Page 33 of Wish Me Home

“Did you want me to make you guys something for dinner? That way you don’t have to worry about it. You can just surprise him.”

I stopped what I was doing with the lights and pulled my aunt into a hug. She was always so thoughtful. She’d accepted Cody and my relationship with him without question. The same couldn’t be said about his parents. His mom had tried calling one more time after our misadventure in Portland. She insisted he give up his silly job and his “boyfriend” and move back home. He officially cut ties.

“You’re the best, Aunt Sadie,” I sighed into her hair, releasing the hug.

“I know I am. Now, what would you boys like to eat?”

Codysethisjacketover the back of the chair as he came in the door. “What’s that smell?”

I popped my head out of the bathroom and grinned when I saw him. I quickly set down the razor and washed the rest of the shaving cream residue off of my face. Basically jogging into the front of the apartment, I tackled Cody into a hug.

“God, I missed you.” I kissed his lips, and he chased me when I went to pull away.

“I missed you too. That was only four days this time, and it seems to get harder every time,” he said as he released me and wandered to the little kitchen island. He noticed the two plates set with steak, fingerling potatoes, and broccolini. There was a glass of red wine next to each plate and he grabbed the two glasses, handing one to me.

“Aunt Sadie cooked us dinner tonight?” he asked.

I laughed, tapping my glass to his and taking a sip of the rich wine. “That easy to tell, huh?”

“No offense, Emmett. You try, but this is nothing like what you cook.”

He wasn’t wrong. We sat and ate our meal, grabbing the bottle of wine and moving to sit on the bed. He flipped on the TV and switched on Netflix. We found a cheesy Christmas movie to watch together, and he refilled our glasses.

“You know, a year ago, when I was sitting all annoyed in the airport, I never would’ve imagined this is where I’d end up when you started talking to me,” I said, swirling my glass and watching as the deep red liquid spun.

Cody sighed, sinking into my side and taking a sip of his drink before he took both of our glasses and set them on the bedside table. “Yeah, I didn’t think this was where I’d end up either. But, Emmett, I’m glad I did. I love being here. I love you.”

His words warmed my chest, and it wasn’t just the alcohol. We’d said the words to each other a handful of times since that trip to Portland when we’d both agreed that it was too soon.

Cupping his cheeks, I pulled his face close and kissed him slowly and deeply. We pulled apart, and I stared into his twinkling eyes. “I love you so much, Cody Summers.”

We fell back into the bed, cheesy Christmas movie long forgotten as we got lost in each other. This by far had been the best Christmas together, and I hoped for many more to come.

THE END

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