Gabe shakes his head, he walks forward. “Doesn’t matter. Count me in.”
Elijah narrows his eyes. “It’s going to be a lot of work. I’m talking like every day.”
Gabe keeps nodding enthusiastically. “I’ve got a lot of contracting experience.” Suddenly, he stops mid-step, eyes widening as an idea hits him. “Wait—can I…bring a friend?”
I press my lips together in a straight line, knowingexactlywho he just thought of.
“That depends. Is he going try and tongue-fuck my boyfriend?” Elijah tilts his head.
I smack my forehead with my palm as heat climbs my neck.This guy.
Gabe takes a moment, standing there, stunned. “Um…absolutely not.” He lifts out his hand.
Elijah looks down at his hand, taking a moment to judge this decision. But after a few seconds pass, he grips his hand, and they give each other a firm shake.
Hm, this will be interesting.
That familiar, gleeful smile returns to Gabe’s face. “Thank you. Thank yousomuch, both of you.” He walks backward toward his truck.
I give a wave as Elijah steps beside me.
“Don’t let me down, Gabe.” Elijah shouts out.
Gabe nods his head, and starts to drive off.
Elijah lays his head on my shoulder as we watch Gabe drive off into the distance.
Wrapping my arm around his back, I hug him close.
“That wasn’t a dumb decision, right? This isn’t just a plan to take you away from me?” Elijah sighs.
“Not in this lifetime, babe.” I smile before laying a soft kiss at his temple.
Elijah laughs, slapping my chest lightly. “In every lifetime.”
I take his hand, lifting it to my lips. “In every lifetime.” I repeat, laying a slow kiss on his palm as we lock eyes. “Now come on. We’ve got a Christmas to celebrate.”
48
Elijah
“We look ridiculous.” Tobias laughs, covering his face with his hands.
I take his palms away from his eyes, and pin them down by his sides, as we look at our reflection in the floor length mirror in the corner of the room.
“Don’t you dare. These are immaculate.” I wrap his arms around himself as I snuggle him close to my chest.
We’re wearing matching Christmas sweaters I bought online for the weekend—mine is blue with chunky snowflakes and a big snowman wearing a top hat in the center, and Tobias’s is red with oversized jingle bells all around and a big Santa Claus head in the middle.
“Why do we have to wear these again?” He chuckles, resting his head back on my shoulder so I can kiss his neck.
“Mmm, so we can be festive.” I mumble into his warm skin.
We made it here just before midnight, meaning we’ll be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day tucked away in the boathouse. Thankfully, we’d stocked up on everything we could possibly need for the weekend—heaters, food, and drinks—and the upper level of the lake house is still in good condition. If we need to use the restroom, we can, without having to deal with the damage on the ground floor.
For the first time, in what feels like forever, there isliterallynothing for us to worry about and it feels amazing.
All we’ve got to think about is being present. Here with each other is exactly where we’re supposed to be.
