It seemed like the door of the New York apartment opened before his knock landed, but that would have meant Zach was waiting for him, watching for him, and that was so unlike his friend, Chris dismissed the idea as his imagination.
“Hey!”
But Zach did pull him into a tight hug, which Chris readily accepted.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Chris called out cheerfully.
It was faked. The cheer. He loved seeing Zach but he wasn’t really up for a big Friendsgiving with all of Zach’s friends. He was exhausted, honestly. After months of no promo for films because of the strike, the studio was laying it on thick for the animated film he’d done a voice for.
“Let me take your coat. I have a fire going.”
Chris allowed Zach to take his overcoat as he stepped farther into Zach’s apartment. He was always telling Chris it was too big for just him, but he liked it too much to downsize. He was apparently the first to arrive, because he saw that Zach was alone. Chris had seen pictures of some guy Zach was seeing, but Chris couldn’t remember the dude’s name, and honestly Zach had kind of hinted the guy wouldn’t last.
After hanging up Chris’s coat, Zach turned to face him. “Glass of wine?”
Chris smiled. “Thought you gave up drinking.”
“Sure. But I’m the host with the most. Wine?”
“Sounds good.”
“I’ve even got mulled wine I can heat up for you.”
“Fancy. When’s everyone else arriving?”
Zach opened the fridge in his large kitchen. “You want the mulled?”
“Why not?”
“Have a seat there on the couch. The leather one, not the white. Obviously.”
Chris was amused. “Obviously.”
So he bypassed Zach’s pristine snowy white couch and went to the battered black leather one situated closest to the hall leading to Zach’s bedroom.
The seduction sofa as Chris referred to it. Only to himself. Zach was sensitive about that kind of thing.
But even Chris spent some heated moments being kissed and kissed with Zach’s expertise. And yeah, he made it down that short hallway to Zach’s bed.
Zach brought him a big glass mug of hot spiced wine a few minutes later and joined him on that same couch.
“Your folks weren’t disappointed you won’t be there for Turkey Day?”
Chris shrugged. “Nah. I’ll see them after. We’ll do a thing then. Not the first one I’ve missed and won’t be the last. They all of everyone understands.”
Zach nodded and took a sip of what spelled like orange spiced tea. He’d started liking spiced teas when he began filming Star Trek. Zach wasn’t exactly a method actor but he still managed to pick up some habits.
“Of course it’s been years since I had a Thanksgiving with a parent,” Zach said, musingly. “Even before Mom passed or was in the facility, well, the three of us hardly spent any holiday time together.”
The third one was Zach’s brother, Joe, of course.
“You’re always welcome at ours, if you’re ever in the area that time of year,” Chris reminded him.
And one time, during filming of Into Darkness, Zach had joined them for Thanksgiving. But he hadn’t been alone. Miles had come with him. And that was all a lifetime ago.
Zach gave him a smile. “Thanks, buddy.”
“What’s on the menu anyway?”
“The usual. Turkey. I thought about only roasting a breast but then I remembered you like turkey legs. Stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce.”
“The canned jelly kind?” Chris asked, hopefully.
Zach sighed dramatically. “Yes.”
“I know you think I’m nuts.”
“I do. But your questionable choice in cranberry sauce is the least reason.”
Chris rolled his eyes and sipped his mulled wine. “What time is everyone else coming?”
Zach shifted. “I should check on the turkey.”
He got up and almost ran to the kitchen.
Frowning, Chris put his mug of wine on the side table and followed his friend into the kitchen.
“What’s up?”
“Up?” Zach avoided his gaze.
“Yeah. I’ve asked a couple times about when the others are arriving and you don’t answer.”
“Fine.” Zach straightened up from trying to pretend he was looking in the over, even Chris could tell he wasn’t. “No one else is coming.”
For a moment, Chris could only stare. “They declined?”
Was it because he was coming? Some of Zach’s friends didn’t like him. They thought he’d come between Zach and Miles or whatever they thought. Chris didn’t give a fuck. But he didn’t want them ditching plans with Zach over him.
“You’re the only one I asked.”
“I’m…” Chris stopped, not sure what to say.
“Sorry if you wanted a big gathering,” Zach said, quickly. “I just thought—”
“Hell no!” Chris’s mood suddenly improved by quite a bit. “I didn’t want a big loud Friendsgiving.”
“You didn’t?”
He laughed. “Not in a million years. I’m absolutely thrilled it’s just us.”
Zach started to smile. “I wanted to ask you to bring your stuff so you could stay over but I thought you’d freak out if I asked.”
“Do I look freaked?”
“Not even slightly.”
“There’s your answer. Now it really is a Happy Thanksgiving. Gobble gobble.”
Zach smirked. “You are such a dork.”
“Mmm hmm.” And that’s when he decided to just go for it. He pulled Zach into a kiss.
Zach kissed back.
