanted to leave Texas for California, Eddie hadn’t. He got full custody of Christopher.

It hadn’t really been his intention to follow her out to LA a few months later, but he’d been accepted to the LAFD training academy and it had been too good of an offer to pass up.

So, he’d packed up their things and set out for California a week later.

He started at the academy pretty quickly after that, which was a grueling schedule. Five days on, two days off. Physical training, classroom instruction, more physical training. And then four hours of studying when he got home at night.

Needless to say, he didn’t see much of Christopher during that time period. His son typically stayed with his Tia Pepa, but sometimes he’d stay over at Eddie’s Abuela’s house. He was thrilled to be living in the same city as both of them and he knew Chris loved it too.

Once he’d graduated from the academy (at the top of his class, might he add, thank you very much), six exhausting months later, the captain from station six had made an offer to join his house. It was close to his place, close to Chris’s school, and the pay was double what any other house had offered.

Until Captain Bobby Nash came along and made an even more generous offer to join station one-eighteen.

He was instantly drawn to Captain Nash. There was something so trustworthy and almost fatherly about the man that made Eddie want to spill every secret he ever kept to him.

A day after it was made, Eddie accepted the offer and officially became the one-eighteen’s newest probationary firefighter.

That was six months ago.

Now, halfway through the probationary year, he’d become pretty good friends with his team.

Hen was warm, kind, sharp when she needed to be. She was a good mentor of sorts, even though she wasn’t technically his partner.

Chimney (he’s still not sure why they call him that) always knew how to lighten the mood with a well timed joke, no matter how flat it landed.

Ravi, his partner, was great. Eddie trusted him to have his back on every call they went on. He was sort of like the little brother Eddie never had.

And Bobby had become such a solid, reassuring presence in his life. Any advice he needed, whether about parenting or work or just life in general, he knew he could go to Bobby and he’d walk away feeling better than before.

He was happy here. Chris was happy here. Eddie finally felt like he’d done something right for both of them.

“I know, Chris. Sometimes I wish I didn’t either,” Eddie agreed, “but hey. I’ve got two days off. After the dinner party tonight, I’m all yours for the rest of them, okay?”

Chris, beaming, asked, “Can we go to the zoo tomorrow?”

“Now that,” Eddie high-fived him again, “is a fantastic idea.” He checked his watch. It was almost four o’clock. “Alright pal, we’ve gotta get moving. Pepa’s expecting us at five.”

They cut over to the snack aisle and since Chris couldn’t decide between Cheeto Puffs or Cheez-its, Eddie bought him both. He also picked up a six pack of his favorite beer to take with him to Chimney’s party.

On the way to the checkout, they passed by a display of stuffed animals and he saw Chris’s gaze linger on the golden retriever.

So, he picked it up and threw it in the cart too.

____________________

Buck showed up to Chimney and Maddie’s place at 5:32 pm.

“You’re early,” Chimney deadpanned when he opened the door.

Buck grinned, shoving a bottle in his direction. “I brought wine!” He held up the container of macarons. “And dessert!”

Chimney stepped aside, holding the door open. “You may enter.”

Walking into the house, Buck looked around. It looked a lot different now than it did when he’d helped them move in a few weeks ago. Art hung on the newly painted walls, rugs covered the cold wood floors, and new furniture filled the living room.

“Wow. Love what you’ve done with the place,” Buck commented. “Looks very…homey.”

“Well, that’s what we were going for. Considering this is a home,” Chimney quipped.

“Oh, is it? Is it a home? I was unaware that this was a home,” Buck snipped back.

“Hey, no fighting before the guests arrive.” Maddie stepped into the living room. She smiled at Buck, opening her arms. “Hi, brother.”

“Hi, Mads,” he said back, wrapping himself into her hug.

When he pulled away, he held up the macaron container. “Here’s my contribution to dinner.”

“Oh, your Tollhouse cookies?”

“Oh, no. I made raspberry lemon macarons.”

Maddie’s eyes scrunched. “Macarons? Since when do you know how to bake macarons?”

“Since I was bored and had nothing else to do over spring break.”

“Are they actually edible?” Chimney asked.

“Okay, first of all, I’m offended. Second of all, yes they are. Third of all, they’re a little bit life-changing, if I do say so myself.”

Maddie and Chim shared a look of amusement.

“What?” Buck asked. “What does that look mean?”

“Do you want to tell him or should I?” Maddie smirked.

“Oh, allow me,” Chim offered. “So, Bobby, my captain, you know? He’s somewhat of a Gordon Ramsay when it comes to cooking and baking.”

Buck’s jaw fell open. “Is he going to judge my macarons? Oh god, he’s totally going to judge them, isn’t he?”

Chimney shrugged. “Maybe. He’ll let you down easy though, don’t worry.”

“Buck, it’ll be fine. Bobby is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” Maddie reassured. “Now, c’mon. Since you’re early, you can help with the appetizers.

Buck followed Maddie into the kitchen. It smelled of baked brie and strawberries and something savory that had his mouth instantly watering.

“What is that smell?”

“Oh, that’s the short ribs.” Maddie opened the oven and pointed to the dutch oven inside. “Incredible, right?”

More of the scent wafted out. Buck inhaled.

“Oh my god, we need to eat right now.”

Laughing, Maddie said, “Appetizers first, then dinner. Chim says you can’t rush perfection.”

“Okay, okay,” Buck conceded. “So what can I help with?”

Maddie set him to work putting together the caprese salad skewers while she checked on the brie in the oven. He slid a cherry tomato on the skewer, followed by a chunk of mozzarella and a basil leaf.

“How’s that?” He asked Maddie, holding it up for her to see.

“Looks great. Don’t forget the balsamic glaze!”

Buck lost track of time as he continued putting the skewers together. It wasn’t until the doorbell rang that he realized it was 6:00.

“Oh! Someone’s here!” Maddie exclaimed. “Are you ready to meet everyone?”

Buck grinned. “More than.”

From down the hall, he heard Chimney answer the door, greeting whoever was outside. Their voices drew closer as they neared the kitchen.

“Bobby, Athena. This is Buck, Maddie’s younger brother,” Chimney said as they rounded the corner into the kitchen.

Buck stepped forward, his hand outstretched, his brightest smile plastered on.

“Buck, this is Bobby, my captain, and his wife, Athena.”

His smile faltered. His hand dropped.

“Oh god,” he whispered. “Gordon Ramsay.”

Bobby’s brow furrowed, a confused smile on his face.
“I’m sorry?”

“You’re Gordon Ramsay.” His gaze flicked to Athena. “And you’re a Greek goddess!”

Athena laughed. “Well, you sure do know how to flatter a woman, but I assure you, I am nothing like the real Athena.”

Maddie came around the edge of the island and stepped in to hug both Bobby and Athena.

“So good to see you both,” she said. “Don’t mind him, he’s a little nervous to meet everyone.”

“Because he’s Gordon Ramsay!” Buck hissed.

“I’m not Gordon Ramsay?” Bobby interjected.

“I may have told him you were somewhat of a Gordon Ramsay,” Chim admitted.

“And you’re going to tear my macarons apart! Oh god, I should’ve just made the Tollhouse cookies.”

“You made macarons?” Bobby asked, locking eyes with Buck.

“Y-yes. Sir,” he added as an afterthought.

“Please, just call me Bobby.” He held his hand out in Buck’s direction, reinitiating the failed handshake. Buck clasped his hand and shook it, maybe a little more firm than necessary. “Pleasure to meet you, Buck. Where are these macarons?”

Chimney appeared beside Bobby with the plastic container. Bobby peered at the yellow and pink pastries for a long moment before nodding his head in approval.

“They look great.” He grabbed one and bit into it. Buck winced, watching him as he chewed. “Oh.”

“Oh? What ‘oh’? Good or bad ‘oh’?”

Bobby popped the rest of it into his mouth. “The real Gordon Ramsay would be impressed. This Gordon Ramsay,” he pointed to himself, “is blown away. These are fantastic, Buck.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, a smile grew on Buck’s face. “Oh thank god.”

Athena reached into the container, grabbing one of her own. “Bobby hasn’t been able to master macarons yet.”

“Oh, wow. My own wife is exposing me,” Bobby whined.

Buck, Chimney, and Maddie laughed.

“Can I grab drinks for anyone?” Chimney asked. “I picked up that sparkling water you like, cap. And Buck brought wine, Athena, so we’ll let you be the judge of if it’s good or not.”

Buck whipped his head to Athena. “Let me guess. You’re the Gordon Ramsay of wine.”

“Oh, honey. Not even close. I’ll drink any brand, any flavor,” Athena chuckled and stepped in for a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you finally, Buck. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Buck hugged her back. “Same here. Maddie tells me you’re a sergeant?”

“I sure am. A little over three decades of service with the LAPD.”

“And the most badass officer out there,” Bobby cut in with a proud smile.

“You’ve probably seen some crazy stuff out there?”

“You have no idea.”

Buck laughed. “I can only imagine.”

“Okay, not to cut this off, but drinks? Anyone?” Chim interrupted. “I feel like a terrible host.”

“Sparkling water is fine for me, Chim,” Bobby said.

“Well, I’ll try that wine that Buck brought with him,” Athena added.

“Coming right up! Buck, do you want anything?”

“I’d take some of that wine too, please. Thanks, Chim.”

“Okay! Appetizers are ready,” Maddie called out. “Feel free to help yourself. We’ve got caprese skewers, stuffed mushrooms, baked brie with fig jam, and shrimp cocktail.”

“Wow, and that’s just the appetizers?” Athena asked, her eyebrows raised. “I can’t wait to see what you made for dinner.”

“Oh, just you wait, Athena. Chim went all out. Short ribs. Garlic mashed potatoes. Roasted carrots, parsnips, and artichokes. He’s been practicing.”

Bobby whistled. “Impressive sounding buffet, Chim. Who’re you trying to impress?”

“Well, Gordon Ramsay, of course.” Chim walked back over to where they’d gathered around the island and handed off drinks.

“Cheers to a fabulous dinner with some good friends,” Athena said, smiling as she clinked her glass against Buck’s.

Yeah. He could get used to hanging out with these people. He could see why Chim and Maddie thought so highly of them.

The doorbell rang again.

“I got it!” Chim called, already heading for the front door.

Buck wandered over to the appetizers. Grabbing a plate, he set a couple mushrooms and caprese skewers on it before carrying it back over to where he left his glass of wine.

“Mm, Maddie,” he groaned. “These mushrooms are fantastic. You have to send me the recipe.”

“Oh, good! I’m so glad they taste okay. I found the recipe on Pinterest and figured I’d give it a shot.”

“Good shot. You hit the bullseye.” He popped the rest of the mushroom into his mouth.

“Guys, look who made it!” Chimney exclaimed, coming back into the kitchen.

The most beautiful man Buck had ever seen followed behind him, raising his hand in a small, awkward wave.

Buck choked on the bite of mushroom in his mouth.

____________________

The man in front of him was choking.

Well, not actually choking. Eddie could tell he was still breathing by the way he coughed, like his lungs were trying to make an appearance. His face had turned red and continued to deepen the longer he coughed.

“Oh my god,” Maddie said, “Buck, are you okay?”

The man, Buck apparently, nodded quickly, waving his hand around in a meaningless gesture.

“Do you need some water?” Eddie asked, already halfway to the sink. He set the potato salad and six-pack he brought on the counter. Grabbing a glass from the counter, he filled it before rushing over to Buck and pressing it into his hands. He quickly downed half of it, which seemed to do the trick.

“Oh my god,” Buck breathed deeply once he finally caught his breath. “Thanks, man.”

Eddie nodded. His eyes flicked to the birthmark on Buck’s left eye. He’d never seen one like that before.

“Of course. Are you okay?” he asked, tearing his eyes away from the marks.

“Yeah. Went down the wrong pipe.” Buck’s face was still a vibrant shade of red. His gaze lingered on Eddie’s eyes.

For a long moment, they just stood there, staring at each other. Buck’s eyes were insanely blue.

“Ah, I hate when that happens,” Chimney said.

Eddie blinked and shook his head. Right. There were other people here.

“Well,” Maddie started, “Eddie, that is my brother, Buck. This is a very on-brand first impression for him.”

Grinning, Eddie turned back to Buck and held his hand out. “Nice to meet you, Buck. I’m Eddie.”

Buck grasped his hand and squeezed it.

Wow. His hands were big. Eddie felt his face turn hot.

“Pleasure is all mine, Eddie.” Buck smiled at him and continued to hold his hand for longer than necessary.

Eddie didn’t mind.

“Are you two going to hold hands for the rest of the night?” Chimney asked, a smirk on his face.

Buck pulled his hand back. “Ha, real funny, Chim.” He took a step back and picked up his wine glass, taking a long drink.

Clearing his throat, Eddie pointed to the things he’d brought. “I, uh. Brought potato salad. And beer. Chris thought the potato salad would go over better than coleslaw.”

“Well, thanks Eddie. I’m not sure how good potato salad is going to be with short ribs, but we can make it work,” Chimney said.

“Oh. I thought this was a BBQ?”

Everyone turned and looked at him. He suddenly felt like he was in an interrogation room.

“It’s a dinner party, Eddie,” Maddie stated.

“If it was going to be a BBQ, we would’ve specified,” Chim added.

Eddie’s eyebrows drew in. “A dinner party back in El Paso is just a BBQ.”

“Well, it very much does not mean BBQ in LA. It’s not fancy enough for the starlets,” Athena said, taking a swig of her wine.

“Huh. I guess I haven’t been here long enough to know the lingo yet. Sorry, I would’ve brought something more appropriate had I known.”

Maddie waved him off. “No worries, Eddie. We’re just glad you could make it.”

“Well, I would love to eat potato salad at a dinner party,” Buck said. “I think potato salad is great in any context.”

Eddie’s gaze flicked over to Buck. He was smiling softly, a little nervously, at Eddie.

His heart kicked a little harder. “Well, great. I just happened to bring some with me tonight.”

Jesus. Eddie could drown in those ocean eyes.

“Oh. Yeah. Cool. Cool, cool, cool,” Buck stated. “Potato salad. Very cool.”

Bobby laughed. “Is potato salad really that cool?”

“If you’re Buck, it is,” Chimney snorted. “I need a beer. Eddie, what can I get you to drink?”

He tore his eyes away from Buck. “Oh, uh. Beer is good.”

“You might even say that beer is cool,” Maddie teased. “Right, Buck?”

Buck’s face turned red again. “Okay, stop picking on me.” He lifted a skewer from his plate, using his teeth to take the cherry tomato off.

Eddie froze. Holy shit. Oh wow. What else could he do with that mouth—

“Here you go, Edmundo. One ice cold beer from your own six pack.”

He flinched, turning to Chimney, who was grinning like the cat that ate the canary.

“Take a drink, cool down a little bit, my friend. Help yourself to some appetizers.”

Swiping the bottle from his hand, he relished the coolness of it. “Th-thanks, Chim.”

“Mm, this baked brie is fantastic,” Bobby commented, scooping a little more with the pita crackers.

“Thanks! It’s so easy!” Maddie called out. “I’m all about simplicity in the kitchen.”

“Me too,” Eddie chimed in. He saw Buck’s head whip in his direction. “The easier, the better. Chris says he’d rather just have frozen pizza anyway.”

“Chris? Who’s Chris?” Buck asked.

“Oh my goodness, Buck,” Athena cooed. “Eddie has the cutest little boy you’ll ever see.”

“You have a son?”

Eddie nodded, grinning. “I do. Christopher. He’s seven.”

“Oh, wow. That’s amazing. I love kids.”

“That’s because you’re a kid yourself!” Chimney shouted. He was busy in the kitchen, mashing potatoes.

“Hey! Just because I’m a teacher does not mean I’m a child!”

“You get like the people you spend all your time with, Buck! You spend all of your time with your students!”

“You’re a teacher?” Eddie interjected.

Buck looked at him. “Oh, yeah. I am. Fourth-grade.”

“Oh, I bet that’s a fun job. Probably pretty rewarding too.”

“It is. Seeing the kids learn something new, the way their faces just light up when it clicks.” Buck grinned slowly, his eyes shining. “It’s the best job in the world.”

Eddie felt a smile of his own grow on his face at the excitement in Buck’s voice.

“I don’t know about that, Buck,” Bobby interrupted, stealing Buck’s attention away. “Being a firefighter is probably the best job in the world. I mean, what little kid didn’t dream of being a firefighter one day?”

“Is that a trick question? Me. I didn’t,” Buck laughed. “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher.”

“Well, I’ll tell you what, boys. Being a police sergeant is not so bad either,” Athena added.

“Okay, okay. We all have the best jobs, right?” Maddie said. “I think we’re all living our dreams. That’s the best part.”

“I’m going to add executive chef to my resume,” Chimney stated. “Eat the appetizers everyone. Please. Maddie and I worked hard to feed you people.”

The doorbell rang.

“Oh! That’s probably Hen and Karen,” Maddie said. “Chim, you got the door?”

“On it, sweetie.”

Eddie drifted over to the spread of appetizers and put some on a plate. He eyed the plastic container of potato salad, trying to decide if he should just stick it in the fridge or throw it away.

“Are you going to open that?” Buck’s voice suddenly came from behind him.

Eddie glanced over his shoulder. “I was just trying to figure out what I should do with it.”

“Well, open it up. I was serious.” Buck lifted the plate in his hands. “I’d eat some.”

“Buck, you don’t have to. It’s really okay.”

“No, hey. You took the time to go out and buy it. Who cares if it doesn’t fit Chim’s theme?”

Eddie chuckled. A wave of warmth washed over him. “Okay then.” He took the lid off of the salad and slid it over to Buck. “There you go. All yours.”

“Eddie. You’ve gotta eat some too.” Buck grabbed a serving spoon from the counter and put a serving on his plate. “You know, for solidarity.”

“Solidarity? For my unwanted potato salad?”

“I want your potato salad. You want your potato salad. We stand together. Solidarity.”

“Like us eating the potato salad I brought is a political issue.”

“Hey, it could be.” Buck put a spoonful in his mouth. “I’d fight for this potato salad.”

Buck talking with his mouth full of food probably should’ve disgusted Eddie, but he was oddly endeared by it.

“Okay, okay. You’ve convinced me.” Eddie scooped some onto his plate and took a bite. He cringed at the taste that flooded his mouth. “Wow. You’re so wrong.”

“Wrong? What!” He took another bite. “How am I wrong?”

“This is disgusting! I would fight to not eat this potato salad.”

Buck gasped, like he’d personally made the salad. “That is a crazy take, Eddie. This is good potato salad.”

Eddie took a swig of his beer, trying to wash the flavor away. “Oh my god, the aftertaste is foul. What the hell did I buy?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. This is fantastic.” Buck polished off his serving and reached over to Eddie’s plate to take a spoonful from his. “Since you’re not going to eat it, someone should.”

Eddie watched in baffled silence as Buck ate the rest of it off of his plate.

“Is there dill in this? I feel like I can taste dill.” He licked his spoon clean and finally turned his gaze back to Eddie. “What?”

“You just ate off of my plate.”

Buck dropped his eyes to Eddie’s plate, then looked at him again. His cheeks were red. “Uh, my bad?”

Eddie laughed. His heart fluttered. “It’s okay. I’m used to it. My son does it all the time.”

Buck opened his mouth to respond, but—

“Are you two done flirting or should I not interrupt?”

Buck dropped his eyes from Eddie’s. He lifted his hand to the back of his neck before snapping his head over to the new voice. Eddie followed his gaze.

“Oh, hi Hen,” Eddie stuttered, his face flushing. “We’re not—we weren’t—”

“Hi, you must be Buck,” Hen cut him off, turning to the other man. “Chimney has said so much about you.”

Buck chuckled. “And probably none of it good. Don’t believe a word he says.” He extended his hand out. Hen grabbed it and shook it.

“He’s actually only said kind things about you,” Hen insisted. “He’s very proud to be your brother-in-law.”

“Hen!” Chim hissed as he passed by. “Don’t tell him that! I have a very specific image that I’m trying to maintain!”

“And what kind of image is that, Chim? Loser brother-in-law who’s mean to his wife’s brother for no reason?”

Buck pointed at Hen. “I like her. Keep going.”

“He told me the other day that he couldn’t wait for you to meet us all. That you’re a super kind, sweet person that would get along great with all of us.”

Eddie grinned, shooting a look at Chim. “Oh yeah, I was there for that! Word for word, that’s what he said.”

“Wow. Chimney actually likes me.” Buck pretended to wipe a tear away. “All I’ve ever wanted.”

“Okay, okay! Fine! I concede.” Chim turned to Buck, his palms pressed together. “Buck, you’re not half bad.”

“I’m not half bad? Well, you’re not half bad either, Howard.”

“Aw, my two favorite guys, finally getting along,” Maddie joked. “Hi Hen, hi Karen.”

“Hi Maddie,” the two women said back.

“Buck, this is my wife, Karen,” Hen said, wrapping an arm around the other woman's waist.

“Hi Karen,” Buck smiled warmly at her. “It’s so nice to meet you both.”

“You too, Buck,” Karen replied. “I heard you’re a teacher?”

Eddie watched Buck as he talked. His face was so expressive, his eyes lighting up with joy as he talked about his students. He seemed so passionate about learning and education and making sure his students got the most out of his teaching. He talked with his hands, gesturing wildly every few words. A smile stayed plastered on his face the entire time.

It was entrancing. Buck was completely entrancing.

God. He was so screwed.

____________________

Buck wasn’t sure how he was supposed to function at an event where Eddie Diaz was sitting right next to him. Like, literally one chair over. Their knees were basically touching under the table.

The last one to show up for dinner was Ravi, who was apparently always late to every function ever. Chimney gave him a hard time, which Eddie said he did every time he rolled into the station a few minutes late.

“Oh, he thinks he’s so funny,” Buck snarked, rolling his eyes. “Tell him to get some original content.”

Eddie chuckled. Buck really liked the sound of his laugh. It was so warm and fuzzy. “I’ll make sure to tell him you said that.”

“Buck, here.” Maddie handed him a stack of plates. “Can you set the table, please?” She turned to Eddie with a basket of silverware. “Can you help him?”

“I thought we were guests at this party?” Buck looked at Eddie and was delighted to find him already looking at him. “Are guests supposed to help set the table?”

“C’mon, Buck. She asked so nicely,” Eddie chastised. “And she’s your sister. Are you technically a guest in your sister's house?”

Maddie snapped her fingers and pointed at Eddie. “Correct. Eddie, you’re my new favorite.”

“Oh, wow. Okay. Ganging up on me. I see how it is.”

Eddie held his hand up. Maddie high-fived him. Buck pouted.

“Let him pout, Eddie. He’ll find something to distract him soon enough and he’ll forget all about this.”

“I resent that,” Buck quipped. He paused, then quirked his lips. “But you’re not wrong.”

Eddie laughed again. “Easily distracted then, are you?”

“You know, I probably should’ve been diagnosed with some kind of hyperactive disorder when I was a kid.”

“Oh, definitely,” Maddie agreed. “Okay. Table. Dining room. Go set.” She turned on her heel and went back into the kitchen.

“You heard the lady,” Eddie remarked. “We’ve been entrusted with a very important job here. We can’t afford any distractions.”

“No distractions.” Buck mock saluted Eddie. “Consider me locked in and ready to work.”

“Okay, first task: show me to the dining room. I do not know the way.”

“Right this way, sir.” Buck led him to the dining room and presented the table with a wave of his arm. “And here you have the dining room in its natural habitat.”

Eddie set the basket of silverware down. “Wow. So wild. So majestic.”

“The dining room is very docile this time of year.” Buck started setting plates out. “Very calm. Very happy to host dinner parties.”

Eddie followed behind him, dropping silverware beside the plates. “How great that we caught the dining room at its most docile. It’d probably be a miserable party otherwise.”

“Oh, it’d be awful. You don’t want to know.”

“Is this what you teach your fourth graders about? Docile dining rooms? Hostile houses? Lackadaisical living rooms?”

Buck snorted and immediately clapped a hand over his mouth, slightly mortified that he’d just made a noise like that in front of the hottest man alive.

“Cute,” Eddie teased, a little smirk on his face.

“Pretend that didn’t just happen, please.”

“Oh, not a chance. I’m going to hold that over you for the rest of time.”

Buck stilled. He stopped so abruptly that Eddie bumped into him from behind. The plates rattled in his hands.

“Uh, Buck? You okay?”

For the rest of time.

“Uh, y-yeah.” He cleared his throat. “Sorry. All good.” He started moving again, setting plates in their places. A few moments of quiet passed. “So, anyway. They learn about lackadaisical living rooms in third grade.”

Eddie burst out laughing. “They save the docile dining rooms and hostile houses for fourth?”

“Exactly. I just finished teaching that unit last week.”

“Wow. The curriculum sure has changed since I was in elementary.”

Buck set the last plate down. Eddie set the silverware down beside it.

“Uh, Eddie?” Buck said, gazing down at the silverware. “You did it wrong.”

Eddie scrunched his face. “What? How did I set silverware wrong?”

“Forks on the left, knives and spoons on the right,” he said, pointing to the table.

“There’s a specific way to set a table?”

“Of course. Have you ever eaten at a fine dining restaurant?"

“I’m from El Paso. What do you think?”

“I’m guessing not?”

“Good guess. Have you?”

“Also no.”

“But you know how silverware should be set?”

Buck nodded. “Of course. I watch a lot of cooking shows. Forks go on the left, everything else on the right.”

Buck reached forward to fix the place setting in front of him at the same time as Eddie. Their fingers brushed against each other.

Is it cliche to say that sparks flew? Buck’s pretty sure he saw sparks fly.

For one long second, neither of them moved. Buck’s face turned hot. Eddie’s hand was warm against his.

Then Eddie cleared his throat and pulled his hand away, moving to the next place setting.

“Y-you said forks on the left?” he murmured. His face was as red as Buck’s felt.

“Uh, yeah. Yup. Forks on the left. That’s what all the experts say.” Buck turned his head away from Eddie and squeezed his eyes shut. What, he mouthed to himself.

“The experts?”

“Yeah. Yes. Experts. You know, the professionals," he doubled down.

“Ah, yes. Those silverware setting professionals.”

“Exactly. Follow their advice. They say forks on the left, so.”

“Well, I hate to ruin your sister’s dinner party because of the wrongly set silverware. She did trust us to get the job done.”

Buck fixed another set. He looked up at Eddie. He was meticulously placing the forks on the left of the plate before moving the spoons and knives to the opposite, his brows scrunched in concentration. A strand of hair fell over his forehead, falling in a perfect wave.

“You look cute like that,” Buck blurted before he could stop the words from coming out.

Eddie looked up, his mouth open. “Uh. What?”

Buck pointed up to his own forehead. “The–the hair. It looks…it looks good.”

“Oh.” Eddie stared at him. Then slowly, the corners of his mouth turned up. “Cute, huh?”

Buck nodded, his stomach flipping. “Yeah. Cute.”

“Well, you’re pretty cute yourself, Buck.”

His breath caught. “Y-yeah?”

“It’s the whole blue eyes, curly hair, birthmark thing you got going on.” Eddie smiled softly.

“O-oh.” Buck ducked his head quickly, raising a hand to the back of his neck. He couldn’t stop a grin from growing on his face. “Wow. Okay. Huh. That is–wow.”

Eddie chuckled. Buck’s entire body felt like it was on fire.

“Eddie, you can’t just say that to people when they’re least expecting it.”

“Why not? You just unexpectedly called me cute.”

Buck lifted his arms, holding them out to the side. “Because I don’t know how to be normal about it!”

A quiet laugh slipped out of Eddie’s mouth. “You’re cute when you’re flustered. I kinda like it.”

Covering his face with his hands, Buck groaned. “Oh my god. Stop. You have to stop.”

“Well, what if I don’t want to stop?”

“Stop what?” Maddie’s voice came from behind him.

Buck jumped and whipped around to look at her. She carried a basket of rolls, setting them in the middle of the table.

“Stop, uh…stop,” Buck stuttered. “Just stop.”

Maddie’s brow furrowed, a smirk on her face. “Very informative. Can you come help carry stuff?”

Buck nodded, probably quicker than necessary. “Yes. Yeah. Yup. Carry stuff. I can do that. Big and strong. Me. I am.”

Eddie stifled a laugh.

Buck wanted to die.

Following Maddie back into the kitchen, Buck let out a long exhale.

“You good?” Maddie asked. She handed him a giant bowl of mixed greens. “You seem a little…overwhelmed.”

“I am all good. Never been better. I need more wine.”

Maddie laughed. “Is it Eddie?”

Buck shook his head. “No. Who’s Eddie? I don’t know any Eddies. Do you know any Eddies?”

“Yeah, he’s cute, right?” She shot him a knowing smile.

“Oh my god, Maddie. You should’ve warned me about him!” he hissed. “You should’ve told me that a Greek god was coming to dinner!”

“And what fun is that?” Maddie quipped. “The surprise is half the fun!”

“I’m going to make a fool of myself. You know that, right?” Buck whined. “I can’t walk away from this night without making a fool of myself in front of the very hot man at your dinner table.”

“Maybe Eddie is into fools?” Maddie winked before turning around and grabbing a sheet pan of roasted veggies. “Okay, Chim took the short ribs and the potatoes to the table. This is the rest of it. Ready?”

Buck set the bowl of greens down and darted to the counter where the bottle of wine he’d brought was left. He picked it up, filling his glass to the brim and taking a long swig, then filling it again.

“Okay,” he said, picking up the bowl again. “Now I’m ready.”

“Just be cool,” Maddie insisted. “You got this.”

Buck rolled his shoulders, letting out a sharp exhale. “Cool. I can be so cool.”

Maddie led the way into the dining room. Everyone had already congregated around the table. Chim was at the head of the table. Bobby and Athena sat side by side at Chim's left with Hen and Karen next to them. To Chim’s right, there was an empty seat, presumably left for Maddie. Then it was Ravi and Eddie with an empty seat at the end.

“Maddie,” Buck hissed as they crossed into the room. “Let me sit next to Chim.”

She glanced over her shoulder. “What? No.”

“Please. I can’t sit next to him.”

“Buck, be serious. I’m sitting next to my husband. You’re sitting next to yours.”

“He’s not—Jesus, Maddie.” Buck’s face flushed for the millionth time that night. “Please let me sit next to Chimney.”

“Not happening.”

“This is torture! You can’t do this to me, Maddie!”

“Everything okay, you two?” Chimney asked, watching in amusement. Buck whipped his head in his direction and noticed everyone staring at them.

“Everything is great!” Maddie exclaimed. She set the pan of veggies on the table and slid into the seat next to Chim. “Buck, please join us at the table so we can eat.”

Slowly, Buck set the bowl of mixed greens on the table. He made his way down to the chair he was meant to sit in, the one right next to Eddie, and sat down.

“I don’t bite,” Eddie whispered, smirking. “I promise.”

What if I want you to bite? Buck thought, almost saying it out loud.

“Well, I sure hope not. Even my fourth graders know better than to bite,” he whispered back instead.

Eddie let out a breath through his nose, something that sounded like a laugh.

“Okay!” Maddie clapped her hands together. “Just real quick before we eat. Chim and I just want to thank you all for being here. We feel so blessed to know each and every one of you. Getting to celebrate our new home, this new stage of our life, with you all is the most perfect gift.”

Chim held up his beer. “To all of you, our family. Cheers!”

Everyone held up their drinks and toasted, glasses clinking against one another.

Buck raised his glass to take a drink of his wine when he saw Eddie turn towards him.

“And to Chim and Maddie for introducing us,” he whispered, reaching over and tapping his beer against Buck’s glass. Eddie’s knee brushed against his under the table.

Buck choked. Again. For the second time that night, within the same hour, in front of the very attractive man beside him, Buck choked.

Luckily, this time he was able to play it off. He coughed into his elbow, regained his composure, and turned to Eddie.

“Dammit,” Buck mumbled, a little smile growing on his face. “Leave me alone.”

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I’ll stop.” Eddie set his beer down on the table and straightened in his seat.

“Wait, no. I was joking. Please don’t stop.” Buck pressed his knee against Eddie’s.

Eddie raised his eyebrows, pushing back against Buck. “No?”

“No.”

Eddie’s face softened. There was a small mole underneath his left eye that Buck couldn’t stop looking at.

“Okay. I won’t.”

Buck bit his lip, trying to hold back a grin.

____________________

Eddie had come to this dinner party with the expectation of a good meal, some good company, and a chance to forget about real life for a couple of hours and relax. Let his guard down.

Instead, he’d met Buck.

Buck, who had the bluest eyes of anyone he’d ever met before. Buck, who didn’t seem to have a filter on that pretty mouth. Buck, who looked so good when he was flustered by Eddie’s words.

Eddie wondered how he would look in another setting, a little flustered with red cheeks–

Holy. Dear god. Not now.

Clearing his throat, he turned his attention to the rest of the table. The food was being passed around, plates being filled.

“Everything smells fantastic, Chim,” Bobby commented. He put a helping of short rib on his plate. “How’d you cook the short ribs?”

“Braised in the Dutch oven with red wine,” Chim replied. “I put them in around three this afternoon.”

“Well, if they taste as good as they look, we are in for a treat,” Athena tacked on.

Ravi handed the bowl of mashed potatoes to Eddie. “I didn’t know you could cook. Why don’t you cook at the station?”

“Oh, Ravi. Silly little Ravi,” Chim chuckled. “We already have a chef in the house. I can’t take that away from Cap.”

“I wouldn’t mind taking a step back from cooking sometimes,” Bobby offered. “We could take turns.”

“And now that we know you’ve been holding out on us all these years, you have a lot of catching up to do.” Hen pointed her fork in Chim’s direction, accusing. “What else have you been hiding?”

“Can I just add that he had to practice making this meal?” Maddie put a scoop of roasted veggies on her plate. “Otherwise we would’ve just ordered pizza. I’ve had so much short rib the last few weeks because he wanted everything to be perfect.”

“Aw, Chim. You do love us,” Buck teased.

Eddie turned to look at him, like he was being controlled by a puppeteer. Buck was laughing with everyone else, his eyes bright and shining.

The sight made Eddie’s breath catch.

Food continued to be passed around.

Buck finally looked at him. “You, uh, you going to hang on to those all night or are you going to share?”

Eddie blinked and realized he was still holding the mashed potatoes.

“Oh. Uh, my bad,” he muttered. He grabbed the serving spoon and put some on his plate. “Here. Sorry. I got distracted.”

Buck reached over, grabbing the bowl from him. Their fingers brushed together, sending a pang of electricity through Eddie’s hand.

“Yeah? Too busy staring at me?” Buck quipped, smirking at him. He put some potatoes on his plate and passed it on to Karen sitting across from him.

“Choosing not to answer that.” Eddie took the next dish from Ravi, serving some for himself, before passing it onto Buck.

“Not so fun being the flustered one, is it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Buck.”

“Oh please. You so do.”

“I didn’t know you were seeing anyone, Eddie,” Ravi said. “How long have you two been together?”

Eddie turned to look at him, his eyes widening. Behind him, Buck made a noise that sounded like he was being strangled.

Everyone at the table had quieted. Forks stopped scraping across plates, Maddie trailed off in the middle of whatever she was saying, a smug look on her face. Chim and Hen shared a delighted look with each other.

Eddie suddenly felt like a bug under a magnifying glass.

“We’re not,” Eddie insisted, probably a little sharper than he needed to.

“We just met,” Buck tacked on. “Tonight. Like an hour ago.”

Ravi’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh. My bad. You guys have insane chemistry.”

Eddie stared at Ravi for half a second before dropping his eyes to his plate. His face flushed hot.

Buck cleared his throat. “These mashed potatoes are insane, Chim.”

“Agreed,” Bobby said, taking another bite. “Did you roast the garlic?”

As Chim started talking about his potato mashing process, Eddie finally picked up his fork and took a bite of the short rib. It was savory and tender, nearly melting in his mouth.

“Oh, wow,” he muttered, mostly to himself.

“Good, right?” Buck said softly, speaking just to Eddie.

Conversation had picked back up. Hen, Karen, and Athena were debating something across the table, Bobby and Chim were discussing the best techniques for peeling potatoes, and Ravi was talking with Maddie about something work related.

Okay. Everything was fine. Eddie was overreacting, like he does sometimes.

“Really good,” Eddie agreed.

Buck’s expression softened. From his own plate, he picked up some short rib, potatoes, and a carrot with his fork.

“Try this,” he said, lifting the fork an inch like Eddie couldn’t see it. “Everything in one bite. Like a party in your mouth.”

Like a party in your mouth. Eddie’s mind went south. Jesus.

“Really? Everything in one bite?”

“Mhm.” Buck popped the forkful in his mouth and groaned. “So good.”

Eddie copied Buck and scooped up a little bit of everything, taking a bite.

“Oh wow. You’re right. Party in your mouth.”

Buck grinned. “Told you.”

“You’re very good at giving food related advice. Setting the table properly, how to get the most out of your meals. Do you have a degree in that field?”

Buck laughed. It was a warm, rich sound that made the corners of his eyes crinkle. “A masters, actually. From the academy of Martha Stewart.”

“Oh. Very prestigious. I applied, but they didn’t accept me.”

“No?”

Eddie shook his head. “It’s all Martha’s fault that my son only eats frozen pizza and dinosaur nuggets now. She denied my education in cooking.”

“Hey, there is nothing wrong with frozen pizza and dino nuggets!” Buck insisted. “But, as an alum of her academy, I will be having words with Martha. Rejecting you is just ridiculous. Who would ever reject you?”

Eddie’s heart fluttered. His stomach twisted. “Would…would you reject me?”

Buck paused, his eyes never leaving Eddie’s. “No. I don’t think I would.”

For a long moment, it was just Buck with him in that room. The outside world did not exist. The only thing he saw was Buck, the only thing he heard was Buck.

He thinks he could probably live here happily for the rest of his life.

Then, “Can I get some more salad?” Ravi asked.

Eddie blinked. Sound came rushing back in. He turned in time to see Athena handing the bowl over to Ravi.

“So,” Buck said, taking a drink of his wine. “Tell me more about Christopher.”

Eddie melted, his shoulders releasing some of the tension that had built up. Talking about Christopher was his favorite thing to do. His son was the light of his life. The thing he was most proud of. The best thing he’d ever done.

“Oh. Buck, he is the best. And I’m not just saying that because he’s my son.”

“Yeah?”

Eddie nodded, smiling softly. “Yeah. He’s just so good, you know? So full of love and light and just all the best of his mother.”

Buck suddenly paled. His smile faltered. “H-his mother?”

“Yeah. We’re divorced,” Eddie said. “For the record. We were better friends than spouses.”

“Oh. I thought I was being a homewrecker for a second.”

Laughing, Eddie took a quick sip of his beer. “No. No homewrecking here.”

Buck relaxed, sitting back in his chair. “Good.” He took a bite of the veggies on his plate. “So, you said he’s seven?”

“Yeah. Just turned seven a few weeks ago.”

“That’s so fun. Is he second-grade?”

Eddie nodded. “He is. Hey, maybe you’ll be his teacher in a couple of years, who knows?”

“I don’t know, Eddie, there’s a lot of schools in LA. What are the chances we go to the same one?”

“Well, where do you teach?”

“Lincoln Elementary.”

Eddie blinked. “For real?”

Buck nodded.

“Wow. Small world.”

“No way. He actually goes to the same school I work at?”

“He does. He was enrolled there last year when we first moved.”

Buck let out a disbelieving laugh. “That’s kind of insane actually.”

“Almost feels like fate.”

A soft smile crossed Buck’s face. He ducked his head for a second before looking back at him, his eyes sparkling.

“If you believe in that kind of thing.”

“Do you?”

Buck nodded. “Yeah. I do. Call me silly, but I do.”

“Well, if you believe in it, then so do I.”

Buck’s cheeks turned a delightful shade of pink. “Might be fate that you started working at the same place as my brother-in-law too.”

Eddie pressed his knee against Buck’s again. Buck pushed right back. He smiled.

“You know, it just might be.”

____________________

Buck found himself sitting on the back patio with Hen and Karen after dinner. Maddie had brewed a pot of coffee after the dishes were cleaned up, so all three of them were cradling coffee mugs in their hands.

It was a nice evening, the sun low in the sky. The clouds were different shades of pink and orange. A soft breeze blew through the air, sending a little shiver through Buck.

“So,” Karen started. “Tell me a little more about Buck. You’ve been so attached to Eddie all night, we’ve barely gotten to talk.”

Buck’s ears burned. He let out a breathless chuckle. “Not going to lie. This entire night has been very unexpected,” he admitted.

Hen gave him a knowing look. “Eddie seems to have that effect on people,” she said. “But I’ve never seen anyone have that effect on him.”

Karen nodded, glancing between Buck and Hen. “The only time I’ve ever seen him look that warmly at another person is when his son is present.”

The heat from his ears crept onto his cheeks. “He’s really nice.”

Hen and Karen laughed.

“He really is,” Hen agreed. “We got lucky with him.”

“Anyway, as riveting as this is, tell me about you,” Karen repeated. “I want to know all about Maddie’s little brother. How long have you lived in LA?”

Buck slouched in his chair a little. “I moved here almost a year ago. Finally got out of Pennsylvania.”

“What made you leave?”

Buck shrugged. “Needed a change. I went through a pretty rough breakup and Maddie convinced me to change everything. New city, new job, new house.”

Karen gave him a sympathetic look. “I know all about that. But you know what?”

“What’s that?”

“After my last bad breakup, I met Hen a couple of months later,” she said softly. “And now we’ve been married for over fifteen years.”

Reaching over, Hen threaded her fingers with Karen’s. “And what a good fifteen years it’s been.”

Buck’s stomach flipped. “Okay, I see what you did there.”

“Hey, I’m just saying,” Karen started, “sometimes the worst breakups lead to the most beautiful doors opening.”

“And Eddie has been through a lot,” Hen added. “He deserves something good. The way he’s been around you…I’ve never seen him like that before.”

Buck smiled softly, slightly overwhelmed by everything the night had brought with it. “I like him.”

Hen and Karen exchanged a look before bursting into laughter.

“Yeah, Buck. We can tell. Everyone could tell,” Hen teased.

“Okay, okay,” Buck remarked, trying not to smile but failing miserably. “I get it.”

“You know what? I’ll drink to that.” Karen held out her mug. Buck lifted his, tapping it against hers. “To new friends, new potential, and a new door opening.”

Once the sun set over the horizon and darkness settled, a chill permeating the air, Hen and Karen made their way back inside.

Buck stayed on the patio. His coffee mug had long since emptied, but he wasn’t in a hurry to go back inside. The fresh air was nice. The quiet was too. He could see stars starting to twinkle above him, which was a rare occurrence in LA.

The patio door slid open behind him.

“I was beginning to think you’d left.”

Buck glanced over his shoulder, smiling softly when his eyes landed on Eddie.

“No,” Buck said. “Just needed some quiet for a minute.”

Eddie came over and sat beside him on the patio couch, leaving barely an inch of space between them. The outsides of their thighs touched, sending a wave of warmth through Buck.

“I get that. That’s why I’m out here too.”

Buck pretended to pout. “I thought you came out here to find me.”

Eddie’s face softened. “That too.”

Buck set his hand on the top of his thigh. “Well, you found me. What now?”

For a long moment, Eddie stared at Buck’s hand. His fingers twitched. Slowly, he reached over and grabbed his hand, threading his fingers with Buck’s.

The first thing Buck noticed was the warmth. Eddie’s hand was so warm.

“Is this okay?” Eddie whispered.

Buck swiped his thumb across Eddie’s knuckles. “Yeah. More than okay.”

The corners of his lips turned up. “Okay.” He squeezed Buck’s hand once. “So. Can I ask you something?”

Buck nodded. “Anything.”

“Is Buck your real name?”

Buck huffed a laugh. “Uh, no, actually. Buck is the nickname I got when I was in high school. All of my friends back then called me Buck.”

“So what is your real name then?”

“Evan.”

“Evan,” Eddie repeated. He squeezed his hand again. “It’s nice, but Buck suits you.”

“What about you? Is Eddie short for something?”

“It is. It’s short for Edmundo, which was my grandfather’s name.”

“I like that,” Buck said, his voice barely above a whisper. “A family name.”

Eddie stroked his thumb across Buck’s knuckles.

For a few moments, they were quiet. Buck stared out at the yard, listening to the windchimes Maddie had put in the garden. Crickets were chirping somewhere nearby. Eddie’s hand was still in his.

Buck took a deep breath, blowing it out slowly. Being with Eddie was…relaxing. Peaceful.

He cleared his throat. “Are you from LA?”

“No,” Eddie answered. “Chris and I just moved here. About a year ago.”

“Really?”

“Mhm.”

“I moved to LA a year ago too.”

Eddie looked at him. “Another fate moment or something like that?”

One corner of Buck’s mouth curled up. “Something like that.”

“Why’d you move out here?” Eddie asked.

“Bad breakup.”

Eddie made a sympathetic noise. “Been there.”

Buck thought of Chris’s mother. The fact that she and Eddie were divorced. “But, I don’t want to talk about my ex. I want to talk about you. What brought you to LA?”

Eddie’s face turned a delightful shade of pink. “Oh. Well, uh, I was discharged from the military a year and a half ago.”

“You were in the military?”

“Mhm. Army medic.”

“Huh. Now that you say that, you do sort of give off that vibe.”

Eddie chuckled. “Oh, my vibe? I’m giving off vibes?”

“You are!” Buck insisted.

“I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”

Buck squeezed his hand. “It’s a good thing.”

“Good vibes?”

“Good vibes.”

Eddie turned a little more towards Buck, their knees touching now.

“You give off good vibes too.”

Buck smiled softly. Eddie’s eyes were warm and ambery and full of light, even with the darkness that had settled around them. Buck dropped his eyes to Eddie’s lips for half a second before flicking them back up.

“Tell me more about moving to LA.”

“Oh, right,” Eddie laughed. “I forgot we were talking about that.”

Buck hummed. “Mhm, I could tell. You were distracted again.”

“Hey, I think you were just as distracted as me.”

“No comment.” Buck pretended to zip his lips shut.

Eddie laughed again. “Unzip your lips. I like the sound of your voice.”

Buck’s stomach flipped, his heart stuttering.

“Man, you have got to stop saying things like that.”

“Why?”

“I told you earlier, Eddie, I don’t know how to be normal about this. I don’t think I can physically be normal about this.”

“You think this is any easier for me?”

“Well, it sure seems like it!”

“You’ve got it all wrong then, Buck,” Eddie murmured. “I’ve never met anyone like you before. You’re making me so nervous.”

Buck paused, drawing his brows in. He leaned a little further into Eddie. “I am?”

Eddie let out a breathless laugh. “You are.”

“It doesn’t seem like it. You’re terribly composed.”

“I’ve basically been screaming on the inside since you ate that potato salad off my plate.”

Buck laughed. A genuine, head-thrown-back, eyes clenched shut, shoulders shaking laugh.

“Is that so?” He managed to say when he’d finally composed himself.

“That is so,” Eddie said. Buck watched his eyes flick down to his lips. “You’re very charming. It’s very…unsteadying.”

“Unsteadying?”

“Very.”

Buck wanted to kiss him. He wanted to close the distance between them and press his mouth to Eddie’s. He wanted to feel the warmth of his lips, taste the beer he’d been drinking all night.

He started leaning in.

Eddie’s breath hitched. He started leaning in.

A loud chorus of laughter erupted from the house.

Buck jumped. So did Eddie. They both leaned back, not putting distance between them, but taking a moment to breathe. Recenter themselves.

Eddie let out a breathless laugh. “Yeah. Unsteadying.”

Buck giggled. And then he giggled some more. And then Eddie started giggling, which made Buck giggle even more.

Buck could stay here forever.

Eventually, they quieted down. The giggling stopped. The sound of the crickets came back. They sat in the quiet for a few minutes, pressed right against each other.

Buck cleared his throat. “So, where’d you live before LA?”

Eddie shifted a little, putting more of his weight against Buck. “El Paso.”

Buck hummed. “Texas?”

“Yup. Born and raised.”

“So you’re a cowboy.”

Eddie snorted. It sounded cuter on him than when Buck did earlier.

“Definitely not a cowboy.”

“Oh c’mon,” Buck teased. “You’d look so good in a cowboy hat.”

Color dusted the apples of Eddie’s cheeks. “I do have one, back in El Paso. Owning one is basically a rite of passage in Texas.”

“It didn’t make the move with you?”

Eddie shook his head. “Nope. I left that part of my life behind.”

“Why’s that?”

“It didn't fit anymore. Being in the army…changed who I was, so. I left it.”

Buck got the feeling that Eddie was talking about more than just the cowboy hat.

“And then you packed up and moved here.”

“Yup. I got accepted to the LAFD academy and moved the following week.”

“How’s Christopher finding LA?”

Eddie smiled softly, his eyes twinkling with joy. “He loves it here. There’s so many more opportunities for him, you know? More options for physical therapy, extracurriculars, clubs.”

“Physical therapy?”

“Yeah. Chris was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was six months old.”

Buck nodded. He squeezed Eddie’s hand.

“He doesn’t let it slow him down, you know?” Eddie continued. “He’s so determined all the time.”

“He sounds pretty inspiring,” Buck said gently.

“He is. Every day that kid inspires me to be the best version of myself.”

“That’s how I feel about my students. It amazes me how resilient they are.”

“What made you want to be a teacher?”

Buck grinned. He slid down in his seat a little, making Eddie slouch into him.

“I had the best teacher when I was in seventh grade. Mrs. Anderson. She was so kind and made learning such a fun thing. I wanted to be just like her.”

“Your students are lucky to have you as a teacher. I mean, we just met and I can already tell that you’re the type of teacher that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. You’re going to be their Mrs. Anderson.”

Buck’s breath hitched. He suddenly felt the urge to cry at Eddie’s words, but he blinked the tears back.

“Wow. Thank you,” he murmured. “That’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me.”

Eddie stroked his thumb across the back of his hand. “I hope Chris gets to have you in a couple of years.”

The patio door slid open. The noise from inside flooded the peaceful quiet on the patio.

Buck glanced over his shoulder. Maddie stood behind them.

“Hey, you two,” she called from where she was standing, a soft grin on her face. “We’re going to have dessert. Chim just cut the cheesecake and Ravi has eaten almost a dozen of the macarons, so if you want something, you better get in here quick.”

“Okay,” Buck answered. “We’ll be right in.”

The door slid shut, taking the noise with it.

Buck sighed. “I kind of…don’t care about dessert anymore.”

Eddie chuckled. “I heard the macarons are fantastic.”

“And who’d you hear that from?”

“Gordon Ramsay.”

Buck groaned teasingly. “Oh my god. Nothing is sacred around here.”

Eddie reluctantly pulled his hand away from Buck. He missed the warmth of it immediately.

Pushing to his feet, Eddie turned and looked down at Buck. “C’mon, I’ve gotta try one before Ravi eats them all.” He held his hand out, a silent offering to pull him up.

Buck grabbed it, delighted at the contact again. Eddie pulled him up. Their hands stayed linked, which Buck did not mind in the slightest.

They started towards the patio door, Eddie pulling Buck along with him. He only dropped his hand when he reached for the door handle.

Buck stepped inside behind Eddie, sliding the door shut. The noise of voices overlapping sounded louder now after being outside in the quiet for so long.

As they walked into the kitchen, everyone turned to look at them. Plates of dessert, empty wine glasses, and coffee mugs scattered the island.

“Well, well, well,” Chimney teased. “Look what the cat dragged in.”

“Are we too boring for the two of you?” Athena quipped.

“Yeah, you guys disappeared for an awfully long time.” Bobby shot them a sly grin.

Heat crawled up Buck’s neck.

“Just getting to know each other,” Eddie said simply, smiling at Buck over his shoulder.

“Well, you’re just in time for dessert!” Maddie exclaimed. “I made a cheesecake and Buck made macarons.”

“The macarons are insane, dude. For real,” Ravi drawled. He shoved another one into his mouth.

“Ravi! Save some for the rest of us!” Chim scolded jokingly.

“I can’t stop eating them! I’m not in control of my own hands anymore!” Ravi defended himself. “Buck, they really are incredible.”

Buck grinned. “Thanks, Ravi.”

“They even look amazing, Buck,” Karen commented. “I didn’t realize you were a professional pastry chef.”

“Karen, he graduated from the academy of Martha Stewart,” Eddie quipped. “He’s got a masters in pastry cheffing.”

Buck snorted.

Everyone else looked on in confusion.

“What does that even mean?” Bobby asked.

“Uh, inside joke,” Buck said, stifling another laugh.

“Oh my god. They’ve known each other for, what? Three hours?” Chimney said. “And they already have inside jokes.”

“I think it’s cute,” Athena tacked on. “Bobby and I were the same way when we met.”

Karen’s voice echoed in Buck’s head.

Sometimes the worst breakups lead to the most beautiful doors opening.

He smiled softly at Eddie, who was already smiling at him.

“Jesus Christ,” Chim muttered. “Can we get some more dessert passed around? Something? Anything to get them to stop staring at each other like they hung the moon?”

A round of laughter went around the room.

“Okay, here,” Maddie said, handing a plate of cheesecake and macarons to Eddie.

Buck watched Eddie as he took the plate from Maddie and set it in front of him. He immediately went for the macaron, picking it up and looking at it.

“Wow, this looks incredible,” he said softly, more to himself than anything. He lifted the macaron and bit into it, chewing slowly, savoring it. After he swallowed, he locked eyes with Buck. For a moment, he just looked at hime. “This is amazing. You made these?”

Buck nodded. “I did, yeah.”

“Christopher would love these.”

“Take some home for him,” he said automatically. “Take them all, if you want.”

“Hey! Wait a minute!” Ravi protested. “I want to take some home with me!”

“Ravi, you’ve eaten your body weight in macarons already. Let the little boy have a treat,” Athena teased.

“Oh, I’m sure Chris has eaten his body weight in sweets tonight too,” Eddie said. “My aunt Pepa loves to spoil him, even when I insist he’s had enough sugar for the day.”

“Isn’t that what family is for?” Bobby asked. “Spoil the kids rotten, get them all sugared up, and send them home to their parents.”

Hen snorted. “Oh yeah, my mother loves to send Denny home after he’s eaten three pints of Ben and Jerry’s.”

“Speaking of,” Karen cut in, “we should probably get going. Our babysitter could only stay until ten.”

After a round of goodbyes, Hen and Karen left. Everyone else migrated back into the dining room to finish their desserts and fresh cups of coffee.

Buck set his plate of cheesecake on the table before sitting down. Eddie sat in the chair beside him.

“So you really made these?” Eddie asked, holding up one of the macarons.

Buck nodded, taking a bite off of his plate. “I really made them.”

“You didn’t just pick them up from a bakery and put them in your own container? Pass them off as your creation?”

Laughing, Buck shook his head. “I promise you, I made them. Completely homemade. Made with love and the utmost care.”

Eddie smiled softly at him. “I’m impressed.”

Every thought that had been running through his mind ceased to exist. The only thing that mattered right now was the fact that Eddie Diaz was impressed with his baking and the way the man was smiling at him.

It felt like butterflies were having a rave in his stomach.

“Impressed with me?” Buck asked.

Eddie didn’t say anything. He just stared at him, wearing that same smile that had been slowly dismantling Buck all night.

“Or–you were talking about my baking, weren’t you? Not me. The macarons. The-the baking,” Buck filled the quiet, the words rushing out of him.

Eddie shook his head. “No. Not the baking. With you.” He wrapped his hand around the coffee mug in front of him. “I’m impressed with you.”

Buck let the words settle, like he needed a second to catch up with Eddie.

“Oh,” he breathed. “With me.”

“With you,” Eddie confirmed.

Buck bit his lip, trying to suppress a grin. He scooped another bite of cheesecake and popped it into his mouth.

“Okay, everyone! This is the most important part of the night!” Chim exclaimed. “Please, give me your undivided attention.”

Everyone turned to him.

“Alright. So we ate appetizers. We ate dinner. We ate dessert. Now, we need you all to cast your votes for what was the best part of this culinary journey.”

Maddie rolled her eyes. “Chim, this is ridiculous.”

“Uh uh, Maddie, we need to know,” Chim tutted. “I won’t tell you what we’re competing for just yet. I don’t want your votes to be swayed. So, if you thought the short ribs were the better part of dinner, please raise your hand.”

Nobody raised their hands.

“Wha–are you serious?!” Chim shouted. “Guys!”

Bobby raised a hand in placation. “Chim, how are we supposed to pick what was better? Everything was fantastic.”

Buck nodded. “Seriously. You guys knocked this out of the ballpark.”

“But we made a bet.” Chim gestured between himself and Maddie. “Whoever wins best overall gets out of dish duty for the next month.”

“Oh, well in that case, my vote goes to Maddie’s stuffed mushrooms,” Buck said automatically.

“Wait–you weren’t supposed to know what the winner gets,” Chim tried to backpedal. “Pretend you didn’t hear that.”

“Mmm, I don’t think I can unhear that,” Athena laughed. “The cheesecake gets my vote. Is there honey in this?”

Maddie nodded. “There is!”

“It’s so subtle, but so delicious.”

“I can’t pick a winning dish,” Bobby said. “I want to vote for everything.”

“I’m with Cap on this one,” Ravi added. “A free meal is the best meal.”

Everyone laughed.

“Eddie, you haven’t cast your vote yet,” Athena pointed out.

Buck turned to him. Eddie was already looking back.

“I vote for the macarons,” Eddie said.

Everyone else turned to Buck. His face flushed, spreading down to his neck. He lost the ability to form words.

“Nope!” Chim interjected. “Not allowed! Buck does not get a vote!”

Eddie shrugged, completely unphased by Chim’s protesting. “Well, if that’s the case, I vote for cheesecake too.”

“Oh, c’mon. You’re just saying that because you have a sweet tooth.”

Buck’s eyes flicked to Eddie. He had a sweet tooth? There was so much he could do with that information.

“What does that matter?” Eddie argued.

“You’re a biased voter!”

“Shouldn’t have asked for my vote then.” Eddie punctuated his words with a big bite of cheesecake.

Buck snorted. “He makes a good point.”

Eddie held up his hand, clenched into a fist. Buck bumped his knuckles against it.

“Sure. Gang up on me. In my own home.”

Maddie set her hand over Chim’s wrist. “Honey, the short ribs were excellent. You did a fantastic job.”

Chim melted, preening under Maddie’s affection. “So did you, sweetheart. Buck was right, the mushrooms were incredible.”

“So, how about we just do the dishes together then?”

“Take the deal, Chim,” Buck stage-whispered, cupping a hand beside his mouth.

Ravi snickered, popping another macaron into his mouth. “You were about to lose anyway, dude.”

Chim pointed at Ravi. “You’re uninvited next time.”

Coffee cups were drained, cheesecake and macarons were eaten, and the night began to wind down. Bobby and Athena headed out. Ravi lingered for a while, telling stories about some of the tenants in his buildings, but he left soon after.

That just left him and Eddie.

“Well, I suppose,” Eddie said. “I should probably get going.”

Buck hesitated. He really didn’t want this night to end. This was the most fun he’d had in a long time. It’d been even longer since he’d made such a connection with another person.

“Me too,” Buck finally said.

They made their way towards the front door.

“Well, thanks so much for coming tonight,” Maddie said. “I’m so glad you both could make it.” She pulled Eddie into a hug before moving onto Buck.

Buck hugged her back. “I wouldn’t have missed it, Mads.”

“You’re hosting next time, pal,” Chim said. “And I will be judging everything.”

He laughed. “Okay, Chim. I look forward to it.”

Chim turned to Eddie. "I'll see you at work on Monday, Eddie. Enjoy your weekend off.”

Eddie pulled on his jacket. “You too. Enjoy dish duty.”

“Okay, get out of my house. Goodbye.” Chim opened the door and practically shoved Eddie out. Eddie laughed, his head thrown back.

Buck was obsessed with the sound.

____________________

Eddie pulled his phone from his pocket while he waited for Buck to say his goodbyes to Maddie and Chim. He opened the Uber app, getting ready to order a ride home.

“Can I…walk you to your car?” Buck asked shyly, sauntering up to Eddie’s side.

He held his phone up, showing Buck the screen. “I Ubered here.”

“Oh.” Buck tilted his head. “Well, I can give you a ride, Eddie.”

“No, that’s okay. I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t ask. I offered.”

“It’s really okay, Buck, you–”

“Eddie.” Buck stepped a little closer, reaching for Eddie’s hand. “Let me give you a ride. I’m not quite ready to say goodbye yet.”

Buck’s hand was soft. Warm. Eddie never wanted to let go. His breath hitched.

“Yeah. Okay,” he conceded. “I’m not either.”

Buck smiled softly, tightening his grip on Eddie’s hand. “I’m parked around the block.”

“Lead the way.”

Buck led Eddie down the driveway to the sidewalk. Their shoulders brushed together with every step they took, sending goosebumps down his arm.

“I miss the stars,” Buck whispered.

Eddie looked over at him. His head was tipped back, looking up at the night sky. He copied Buck, tipping his head back too. The sky was mostly dark, but it never truly got pitch black in LA with all the city lights. The stars were snuffed out.

“Me too,” Eddie murmured.

“There was this dark park back in Hershey,” Buck started, “where I’d go to see them. It was…breathtaking.”

Eddie turned to look at Buck. His gaze caught on Buck’s throat, the soft line of it exposed as he stared up at the sky.

He let out a soft exhale. “So are you.”

Buck inhaled softly, dropping his eyes to Eddie’s. His eyes were wide, almost electric.

“What?”

Eddie squeezed his hand. “You’re like the stars.”

Buck blinked. “I’m…I’m like the stars?”

Nodding, Eddie rested his head against Buck’s shoulder as they walked.

“Bright,” he murmured. “Bigger than life. Beautiful.”

Eddie’s not sure where all of this confidence is coming from, but he could get used to it. Especially the way Buck became breathless when he complimented him.

“Eddie,” Buck breathed, barely a whisper. Buck tipped his head, his cheek brushing against Eddie’s hair.

There was no fighting the grin that grew across his face, but Eddie couldn’t care less. The rest of the walk to the car was quiet, but it was the kind of quiet that didn’t need to be filled. It was a comfortable quiet, the one that lingered when you felt completely safe to just be.

“And here is your chariot, Mr. Diaz.” Buck exaggerated an accent, gesturing with wide arms to the jeep parked along the curb. “Only the finest of steeds for you.”

“Oh, why thank you, kind sir,” Eddie exaggerated the accent right back, shooting Buck a teasing grin.

Buck opened the door, bowing a little. “Anything for you.”

Eddie’s breath caught.

Those words could mean so much more.

He hoped they did.

He climbed into the passenger seat. Buck shut it behind him and rounded the front of the jeep, hopping in behind the wheel.

The second he started the jeep, music blasted from the speakers. Eddie jumped. Buck scrambled to turn the volume.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” Buck said.

Laughing, Eddie rested his head against the seat, turning to face Buck. “Was that Sabrina Carpenter?”

Buck’s face flushed. “Uh, it wasn’t not Sabrina Carpenter.”

“Is that the type of music you usually listen to?”

“It may be,” Buck admitted. “I like the fast-paced pop stuff.”

“Oh, so you’re a diva,” Eddie teased. “I should’ve known.”

Buck scoffed. “You know what? Yes, I am a diva. I deserve to be a diva. I bet you like that I’m a diva.”

Eddie nodded. “Diva’s are cool. I like divas.”

Buck’s expression softened. “I like divas too.” He furrowed his brow. “I mean–wait. Not that you’re a diva, I don’t know if you’re a diva. Yet. I–you know what? I’m going to stop talking now.”

Eddie laughed, his eyes crinkling. “No, don’t stop. You were doing so well!”

“You just want me to keep embarrassing myself!”

“It is very charming, Buck,” Eddie admitted. “I can’t lie.”

Buck stared at him for a long moment before covering his face with both of his hands. “Oh my god. Where the hell did you come from, Eddie Diaz? You were sent here to just continuously make me make a fool of myself in front of you, weren’t you?”

Eddie laughed again. He reached over, pulling Buck’s hand away from his face and linking their fingers together. “Look at me, Buck,” he said softly.

He heard Buck’s breath hitch. Another second passed before he did.

“I happen to find fools very attractive,” Eddie whispered. He lifted Buck’s hand to his mouth and pressed a gentle kiss to his knuckles.

“Oh my god, Maddie was right,” Buck whispered back. He sat like a statue in the driver's seat. His eyes were wide, the pupil’s so blown that the blue nearly disappeared.

Eddie’s stomach flipped. God, he was beautiful.

“What was Maddie right about?”

Buck cleared his throat. “Earlier, I was…nervous about, well, you.” Eddie squeezed his hand. It seemed to encourage Buck to keep talking. “She said you might be into fools. And—and you are. You just said you are, which is great for me because I am a fool and I always—”

“Buck?” Eddie interrupted softly.

Buck’s jaw snapped shut. A moment later, he said, “sorry. That happens a lot.”

“I’m starting to notice that,” Eddie teased.

“I hope it’s not a dealbreaker.”

Eddie shook his head. “Never. I like the sound of your voice, remember?”

“Oh, right,” Buck breathed. He cleared his throat. “So, where am I taking you?”

He didn’t want to tell Buck his address. He wanted to say where you go, I go, like there was an invisible string tying them together and if they separated, the string would break and then where would they be?

But, he didn’t say any of that. Instead, he mumbled, “4995 South Bedford street.”

Buck put the address into the navigation and pulled out into the street.

Traffic in Los Angeles was usually thick, suffocating. The highways were jammed, full of people going to work, their doctor appointments, the grocery store, wherever they were needed.

Eddie loathed the traffic. It was one of the only things he didn’t like about LA.

But, right now, with the roads clear and open, Eddie wanted nothing more than to be stuck in a traffic jam. He wanted the delays that usually slowed him down.

He wanted more time.

____________________

Eddie had gone quiet. He was staring at where their hands were still linked over the gear shift.

Buck kept glancing at him. The street lights glinted in his eyes, making them look a little bit sparkly.

Buck’s gaze flicked to the navigation. Only five minutes away from Eddie’s place.

Buck squeezed his hand. “Penny for your thoughts?” he asked softly.

Eddie took a deep breath. “Just thinking about how nice tonight was.”

Something in Buck’s chest tightened. A wave of warmth washed over him.

“It was,” he agreed. “Really nice.”

Eddie lifted his gaze, smiling. He stroked his thumb across Buck’s knuckles. “Maybe next time…it could be just us?”

Buck’s breath caught.

Next time, next time, next time.

He opened his mouth to answer, but—

“In fifty feet, your destination is on the right.”

Buck blew out a breath. “Impeccable timing.”

Eddie chuckled. “I live for the drama.”

He flicked the blinker on and pulled into Eddie’s driveway. The jeep rolled to a stop. He put it in park.

“See? I knew you were a diva,” Buck teased, turning in his seat to face Eddie. “But, yes. I would really like that, Eddie.”

The corners of Eddie’s mouth turned up, suddenly looking shy. “Would you like to go to dinner with me? Maybe on Sunday?”

“Yes,” Buck said automatically. “Yes, I would like that a lot.” There was no fighting the grin that crossed his face.

“Yeah?” Eddie asked softly, like he couldn’t quite believe what Buck had said.

“Yeah,” Buck confirmed. His eyes flicked down to Eddie’s mouth before darting up again. “Sunday night.”

Eddie grinned. “Okay. I’ll pick you up at seven?”

“Seven is perfect.”

For a moment, neither of them moved. They just looked at each other like they were trying to convince each other that they were real.

But then, Eddie reached for the door handle.

Buck blinked. “Wait.”

Eddie paused, already halfway out the door. He glanced back. “Yeah?”

“I’m going to walk you to your door,” Buck said, like it was obvious. He crawled out of the jeep. “Like a proper gentleman.”

“Oh, my knight in shining armor,” Eddie joked.

They met at the front of the jeep. Buck extended his hand. Eddie grabbed it without hesitation, holding him tightly.

Together, they walked to the front door. Eddie unlocked it, but he made no move to go inside.

“I don’t want to say goodnight,” Eddie whispered.

“I don’t either,” Buck murmured back. “I had a really, really nice time tonight. I kind of feel like…I’ve known you forever.”

Eddie smiled, soft and gentle. “Same here. Maybe we knew each other in another life.” His gaze dropped to Buck’s lips and stayed there for a couple of seconds. “Buck? Can I–”

“Yes,” Buck cut him off.

And then he kissed Eddie.

Eddie’s lips were soft and warm, like the rest of him. The kiss wasn’t rushed or desperate. Buck melted into it, gently setting his hand on Eddie’s waist as Eddie’s fingers brushed against his jaw, sending a little shiver through him.

Buck had kissed people before. Plenty of people, actually.

None of them had ever felt like this before.

This felt safe. Warm. Right.

When they finally broke apart, Eddie pushed his forehead to Buck’s.

“I don’t usually kiss on the first date,” he whispered, a little breathless.

Buck let out a breath, soft and disbelieving. “Guess I must be special then.”

“You are, Evan Buckley.” Eddie leaned in, pressing another lingering kiss to his mouth. “You really are.”

“You know what the craziest part of tonight is?”

Eddie hummed. “What’s that?”

“We weren’t even on a date. We were at my sister’s dinner party.”

Eddie laughed softly, dropping his forehead to Buck’s shoulder. Buck wrapped his arm around him, resting his chin on top of Eddie’s head.

“I am so thankful for your sister right now,” Eddie said.

“You and me both.”

They stood on the porch, wrapped up in each other's arms for a few moments. The crickets chirped somewhere in the grass. Somewhere in the neighborhood, a dog barked. The soft breeze rustled the leaves on the trees.

“I think tonight probably could count as a date,” Eddie muttered. “It sure felt like one.”

“I can’t wait to take you on a proper date on Sunday.”

“Uh uh, nope.” Eddie shook his head. “I’m taking you on a proper date on Sunday. Don’t get it twisted.”

“Oh. Well okay, then,” Buck conceded. “Bossy.”

“You like it.”

“Busted.”

Eddie laughed. “Okay, as much as I don’t want to, I should probably go inside. I can’t make you stand on my front porch all night.”

“I’d do it. Happily.”

“Maybe we can do that for our third date.”

Buck’s breath hitched. They hadn’t even been on their second date yet. Technically, they hadn’t even been on a first date, but Eddie was already talking about a third date.

“Buck? You okay?” Eddie lifted his head off of Buck’s shoulder and looked at him.

“Yeah, sorry,” he chuckled. “All good. Never been better, to be honest.”

“Me neither,” Eddie agreed. He stepped back, putting his hand on the door handle. “Okay. I should go.”

“Yeah. Yeah, me too.”

Eddie hesitated before leaning in and pressing one last kiss to Buck’s mouth. “Goodnight, Buck,” he said softly.

“Goodnight, Eddie,” Buck sighed against his lips.

Eddie turned towards the door. He glanced over his shoulder. “Sunday.”

Buck nodded. “Sunday.”

Eddie opened the door and stepped inside, shooting Buck one last smile before he closed it.

Buck didn’t stop smiling the entire drive home.