Claire held up her thumb encouragingly. “Any T-shirt isfine, except the one with the fake bow tie.”
“Got it,” Milo said and went to get ready. Even though he was still uncertain abouthowto get ready for a sleepover date.
He took a shower because he had sweat a lot between the elevator and his bedroom, thanks to his mother. But was Milo supposed to shave and do his hair? It seemed like the obvious thing to do before a date but Milo never shaved before he went to bed. His stubble wasn’t that thick and Elio often had a light beard so Milo decided to skip shaving and put just enough product in his hair to keep it from looking like a loofah.
In his closet, Milo chose his favorite Pluto shirt and a pair of newer flannel pants, and white socks. He packed his toiletries, jeans, boxers, and a hoodie in his backpack, like he was spending the night at Jack’s. But Milo tucked the condoms in the outside pocket instead of stuffing his bag with candy from his secret snack stash.
“This is so weird,” Milo said as Claire kissed his cheek at the door and handed him a box of popcorn and a wrapped plate of peanut butter cookies. Riley had made them and dropped them off while Milo was getting ready.
“Have a good time at Elio’s and let me know if you need anything.”
In the hallway, Milo juggled everything as he took his right arm out of the backpack’s strap and let it hang from his left side. He already looked like a middle schooler in his ensemble and red Converse. Milo took a deep cleansing breath, reminding himself and his racing heart that hewantedto be there and that he was perfectly safe. He gave the door a knock and calmly exhaled the way his therapist had taught him to prevent a panic attack.
The door opened and Milo forgot about how nervous he was or how silly he probably looked as Elio smiled back at him, dressed in a fuzzy, baby blue onesie.
A loud laugh burst from Milo. “What is that?”
“This?” Elio looked down at himself cluelessly. “I usually sleep naked and this is the closest thing I had to pajamas.”
“Do I want to know why you have that if you don’t sleep in pajamas?” Milo asked as Elio stepped aside and waved him in.
“Theo made me wear it for Easter pictures,” Elio said wearily. “The things I endure for my brothers.”
“I think it’s cute.” Milo passed Elio the cookies and the popcorn and sniffed at the air when he smelled something delicious. “Is that Chinese food?”
“It was just delivered. I asked Seth what your usual order was and he set it up for me,” Elio explained while unwrapping the cookies and stuffing one in his mouth. “I’m glad you like the onesie, I was hoping it would be a good ice breaker.”
“It worked!” Milo said but his nerves and his hopes soared when Elio led him onto the back terrace.
Blankets and pillows had been piled next to a metal fire pit and a large gas fire glowed invitingly. String lights had been hung and there were jars of tea lights scattered around the terrace. The takeout containers, chopsticks, and the ice bucket with the bottle of champagne made Milo feel like a grownup and special.
“You did all of this?”
“Felicity told me what to do and I paid a man to put up the lights,” Elio said dismissively as he took Milo’s backpack and set it on a nearby lounge.
“I can’t believe you did all of this!” Milo grabbed Elio’s hand and pulled him down onto the blankets and began investigating the containers. “It’s my perfect dream date,” he stated with a decisive nod.
“I’m glad,” Elio replied. “Champagne?” he asked as he reached for the bucket.
Milo nodded. “Yes, please!”
“I wasn’t sure if you had bad memories from your first drink. But Felicity said to get champagne so it’s clear this is aromanticsleepover and not a platonic sleepover,” Elio said and Milo hummed.
“That’s smart. The onesie is sending mixed signals.” He took a sniff and smiled when the bubbles tickled his nose. “I’ve had champagne a few times since the wedding and my impression of that night gets better, the more I think about it.”
“Good!” Elio tapped his glass against Milo’s. “That night meant a lot to me and it’s why I came to New York.”
“I still can’t believe that! I felt like such a goober and I was hoping you wouldn’t remember.”
“Then I was a goober too because I thought you were fascinating and brave. I hate weddings and receptions but you managed to be polite and interesting despite your anxiety. You always maintain your ability tothink,even when you’re overwhelmed and uncomfortable and I thought it was very kind of you and your father to travel all that way with your disabilities.”
Elio hypnotized Milo as he talked, opening a pair of wooden chopsticks and deftly feeding him a dumpling.
“We did it for Jonathon. Muriel was all the family he had before we became friends. But we had a great time,” Milo said between bites of lo mein noodles and stir-fried vegetables. “Riley and Max set everything up so we could go on ‘quiet tours’ of London, Paris, and Vienna. The Eiffel Tower was still busy because Paris never sleeps but it was amazing to see the city at night.”
“Quiet tours,” Elio noted and nodded along as he listened. “I do enjoy traveling and wondered how I’d take you with me.”
Milo’s attention shifted from Elio’s hands to his face. “You want to take me with you?” While Milo had appreciated all the effort and had fun in Europe, his week overseas had been exhausting and he had sworn he had no desire to leave New Yorkagain. But now, traveling with Elio sounded like an adventure andsafebecause Milo knew he would be in good hands.
