Chapter 46

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The next day, Francis texted Mark and asked him about his evening plans. When it turned out Mark had none, Francis informed him that he’d come by with some food. When Mark didn’t object, Francis decided that it was a good sign.

He made honey garlic chicken with green beans and rice at Padraig’s house, packed it all up, and drove with the food and an overnight bag to Mark’s place.

Maybe he was trying too hard to make it into a date, but Mark seemed surprised and even happy when he saw what Francis had prepared for them.

“Hey, it doesn’t have to be a date if you don’t want it to be,” Francis told him as they set up the small kitchen table for two.

Mark flushed a little, then ducked his head and peered at Francis. “I’m not going to find candles or anything, but… this is real nice, Francis.”

And that, well, it was as much as an admission of Mark liking what they were doing that Francis was going to get right then, and that was fine by him.