Page 69 of Love in Mission City: The Shorts

I wanted to know, but I wouldn’t push.

“Maybe, if I try to bring you around, then things will be different.”

“As your boyfriend?”

His eyes widened.

Whether in horror or shock, I wasn’t sure.Quickly, I pressed my finger to his lips.“It’s okay—”

He shook his head, dislodging my finger.“It’s not okay.It is so far from okay.I love you.I’ve always loved you.And you’re here, and maybe this is a one-night stand, and maybe we’ll never see each other again, and—”

I pressed my finger to his lips.Firmer this time.“This is so the opposite of a one-night stand.It’s been a very long time since I’ve had a man in my bedroom.”I winced.“Well, inthisbedroom.”I’d been with a fling just a few weeks ago.It’d ended amicably as we hadn’t been interested in being a significant other during the holidays.I’d thought to ring him after the new year.Yep, not gonna happen.“I think Miss Mabel and Gertie would approve.They knew how I felt about you.”

He nipped my finger.“You never said.”

“We were young.I was Shan’s dance partner.You were, as far as I knew, very straight.Very jock.Very macho.I couldn’t see you wanting a guy like me.”

“Beautiful, lithe, graceful, and with a heart of gold?”He rolled his eyes.“No, I’d never want that.”

Fair point.

“But I don’t know what to do now.”

I cocked my head.

“I’m not ready to come out, but I’m not ready to lose you either.”

I pulled him in for a deep kiss.Our tongues parried.My body awoke.I’d never tire of this man.

“You don’t have to come out.”

“That’s not fair to you.”

I shook my head.“The right time will come.I believe it in my heart.And if we rekindle our friendship, there’s nothing wrong with that.I’m your realtor.Maybe I’ll feign a knee injury and you’ll have to be my physiotherapist.”

He poked my arm.“Don’t you dare.”He gave me a long penetrating look.“You’re really okay with this.”

“I am.”And I was.I was secure enough with myself that I didn’t need external validation.I didn’t need everyone to know my business.I’d once been demanding for the spotlight, but those days were long past.These days, I just wanted to be with the man I loved.“I love you.I think I always have, and I know I always will.”

He swallowed audibly.“Same for me.That I love you.That I have since we were teenagers.I’m so fucking glad my first time was with you.”

“I plan to be your only.”

“Yeah, that works.That definitely works.”

Before I sat up, he caught sight of the snow globe with a little reindeer that I kept on my nightside table.The one Miss Mabel and Gertie gave me the first Christmas I lived here.

“What are you doing for Christmas?”

Aw, crap.“I, uh, am planning a Harry Potter marathon.WithDie Hardthrown in for good measure.”

He didn’t look impressed.

“Marcus, I’ll be okay.”My first Christmas without Gertie, but I’d manage.We’d do a long video chat.

“I, uh, want you to come with me somewhere.”

My ears perked.

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