“Please? Please?” Ever said, clasping his hands together.
Arsen rolled his eyes. “Do I ever say no to you?”
Ever grinned. “Nope.”
Arsen checked the time once more before they headed out the door, keys in hand. They were right on time and Ever seemed none the wiser. Arsen fought the urge to gloat. Noah had said he’d figure it out immediately. But Arsen knew Ever never cared about his own needs.
Out on the street, they walked a short distance to where Arsen’s car was parked. Two girls leaned against the wall outside of a dive bar blaring hard rock loud enough to hear it behind the closed door.
“Hey, Arsen,” one girl cooed.
“No,” Ever said to the girl, leveling a hard stare at her until she looked away, rolling her eyes like she wasn’t terrified of him.
Arsen laughed. Ever was relentless. Even knowing Arsen had no interest in women didn’t stop him from terrorizing any girl who so much as looked his way.
“You’re such a monster,” Arsen teased as they reached the car.
His car. Arsen’s baby. His ‘69 dusk blue Chevy Impala. The car he’d dreamed about since the moment he laid eyes on it.
“How am I the monster? They’re the ones who try to hit on you when I’m standing right there. I just remind them you’re taken. I only use force when necessary.”
He opened Ever’s door, letting him slip inside before jogging around to the driver’s side. It had taken months to restore. Jericho had gifted it to him for his birthday. Well, what was left of it. It had been in terrible shape, barely more than the frame. But Jericho had also agreed to buy whatever parts Arsen had needed and had spent weekends helping him restore it.
He turned over the engine, smiling as it roared to life and purred. He patted the steering wheel.
“I swear you love this car more than me,” Ever said.
Arsen caught Ever’s gaze, his face lit by the street light above shining through the windshield. “I don’t love anything more than you,” Arsen said without hesitation, taking Ever’s hand and kissing it.
Ever melted, giving him a sappy look. “You can’t just say that stuff.”
“Sure, I can.”
They drove hand in hand in comfortable silence for the short drive to the restaurant, Ever’s leg bouncing faster the closer they got. He really did love the place. Noah had discovered it after he and Adam had been invited to the opening, and Ever had practically swooned the first time he’d taken him.
They rolled up to a brick building with black awning and wooden double doors.
The valet jogged up to them, opening Arsen’s door. “Hey, Arsen.”
They were there a lot.
Arsen tossed him the keys. “Hey, Jared.”
Jared winked at him and something unknotted in Arsen. Everything was still going to plan. He took Ever’s hand, opening the door to a warm room with soft amber lighting. Book Bar wasn’t just a bar but a restaurant and bookstore of sorts. The walls were dotted with nooks filled to the brim with books of all kinds. First editions, trade paperbacks, trashy dime store books from seventy years ago. Each booth or table sat in an alcove surrounded by books.
“Ever. Arsen.”
They turned to find the owner, Joe, rushing towards them. It was a family-owned business and they doted on Ever like he was actually a member of their family. Ever likely expected him to lead them to his favorite booth in the back, but, instead, he kept going through the restaurant to the atrium, a glass-encased room filled with books and greenery and dozens of tables.
For the first time, Ever looked confused. “Why are we out here?”
“Just for a change of pace?” Arsen hedged, toying with a menu they didn’t need.
Ever’s legs slotted with his under the table. “You’re being weird. Why are you being weird? You’re not gonna propose are you? If you propose to me and I’m wearing this ugly sweater in pictures, I will never forgive you.”
Arsen smiled. “I’m not proposing.”Yet. Arsen would propose there one day. Not now, because Ever had a plan. And they were still so young. But someday, after Ever graduated, he would bring him here and get down on one knee and finally make good on his promise to give him his last name.
Ever seemed temporarily appeased. “What are you thinking about?” Ever asked, taking his hand.
