Page 142 of Tobias

“When is it?” I ask sweetly, hoping he’lljust tell me.

“Tell me something first,” he says, picking up his mug to finish his coffee. “What the hell kind of name is Donald Wren?”

The name I used when I booked a date with him.Damnit. I groan, my head falling back on my shoulders.

“Do wehaveto talk about that?” I whine, covering my face. Can the floor open up and swallow me whole?Please?

“Well, we do now,” he says with a laugh.

“It’s stupid.”

“Even more of a reason to hear it. Come on. Tell me.”

Chewing on the corner of my lip, I watch him, hoping he’s going to tell me he’s joking; that he really doesn’t care. But that won’t happen. Once his mind is set on something, that’s that.

“Fine,” I huff. “I was trying to be funny, I don’t know. I went with the whole Pluto thing, but couldn’t think of a name having to do with a planet, so instead I went with Pluto the dog.”

“The dog?” he asks humorously.

“Yes, the dog. And Donald is one of his friends, so...”

“And wren is…”

I hold his gaze, not wanting to say the rest of it because it’s really stupid. Embarrassingly stupid, and I don’t want to admit it. I never thought I’d have to explain this to him. If I did, I would have chosen something better.

“Wait,” he says, a slow smile forming on his lips. “Wren as in thebird? Instead of duck?” He barks out a laugh. “Creativityis not your strong suit, is it?” His laughter is growing, even though he’s trying hard to stop it. So, I do the most reasonable thing possible and tear off a piece of my pancake and throw it at him.

“Hey!” he says as he picks it off his shirt and puts it on his plate.

“You’re being mean,” I whine.

“Aw, baby…”

He gets up to come over and kiss me, soft and sweet. When he pulls back, he’s smiling. He cleans the dishes up, putting them in the dishwasher before taking his seat again and asking, “So, when do you start this new job?”

“Monday.”

“Look at you being all independent. It’s almost like you don’t even need me.”

I purse my lips, leaning back in my chair. “Even if I didn’t, I’d want you, anyway.”

His grin is blinding, and all I can think about is the first time I saw him. I was in disbelief of his beauty then, and I’m in disbelief now.

“Are we really doing this?” I ask, the words coming out raspy.

His smile slowly falls, and he looks at me seriously. “As long as it’s what you want.”

“It is,” I say adamantly.

“Forever? Because I don’t think I can handle anything less, Theo.”

I get out of my chair and go to him, staring down at him for a few seconds before dropping to my knees. “Forever, Tobias. I promise, I want forever with you. I want everything with you.”

“Everything, huh?” he says with a chuckle, running his fingers along my chin. “I guess we should start by going to get our dog.”

Our dog.

I lean into his hand, then turn my face to kiss his palm. “I could use a visit with her.”

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