Page 50 of You & I, Rewritten

“Oh, stop it, John,” she says in an old-timey accent when he finally releases her. Klair theatrically strikes a pose, flailing her long black jacket in the process, which sends my dad’s thunderous laughter echoing down our office hall.Ugh, people are most definitely watching.“I practically threw this on in the dark!” Her accent is even more pronounced on that one.Liar.

“Alright you two…that’ll be enough ofthat.” I don’t know how or when it exactly started, but whenever my dad and Klair get together, they bring out one another’s innerthespian. And if I don’t put a stop to this charade they do, it will never stop.Nerds.

I see Graham emerge from the opposite end of the hall, his face pinched and his shoulders raised, but when he finally lifts his gaze to mine, his body seems to relax ever so slightly. I watch as he runs a hand through his already perfectly styled hair and quickly adjusts his tie as he approaches.

“It’s so good to see you again, John,” Graham says, extending his hand toward my father.

“The Cowens are huggers, young man…get over here,” my father says, pulling Graham into a tight embrace.I could be completely making something out of nothing, but it looks like Graham visibly exhales in my father’s arms…like he needed this moment, and he didn’t even realize it.

“No flowers this time?” he teases, his hands still on Graham’s shoulders.

Graham pats his pockets, playfully looking around confused. “I know I left them somewhere around here.” The natural and easy banter that quickly formed between the two of them has blown me away. I knew everyone would adore Graham, but honestly, I never imagined it would be likethis.

My father turns his attention back to me. “I actually had a meeting downtown this morning and figured I’d see if you had time to grab a coffee with your old man…the two of you are more than welcome to join!” he says to Klair and Graham.

“You know I love a good excuse to annoy Will with you, John…but I actually have a mountain of work waiting for me thatthis onewill kill me if I don’t finish today,” she says, nudging Graham gently in the side with her elbow. I think Graham and I have matching eye rolls for once as she waltzes back to our section.

“And I have to get back tomydad to discuss a few things,” Graham says, his smile is genuine but fades slightly, just enough for me to notice, as he tilts his head back in the direction of his father’s office. “Thank you so much for the invite, but you two have fun!”

He turns away from us, quickly walking back toward Mitch’s office door. I watch as he shoves his hands in his pockets, using his shoulder to push open the heavy door and when it’s fully open, I can see Mitch isn’t alone as he stands there with his arms crossed and head lowered.

Luca.

Of coursehe’shere, which explains Graham’s demeanor and instantly causes my heart to ache for him.

“Looks like it’s just you and me, buddy,” my dad says, throwing his arm around my shoulder and leading me into the waiting elevator. I’m conflicted whether or not I should leave the office right now…what if Graham needs me?

Don’t be ridiculous.I know he can take care of himself but after everything that went down last night, my boyfriend senses are tingling.

* * *

“Your mother says hello,” he says, hanging up his phone before I can say hello back and placing it in his suit jacket pocket as I set our coffees down in front of us.

We made the quick walk to my favorite café around the corner from our building and of course, he had to call my mom on the way to let her know that we’d met up. I swear, the two of them narrate every single second of their days to one another, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t the cutest thing ever. Truthfully, I’ve always aspired to have what they have—a loving partner who isalsomy best friend.

“Everything alright, son? Is Graham okay?”

John Cowen is many things and intuitive is unquestionably one of them. Then again, I can feel the worry lines on my forehead so…

“He’s just got some family stuff going on at the moment.” It’s not my place to speak for Graham, so I am careful not to overshare.

“Well, I pray that everything will work itself out as things tend to do. Just make sure you are there for him.” My dad takes a long sip of his coffee, then another, before speaking again. “He’s the one, isn’t he?”

My father’s question completely catches me off guard, causing me to nearly choke on my coffee. “What do you meanhe’s the one?” I ask, playing with the coffee creamer containers in front of me instead of making eye contact with him.

“William Michael Cowen, I raised you to behonestwith your feelings, so don’t play dumb. Not with me.”

I know his sudden tone change isn’t serious, but he’s got a point. I have been tiptoeing around my feelings for Graham for months, and while I know I love spending time with him and am deeply attracted to him, I also know there’s more to it than that.

“I’m scared, Dad,” I quietly admit, the safety of this father-son conversation pulling the truth from my heart. I’ve never said the dreadedL wordto anyone before. But Graham? It’s different with him. He has shown me time and time again how different he is to anyone I’ve ever known.

“Of course you are, son…falling in love can be terrifying.” He leans forward, grabbing my forearm. “But it’s also the most beautiful and thrilling thing in the world. Everything changed the moment I met your mother, and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t appreciate the life that I have because of her.”

My dad has always worn his heart so proudly on his sleeve—it’s this quality of his that I admire most and not once have I questioned his love for us. It’s that type of brave and unnerving faith in love that I want so desperately for my own life, and for the first time ever,I’ve found someone I can see myself having it with.

“What are you scared of?” he asks, his empathetic eyes pouring into mine.

The truth is I’m not sure what scares me more…choosing to take that leap of faith and go there with Graham, only to find out that he doesn’t feel the same way. Or letting myself be open to love, only to have it walk away down the road…and what it would mean if it did.

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