Page 136 of Hard to Judge

He surprises me, as he often does, and pivots toward the main hallway. He snags Hota’s hand, dragging him along. As we walk, he tucks me into his side.

“What are you doing?” Hota asks, snatching up what Arlo offers with a smile.

“Bringing my lovers for a nightcap.” Arlo shrugs, a typical Hota move.

Hota’s gaze narrows.

“While also showing them off.” Arlo lifts his chin and leads us into the showroom. “So everyone will know who we are to one another.”

Judging by the moans filtering down the corridor, there is most definitely a show going on.

Arlo doesn’t seem to notice or care. He ushers us across the front of the room, between the rows of tables, and stops at one in the center of the room. He pulls a chair out, turns it to face the front of the room, and then tugs Hota to it.

“Sit,” he barks.

“I—” He begins to protest, but Arlo cuts him off with his sharp gaze.

Hota sits with an almost petulant huff. His legs go widespread, and he slumps back in the chair, resting one elbow on the table.

The moment he’s situated, Arlo tugs me down to the floor with him.

A smile rips at my previously flatlined mouth as we kneel at Hota’s feet.

“In case the three-person vanity, the enlarged closet, the custom bed, her permeant panther tattoo, my claiming you in front of Nate, our declarations of love and adoration, and yourcum currently dripping out of my ass weren’t clear enough, let me be as clear as possible. Hmm?” Arlo’s expression is as serious as I’ve ever seen it.

Hota opens his mouth to speak, but Arlo beats him to it.

“I’m sorry to interrupt what I’m sure is a glorious show, but I need your attention for just a moment please,” Arlo bellows across the large room with his well-worn voice.

The room goes quiet, save for the rustling of people turning to figure out from where the request came.

Arlo stands and waves. “If you’ll all bear with me for a moment, I’ll make it worth your while.”

The room bursts with murmurs for a moment, and then goes quiet.

“This man has been my best friend for nearly twenty years,” Arlo says, doing a Vanna White gesture toward Hotaru. “He has protected me, been my closest confidant, and loved me when I was damn near unlovable.” He swings his Vanna hands toward me. “This woman stormed into my life and showed me what it means to love. Together, they slayed my demons and brought me back to life.” He draws in a deep breath, his shirt gaping and revealing bits of his scars and gorgeous body.

“For the rest of my life, I will show them that loving me is worth the risk. I will love them and honor them and give them the most incredible experiences I can. I will live my life with them and for them, if they will have me.” He tugs me and Hota up, and then drops to one knee.

The room goes bonkers around us. My eyes don’t leave Arlo’s. He holds our hands, and Hota and my hands immediately find each other’s and clamp tight together.

“Legally, I can’t marry both of you, but I will ask you this. Take my last name, live your lives with me, with each other, us together for as long as we live?” Arlo smiles at us, his gaze darting back and forth.

My answer sits on the tip of my tongue, ready to bound off. Still, I wait. I look at Hota, whose eyes are wide. His cheeks are coated with tears. He looks between me and Arlo.

“Answer him first.” I squeeze his hand.

“Yes,” he blurts.

A laugh bursts out of me, and I’m instantly crying. “Yes.”

The room erupts around us.

Arlo jumps to his feet and grabs us to his chest. He peppers us with kisses all over our sloppy faces.

“Oh my god.” Hota gasps. “I can’t believe it.” He stares at Arlo with his pretty mouth agape.

“Fucking believe it,” Arlo urges. “I don’t know how many more grand gestures I can manage.” He sighs. “I could buy the front page ofThe Timesor rent one of those planes that writes things in smoke and have it fly over the city every day for a month.”

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