“Come on,” he pressed. “Haven’t we been through enough? Take my hand and let’s go enjoy the song like everybody else. If you’d prefer not to, I respect that, but I don’t give a damn who knows about how I feel about you. I’m proud to be my Pretty Thing’s boyfriend.”
The fear within me lingered, remnants of a not-so-distant version of myself that had kept closeted, who wasn’t even able to tell Eric for some time. However, even within the short time we’d spent together, I’d changed. I wasn’t that man Liam had first met. Not anymore. I was stronger than I’d realized. And with Liam standing before me, I knew we weren’t just strong enough for this moment, but to conquer the whole goddamn world as long as we were together.
I took his hand and rose to my feet, his grin offering me all the assurance I needed to know I’d made the right decision. “I’m proud to be your Pretty Thing.”
There was still some uneasiness about how my family would react, but each step we took toward the dance floor gave me confidence. When we reached the wooden-paneled part that indicated where the dance floor began, I noticed Jesse and Eric slow-dancing together, all smiles and laughter, before Jesse turned and did a double take. I winked at him and turned to Liam. As though we picked right back up after that night we’d danced at the cabin, we found our positions effortlessly. I turned back to see Jesse and Eric looking our way. Jesse had a warm smile on his face, while Eric appeared surprised, but after a moment, he offered a smile and a gentle nod. Jesse whispered something to him, and they moved right along.
I turned to Liam, who glanced their way.
“I think they might be onto us,” he teased, looking back to me.
“I doubt it. We’re so inconspicuous.”
We started moving to the beat, Liam taking the lead. I pulled close to him as we found this natural rhythm, something that seemed innate within us, as though we’d danced together like this for a thousand lifetimes before this one.
“Somewhat awkward, but not as much as it could have been,” Liam said.
“It was perfect. Thank you for doing that. I would have assumed this would be too big of a scene for you.”
“Maybe you need to be careful about making assumptions about me, then.”
Hadn’t I already learned that lesson?
We continued dancing together, sharing the song, getting lost in it with one another. Time slipped away from us as we shared the moment. With his lips curled into a smile, his eyes alight with enthusiasm, it was easy to get lost in him…just him. “Sometimes when I look at you,” I said, “I feel like the rest of the world is slipping away from me, and I don’t even care.”
His expression turned serious. “I understand the feeling. So many pieces of myself I feel like I’ve surrendered…relinquished. Ty, I’ve never thought about the future. Just today. And surviving right now. But the more time we spend together, the more I look forward to a future, because I want to spend it with you.”
The song faded out, and as the DJ started up a faster song, Liam moved forward quickly, our lips slamming against one another’s. In my mind, we weren’t in a crowded room—it was just the two of us, together, enjoying the perfect moment, fearlessly giving one another our all.
The essences of who we were collided, the fire of our souls overtaking us as we became one flame. A tear slipped from my eye, and when we finally managed to break away from each other, he gasped into my mouth.
As I noticed the other people around us dancing and a few glares, they captured my attention because, for just an instant, they’d totally left my awareness. Hell, we could have been back at my condo in bed together and I wouldn’t have known otherwise.
A familiar face stood out as I looked off the dance floor—at our table, Mom sat watching us with a soft expression, her face trembling and what looked like tears pouring from her eyes. The dread I experienced before we’d reached the dance floor returned, tugged at my heart as I feared the worst. However, she put her fingers to her mouth before waving them out and blowing a kiss.
And just like with Eric and Jesse, I felt, deep down, her approval. Not just of me and Liam, but of who I was.
And the little tear that had stirred during our kiss turned into a fucking waterfall.
“Shit,” I said, turning back to Liam.
“You okay?”
I had to be dreaming. Surely I’d died, gone to heaven, and met an angel I would spend all eternity with.
Or was that just my new hope? Another wish I desperately wanted to come true?
It was as though all the universe understood that there was magic between Liam and me, as though what I felt emanated from my being and left what we shared uncontested.
As it should have been.
“I’m fine,” I told him, sniffling because my emotions had gotten the best of me.
“Come on. Let’s get back to your family.” He put his arm around me, guiding me off the dance floor. He escorted me back to our table, and as soon as we got there, Jesse said, “Well, Ty, I didn’t realize how much we had in common. Guess we both have a flair for ballroom dancing.” He winked, and we all burst into laughter, even Mom, who I was sure had to feel the most out of place of everyone.
Oh, what a conversation we had in store for us, but as I checked and saw Liam still by my side, I was ready for it.
* * *
