“Cay, would you move in with me? Wait. Before you reply, let me explain.” He straightened in his seat. “My apartment is as close to your work as yours, so that wouldn’t create a big problem for you in terms of commuting. You just renovated your place, so if you’d be willing torent it out, you’d have some extra income, and you could move back in whenever, so you wouldn’t feel trapped or anything. Besides—”
“Shh.” I put my finger across his lips. Maybe we were rushing into things, but this guy had flipped my life like a pancake, and I’d somehow landed the way I was supposed to. “I’ll move in with you.”
His grin overtook his face, and my eyes prickled at the sight of such genuine happiness.
“But—” I took my finger back. “I’m bringing my comic book collection with me.”
“I’ll get new shelves,” he said. “Tomorrow.”
Something shiny flashed by the bar’s entrance. “Is Tai wearing a sequined jacket?” I squinted at my friend as Wes, Alex, and Maisie followed him inside.
“I think so. Who’s the guy next to Maisie?” Beck asked and waved to the bartender, indicating the newcomers joining us.
“Her new boyfriend, I guess.” I shrugged, scrutinizing the tall guy with an artistically messy hairstyle. He wasn’t invited, but it was the case of the more the merrier.
“Dude has an underwear model look about him.”
“Hey.” I elbowed my man, trying not to grin like an idiot.
“You’re still way hotter, pfft.”
“Shh, they’re coming.”Don’t blush. Don’t blush.
“Hey, all!” Wes waved his slender hand before sliding into the booth, his white silk blouse giving him an angelic vibe.
Alex sat next to him and extended a hand to help Maisie settle in, not hiding the daggered glare she was throwing at the guy who’d come with them. Oh, I wanted in on the drama.
Maisie smoothed her flowery dress and patted the model guy’s arm. “This is Daniel.”
“Nice to meet you all. Sorry for crashing the party, but we had a date planned, and Maisie said this sounded important.” He offered a shy smile.
A chorus of “nice to meet you” and introductions later, everyone was seated and sipping their drink of choice.
“Are you guys okay?” Maisie asked, indicating me and Beck. “Your message was very cryptic, Cay, so it got me worried.”
“You’re not sick, are you? Oh my god, we can’t lose you!” Tai shot to his feet.
“Chill, man, let them explain.” Alex dragged him back down until he plopped with elegant grace. How the fuck did he do that?
This was supposed to be easy. These were our accepting friends. So why was this so hard?
I looked at Beck, and he nodded at me before he stood up.
“We asked you to come today,so…” Beck swallowed.
I pulled to my feet, took his hand, then lifted it to my lips. “To tell you that we’re together.”
The smiles on our friends’ faces brought tears to my eyes, and I had to sit down as my knees weakened. Beck joined me, never letting go of my hand.
“That’s amazing, you guys!” Tai sniffled and blinked rapidly. “Oh damn, this daiquiri is fantastic.” He latched back onto the straw, but his eyes remained on us.
“I’m so happy for you,” Maisie said, her sweet voice like a balm in a moment of truth.
“I fucking knew it!” Tai punched the air. “My matchmaking skills never fail! I just paired you the wrong way.” He tapped his chin, glanced between Alex and Maisie, then back to us.
“Actually, we met before that date,” I said, grinning at Beck. “Right?”
“Remember when my ex dumped me right before the Comic-Con and I went alone?” Beck asked Tai, who nodded. “I looked so miserable this guy swooped in to cheer me up.” Beck bumped me with his shoulder.
