“I could never, Lily.”
“Good.” I find the blue USB safe tucked into the pocket of my tote bag and pull it out, showing it to them. “Because I wrote an entire new story last night, and I love it. It’s the best thing I’ve ever written, and I want to turn it in.”
I wait for him to get mad, or for Locke to throw up his hands in exasperation. It would be a valid response after the trouble they went through.
None of that happens, though. Grant smiles wilder, and Locke breaks out into a laugh. My boyfriend’s arms come around me, resting his cheek on the crown of my head.
“I’m so happy for you. That’s amazing, and you should turn it in.”
“You’re not mad?”
“Mad?” He separates only far enough to look at me. “I’m an artist. You think I haven’t completely scrapped a project and redid it at the last minute?” Grant laughs again, his chest shaking against mine. “If anything, I’m so proud. This is like a rite of passage.”
My laughter mixes in with theirs and I lean my head onto his chest. “I could’ve save you guys some time, at least.”
Locke crosses his arms and shakes his head.
“Halfway to Boston, I told him to call you. He said no.”
“It was your idea to be dramatic.”
They knock elbows with one another, and my heart warms. Brothers, finally.
“Thank you, Grant. For everything.”
He leans down, his lips next to my ear so only I can hear. “Don’t ever thank me for loving you. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Every road that led me to him, from that undergrad class to my job to Locke barging in, to now, are a collection of the best things that have happened to me, too.
With Grant’s whispers still pressed against my ear, he jokes.
“Did you like my big, heroic act at least?”
“Of course. I loved it. And I love you.”
epilogue
GRANT
What’s more romantic:a long walk on the beach, summer sand warming up your feet with your partner next to you? Or sitting at your dining table, your girlfriend on the other side, the both of you struggling your way through homework because you decided to take summer classes?
When your girlfriend is as stunning as mine, purple bow pen between her plush lips and cute hazel eyes scrunched in concentration, it’s either. Because anywhere with Liliana is the best place to be.
It was a happy—well, occasionally happy—coincidence we both signed up for a singular class this summer, unknowing to one another. It gives us both an excuse to stay indoors and away from the heat, and we can use studying to hide away from the world together.
Between classes, her work shifts, and the McCarthy sibling lunches every week, it’s the only thing we do. Sit in the space of my apartment and enjoy each other’s company.
It’s the most content I’ve ever felt.
“Did you buy more tomatoes? I’m thinking of making some lomi salmon to go with our poké for dinner tonight.”
It’s been like this more often, too. Lily keeping track of my groceries. The amount of belongings in her drawer growing the longer she’s here.
Without saying it, we’ve taken specific spots everywhere. Her shoes get the left side of the rack, mine on the right. Lily’s favorite craft books and romance novels take up the coffee table, while my sketchbooks live on the left side of the dining table. She puts her snacks on the bottom shelf of the pantry, mine go on the top.
It’s rare for her to spend a night at her apartment. I’m able to fill up the hours when she’s not here with visits from my siblings or video games with Derek, but I’ve been imagining a life of waking up and falling asleep next to Liliana for as long as I can remember. It’s the first step in our ten-year plan I’ve created.
“Can I ask you something?”
