Page 1 of I Think They Love You

Prologue

Junior Year—Fall Semester

When it comes to celebrating life’s biggest moments, Denz has seen it all.

Themed birthdays and anniversaries. Graduations to retirement parties. The engagement to wedding day to baby shower or, on occasion, a luxurious soirée welcoming the happy couple’s first pet.

Yes, a “pawty.”

Event planning is his family’s legacy.

And at twenty-one, he’s also witnessed every version of a behind-the-scenes disaster that comes with those big moments. The ruthless arguments over a party budget. The melting sweet-sixteen cake after someone used sparklers instead of traditional candles. Multiple doggy ring bearers ruining pristine wedding dresses. That awkward moment when the drunken father of the bride—because, of course, her familyinsistedon an open bar—gives a speech about how much he hates his new son-in-law in front of two hundred reception guests.

Anyevent involving two families interacting for the first time is typically a disaster in the making.

Which is why Denz is very casually doing breathing exercises in his boyfriend’s Toyota Corolla. He refuses to lose his shit in the middle of a parking lot in Athens, Georgia. So what if his own Big Moment is approximately one hour and ten minutes away.

He’schill.

“Okay,” Bray is saying as he climbs back into the passenger seat while juggling two large cups and a bag overflowing with food, “I got us a ton of options.”

Denz exhales one last time. Outside, The Varsity on West Broad Street stands out in a pop of white and red against the gray December sky. They’re only five minutes from the University of Georgia’s campus. He can turn around. Spare them both this whole first in-person encounter.

But then his gaze falls on Bray. Honey-brown complexion stained a bright pink from the cold. A wool beanie hiding his dark buzz cut. That perpetual boyish look in the corner of his brown eyes. His goofy expression.

“Two slaw dogs,” Bray lists off. “Double bacon cheeseburger. Triple burger. Fries. Chicken nuggets. Two fried peach pies. Varsity Orange for me. Frosted Orange for you.”

“Sorry.” A smile teases Denz’s mouth. “Are we driving to Atlanta orNebraska?”

“Road trips require supplies.”

“This—” Denz waves a hand at all the food unloaded in Bray’s lap. “—is a feast!”

“So… should I have got more nuggets? Onion rings?”

Denz cranks the heat to help settle Bray’s shivering. “Not if you plan on kissing me later.”

“A fair trade.”

Denz ignores his sarcasm. He watches Bray stab a straw into his cup. The way his leg bounces. All the anxious energy pouring off him like a dog shaking raindrops from its fur.

He’s seen this side of his boyfriend before. At swim meets where Bray hasn’t placed less than fourth in a race all season. Before a test Bray’s obsessively studied for.

The other day when Denz suggested they go hometogetherfor winter break this year.

“You’re nervous,” he comments.

In less than two hours, Bray’s meeting Denz’s parents for the first time.

“I’m not,” Bray insists. He rips open a ketchup packet with his teeth, building a hill to dunk his fries in. It’s the only way he can eat them.

“They’re gonna love you.”

“I know.” Bray doesn’t look very convincing while slurping his orange soda. “You’re the one shitting his boxers. I saw that face you made at the gas station. When your mom called.” He imitates an expression that’s somewhere between a cat puking and a puppy straining to poop.

Denz chucks a fry at his forehead. “I didn’t look like that.”

“You did. It was cute.”

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