Page 64 of The Grumpy Vet
I don't have much of an appetite, but I appreciate the effort they're making. God, I can't even imagine waking up alone and having to deal with this by myself. And thankfully, I don't have to.
I pick up my fork, but before I can add any bacon to it, it hits me again. "The clinic. Shit. I have a full day of?—"
"It's fine," Dario interjects. "Wilby is flying in this morning. Fitz and Muir are already there, and we've called in two temps who will be arriving tomorrow."
I blink rapidly. "You guys did all that?"
"Don't sound so surprised," Dario quips, smiling. "We can do more than just get you off."
I grin at that. Then smile. Then start laughing. Then end up in fucking tears. "Fuck. I'm a mess."
They get up and comfort me from behind. "You're allowed to be a mess," Ryde says, rubbing soothing circles on my upper back, which feels so, so good.
"Just like we're allowed to look after you," Dario adds.
"Wait." I sniff, trying to get myself together, and turn over my shoulder, peering up at Dario. "Aren't you meant to be leaving tomorrow?"
His light-hazel eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I'm convinced he's going to say that, yes, he is still leaving. That he's really sorry about the bad timing, but he has to go.
He quirks a brow. "You really think I'm leaving after what you said yesterday?"
Shit. What did I say yesterday?
Ryde chuckles. "He doesn't remember," he says to Dario.
"No. I remember. I'm just…thinking."
"Which, at his age, could take a while," Dario jokes.
I pull my chair out from the table, so they're now standing on either side of me. I take both of their hands in mine and kiss the tops of their knuckles in turn until I remember what I said.
Ohhhh…That.
It had slipped out, and I hadn't given it any thought in the moment, but maybe that's actually okay? Maybe it shows that while my timing wasn't great, the sentiment is true. Real.
Because it is.
I press my lips to Ryde's knuckles. "I love you."
I bring my lips to Dario's. "And I love you."
I glance up at my two beautiful guys. "I'm sorry it came out at a less than ideal time. But I want you to know, I mean it. With all my heart."
"Don't worry about that," Dario says, giving my hand a squeeze. "We love you, too. Don't we, Ryde?"
Ryde nods. "We sure do." Then he slides his hand out of mine and uses it to caress Dario's cheek. "And I love you, Dario."
Dario's breath catches in his throat, and his eyes well up. "I love you, too, Ryde."
They kiss, which instantly turns me on and has me itching to join in. "Room for one more?" I ask.
"Always," Ryde answers with a devilish giggle.
And then I'm making out with my guys, the two loves of my life, and for a moment, everything else that's going on in my life gets swept away as I fully surrender to this kiss, pouring all of myself into it.
When we eventually pull apart, I ask Dario, "Were you actually going to leave?"
"Well, yeah," he answers, dropping his gaze. "I mean, you guys didn't ask me to stay."
