Page 111 of Ethan

Daniel stepped closer, his lips nearly on mine. "I want to take you home with me—permanently. I never want to spend another night away from you."

I breathed across his lips. "Are you asking me to move in with you?"

"It would be a dream come true."

I slung my arms around his neck and closed the distance between us, caressing his lips with mine. This was a new level of commitment. And I was so ready for it.

We parted, my heart thundering. "I want to make your dream come true."

Daniel wrapped his arms around my waist, laughing, and spun me. I squealed, grinning until he set me down, gripped my face in both hands, and enveloped my mouth.

We were moving away from being boyfriends to being partners.

I felt light-headed.

In a good way.

This was it … the moment we were starting our life together.

I clung to him as we made a spectacle of ourselves. I didn't care. The rest of the world fell away. All there was … was Daniel. We were in love. We were moving in together.

I let the euphoria sweep me up.

Daniel signed the visitor book, and I followed him through a locked door. He had told me it was a toss up as to what we should expect from his mom. She had bad days and worse days.

I'd been reluctant to agree when Daniel asked me to come visit her with him. This was the woman who had allowed Daniel's dad to beat him. He felt obligated to go occasionally. There had been a period when their relationship was healthy. Loving and supportive.

He wanted her to meet me. He was proud of us and wanted to share his joy.

I couldn't deny him that.

I clung to his arm as we rode the elevator.

A care aide guided a resident away from the door when it slid open. I stayed close to Daniel. He tapped on a door with an office printed, faded picture of an elderly woman.

"Mom, it's me."

The door swung open. "Oh, thank God." A short round woman turned and went back to the main area of her room. She opened a drawer of her dresser. "It's not right."

Daniel followed her and looked in the drawer. "What isn't?"

"These." She took out a pair of underwear, unfolded them, and smoothed them out on the top of the dresser. "Here … this. They do it. Then … you know."

"No, I really don't. Who are we talking about?"

She glared at him. "You're useless."

"Thanks, Mom." Daniel pointed at a reclining chair. "Have a seat, Ethan." He sat on the edge of her bed. "Sit down, Mom. We're here for a visit."

"I'm dead."

"Not yet." Daniel set his hand on my knee. "Mom, this is the man I told you about. His name is Ethan. He's my partner." He tapped my knee. "My mom's name is Samantha."

"Sam," she grumbled.

"She prefers Sam."

"It's nice to meet you, Sam."

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