“Perfect spot,” I pulled a blanket around me, and Enzo and I settled into chairs. Enzo opened the whiskey and took a swallow.
“Told you,” Finn grinned in the twilight as they worked on the fire. Flames spread across the logs, warmth pushing back the mountain chill.
“So,” Dom leaned back in his chair once the fire was going strong. “You’re really doing this. Moving to Salt Lake.”
Finn shrugged, smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Seemed like the practical choice.”
He winked at me and the heat in my chest bloomed. Dom handed me the whiskey.
“Well, I’m going to be really sad to lose my adrenaline junky partner,” Enzo pulled his blanket tighter around his shoulders and pretended to pout. “But at least you’ll be closer than the middle of Carmen Sandiego knows where.”
“You two should have your space back after the weddin’ anyway,” Finn replied. “You don’t need me kickin’ around while you’re honeymooning.”
“I dunno,” Enzo teased. “It’s nice having another person around to remind Dom he’s not actually an old man yet and it’s okay to stay out past ten. Maybe we’ll get a cat to replace you though.”
He took a pull of whiskey and turned to Dom. “Dom, papi, can we get a cat?”
“Why do I need a cat when I already have you, baby?” Dom leaned over and kissed Enzo, prying the bottle from him in the process. He turned back to us. “What’s the timeline for making it official?”
“Plannin’ on going straight back to Salt Lake from here,” Finn glanced at me. “If you’ll have me that soon.”
“Sweetheart, we’ve been living together for the last five weeks,” I reached for his hand, threading my fingers through his. “There’s no point in taking a break now.”
“Eight months ago, you were convinced you’d never figure out what came next,” Dom handed him the bottle of whiskey. “And now you’re planning your entire future.”
“Eight months ago, a lot of things were different.” Finn’s voice was easy, but there was weight behind it. He accepted the bottle, but set it on the ground.
“I’m proud of you,” Dom nodded, his voice going tight. “Seriously. You did the work. You’re still doing the work. That’s not nothing.”
Finn’s throat worked, and he looked down at our hands for a moment before nodding. “Thanks. Couldn’t have done it without Alex next to me.”
“You could have,” I squeezed his hand, my eyes clouding over slightly. “But I’m really lucky I got to be part of it.”
“Aww…” Enzo wiggled in his chair. “You two are so in love!”
“No point in denyin’ it,” Finn hitched a smile, his eyes bright and warm. He leaned over and kissed me softly.
“My Icarus,” I whispered against his lips.
“My feather,” he smiled against mine.
“My teeth! You two are going to give me cavities!” Enzo interjected, breaking the spell and making us all laugh.
“Speakin’ of big changes,” Finn squeezed my hand. “Alex finalized the partnership structure for Catalyst. Employeeownership, the whole thing.”
Dom’s eyebrows rose. “How does it feel?”
“Terrifying,” I admitted. “But good. Really good, actually. And thank you for wanting to be part of it. And for supporting Lennon.”
“Of course,” Dom leaned over and swiped the bottle from the ground, holding it up. “To new adventures!”
“To the people who believe in us,” Finn added.
“To partners,” I agreed, my heart thumping in agreement.
“To love!” Enzo grinned.
The fire popped, sending sparks up into the darkness. Above us, the stars spread across the sky in that brilliant way they only did out here, far from city lights. I tipped my head back, taking in the vast endless scatter of light against black.
