Page 14 of Treehouse Whispers
Jamie’s grip tightened as his face lit up. “Really?” he said, surprise and hope echoing in his voice.
“Really.” He stared at their joined hands. “You get me, Jamie. You don’t push me to do things I don’t want to do. You understand my limitations but ask enough of me to make me feel like I mean something…that I’m worth something. I have loved you since I was a teenager but never thought you felt the same. I locked it away and have been content being your best friend.” Benji peered at him again with tears in his eyes. “But I love you with everything I am and everything I’ll be.”
Jamie’s free hand cupped Benji’s jaw and wiped away the tears with his thumb. “I love you.” He leaned in, and Benji refused to close his eyes until their lips had touched for the second time, terrified it was a mirage. They fluttered shut as Jamie took little sips from his bottom lip, then his top lip before claiming his mouth. Benji gasped, allowing Jamie entrance.
Benji couldn’t believe he was here kissing Jamie. He held tight to Jamie’s hand while his other hand gripped Jamie’s bicep. He never wanted to let go. But too soon, Jamie pulled back.
“I can’t believe this is real,” Benji whispered.
“It is real. It is true. It’s been a long time coming,” Jamie declared. He sat back on his cushion but retained hold of Benji’s hand. “I think we need to keep this between us for a short time.” Jamie held up his hand when Benji was going to interrupt. “Only for a few days or a week, until we know where we stand with each other. Just think, if we tell our parents now…what will their response be?” Jamie raised his eyebrows in question.
Benji hesitated, grimacing. “They’d throw a party.”
“Exactly. I was thinking, we’d keep this between us until your birthday next week. Then, as you already know, you’re having a party, albeit a small one, there is no reason for them to throw another one.”
Benji smirked. “Sneaky.”
“I try.” Jamie chuckled then sobered. “I have a gift for you.”
“Why?” Benji asked.
Jamie laughed again. “Because it’s Valentine’s Day, and I wanted something to represent my feelings.” He reached under his cushion, bringing out a palm-sized box wrapped in red paper with a gold bow and passing it to Benji. “Open it.”
Benji stared at it for a few moments before pulling off the bow and paper. A velvet-covered jewellery box was left, and Benji opened the lid.
“Now, I know you wouldn’t like the idea of rings or watches because of your painting, so I chose something slightly different but along the same lines.”
Nestled inside the box was a silver chain necklace with a single gold band hooked onto it. Benji gasped. “It’s gorgeous.”
“I’m glad you like it. I’m not proposing, but the ring signifies a promise to each other until we both agree on what the next step will be. Is that okay?”
“More than okay,” Benji whispered, tears threatening again.
“Let me put it on for you.” Jamie clasped it around his neck, the chain warming immediately to his body temperature.
Benji’s emotions were all over the place. Jamie loved him.Jamie loved him.No matter how many times he said it in his head, he couldn’t believe it.
“I didn’t get you anything! I forgot it was Valentine’s Day,” Benji said, frowning.
“It’s fine. I don’t need anything. I have you,” Jamie insisted, leaning forward to plant a kiss on Benji’s lips again. “Let’s eat something, and we can talk about our plans.” Jamie grinned.
“Plans?” Benji squeaked.
“Yeah. What have you got planned for next week?”
Benji huffed a laugh and relaxed. “I thought you were talking about our future. I was about to hyperventilate.”
Jamie snickered. “No, not yet. Let’s get used to beingusbefore anything else.”
“I agree.” Benji leaned forward and grabbed a sandwich. “Oh, I had a call from the gallery today.”
“What did they have to say?” Jamie picked up a sandwich and a sausage roll.
Benji finished his mouthful. “They’ve sold my paintings.”
“Which ones?” he asked, biting into the sausage roll.
“All of them,” Benji announced, watching Jamie closely.
