Page 147 of Love Is an Art
“Then we can keep the living room, and you can stay in your bedroom,” I say. “Not that you’re there that much since you spend so much time at William’s apartment.”
“I don’t like to be separated.” William embraces Miranda in a back hug.
Zeke reaches out to hold my hand, with a quick smile at me.We’re moving in together.Just like that. It’s so easy now.
“Should we join that jujitsu session if you’re going to continue your private detective business?” Zeke asks.
“I'm still so happy that the handwriting on the checks matched,” Miranda says. “You can go. We don’t have any customers right now, and William and I can handle it. ”
“Iris has promised us private lessons,” I say, winking at Zeke.
The strains of the band warming up sound in the background as Zeke takes my hand and pulls me into a secluded enclave of the garden, where the towering trees create a nook of privacy.
“Can I have the first dance?” he asks.
I kiss him quickly on the lips. “You can have all my dances—except for the ones I dance with my girlfriends.”
He pulls me into his arms, and I go willingly, feeling such a sense of rightness. The smell of honeysuckle combines with Zeke’s pine- and fresh-air scent, and I relax into him. He holds me tightly.
“I love you,” he says.
I look up at him. “I love you.”
The guitar chords resonate across the park, followed by the drums, and then Nick’s voice—clear and haunting—causes the crowd to hush. It’s a slow ballad, and I rest my head against Zeke’s chest as we sway to the music.
“They’re good,” Zeke says. “Do you think they take requests for salsa?”
I look up at him and grin. “We can always ask. Maddie said they were willing to play requests.”
“I think I’ve already received everything I’ve requested this year: the transfer and, most importantly, you,” Zeke says.
“I know I did,” I say.
He nuzzles my neck.
Ticklish, I giggle. “You know when you do that, I can’t concentrate on anything but you.”
“Is that supposed to stop me?” Zeke asks, the corner of his mouth tipping up. He lowers his head to kiss my neck again, and I laugh, squeezing my shoulders up.
Then I quickly kiss him on the lips in a surprise move.
“You’re right. That’s a better idea,” he says, and he kisses me, his hands framing my face.
I melt against him. I’ve found the love I was looking for. Our love is its own art—one that we have the rest of our lives to paint.
Epilogue - Zeke - Six-Month Anniversary
“Isitclose?”Iask, removing my bike helmet and smoothing down my hair. We’ve biked down to the East Village to try out this new restaurant that Ben recommended.
“Around the corner,” Zeke says, lacing his fingers through mine. “Come.”
We walk down the narrow block and turn the corner to a rather familiar street.
I glance at Zeke. “Look! The gallery where we met. We should see if they’re having a show.”
“Sure,” Zeke says.
Curtains block the front windows.
