Page 94 of Twice Shy

Joel stopped his words, stopped the world, with a kiss. He pressed his lips against Ollie’s, cupped the back of his head, and kissed him right there in front of the parents, the teachers, and the whole damned town.

Let them look, let them talk. Let them think what they liked about him. All he cared about was Ollie’s lips parting in welcome, his body softening in Joel’s embrace, and his own fearful soul finally finding peace.

He wasn’t sure how long it lasted, long enough to draw attention that was for sure. Eventually, he pulled back, smiling into Ollie’s happy face. “I should have told you months ago,” he said, stroking his cheek with the pad of one thumb. “I don’t know when, exactly, but somewhere between the Welcome Cookout and the Fall Festival, I fell head-over-heels in love with you. I wish I’d told you.”

Ollie curled his fingers around Joel’s hand, pressing his palm against his cheek. “For me, it was the Halloween Ice-Scream Social. When you swept in like a superhero.”

“I don’t feel very heroic.”

“You are to me. You saved me, Joel.” He smiled. “Kindness is your superpower.”

“Ollie…” Joel gazed into his eyes, lost himself in their liquid depths. “I was alone for four years before I met you. I planned on staying that way. Don’t you know that you savedme?”

“Then maybe we’re saving each other.”

Ollie drew him in for another kiss and when they pulled back Joel found a small boy tugging on Ollie’s arm.

“Ollie!” Rory exclaimed loudly. “Ollie, you said you weren’t going to kissanybodytonight!”

Ollie laughed, embarrassed. “I did, didn’t I?” His gaze lifted back to Joel’s. “I guess I hadn’t expected such a… grand romantic gesture.”

“Well…” Glancing across the room, Joel was not surprised to find Alyssa and Jackie watching them gleefully. Alyssa gave him the thumbs up and Joel’s cheeks warmed, but his smile didn’t dim as he turned back to Ollie. “Thank God for the PTA.”

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