Page 35 of Small City Heart
“Will you dance with me?” Charlie asked, and Patrick smiled.
All the fear and emotion and panic in him floated away. Patrick was smiling. Everything would be okay.
“Are you staking your claim, Charlie North?”
“Would you let me?” He pulled Patrick into his arms and gazed down at him.
Patrick’s hair was wild around his shoulders, and the lights stretching above the dance floor sparkled in his eyes.
“I think I would.”
“Good.” Charlie grabbed Patrick’s precious face in his hands and kissed him firmly.
He barely noticed the hoots and hollers around them. Patrick stepped fully into his embrace and wrapped his arms around Charlie’s back.
They sipped from each other’s lips—soft, sweet kisses that made all of Limestone Drive spin—until Charlie finally had to pull back to catch his breath.
“Do you really own five of my photographs?” Patrick asked, and Charlie laughed.
“I do. I trade out the one above the sofa depending on the season. And there’s one in my guest room that you didn’t see. I’ve been saving up for one for my bedroom.”
“Why in the world do you have so many?”
He shrugged and kissed the corner of Patrick’s mouth. “They’re so dramatic and pretty. Plus, they’re yours, and I’ve had a crush on you since I was fifteen. Seeing this place I love through your eyes … It’s indescribable, Patrick.”
“That’s how I feel seeing it through yours. And now you, and Arnold, and Rachel, and Suzy—you’ve all made me think …” He shook his head and laughed.
“What?” Charlie asked.
“That I could belong here. That I’m wanted.”
“You are. God, sweetheart, I want you. I know this is new and unformed, and maybe I’m pushing too hard or too fast, but I want you. Even if that only means pen pals or long-distance friends or—”
“Boyfriends.”
“Is that what you want?”
Patrick shrugged and a huge smile broke across his face. “Maybe. I think I’m ready to come home.”
Charlie sunk his fingers into Patrick’s hair, and they stared at each other, ridiculous smiles on their faces. The song switched from a country love ballad to a faster tune.
“I don’t know how to two-step,” Patrick said, his mouth twisting into a silly smile.
“That’s okay. I’ll teach you.”
“Or we could keep on like this.” Patrick tilted his head back and stared up at the stars above them.
Charlie had to stop himself from mauling Patrick’s perfect throat with his lips. “Yeah. Let’s do that.”
