Isaac
I wokeup surrounded by Max. Literally. He had one arm under my head serving as a very uncomfortable pillow with the other arm around me, keeping my back against his broad chest. One of his legs was wrapped around my leg and the other was stretched out with his foot under mine.
He couldn’t have been comfortable, but since he was fast asleep, there wasn’t much I could do without waking him up, and there was no way I was ready for that yet.
I was still coming to terms with everything that had happened in the last four weeks since I’d seen Max go through the airport departure gates.
Alex had been the one to suggest calling Dorian for advice.
Before I’d even had a chance to ask Dorian for advice, he jumped in to say he needed my help running Liberty Center while he and Jean-Paul went to Paris. He’d sounded so relieved as if I was doing him the biggest favor in the world. It was only when he’d caught his breath that he’d asked why I was coming to New York.
I’d been honest and saidI was in love with Max and wanted to be with him, hoping to get the sympathy vote.
“I fucking knew it. Jean-Paul owes me a whole month of naked weekends.”
“What? How did you know?”
“Firstof all,there was the day after the fire. I got that he wanted to make sure you were okay, but even Max isn’t nice enough to follow up with a tour of New York for just anyone. He also told me you’d bumped into each other in Lisbon in the summer and it didn’t go well, although he didn’t give me any details. Then he comes back this time, and he’s refusing to talk to us. I knew something had happened while he was with you. I justhoped it was a good thing.”
“It was a good thing, Dorian. Really good.”
“I’m thrilled for you guys. Jean-Paul is going to flip, and he’s going to want to make this into a thing.”
Jean-Paul had advised against telling Max I was coming until I was absolutelysure that my work visa would come through. Then he’d found out from Joel that Max was coming to his grandmother’s house this weekend and planned the rest.
Max stirred slightly behind me. His breath was warm against the back of my neck. He inhaled deeply, so I thought he was waking up, but all he did was tighten his grip on my chest and call my name softly.
I really could’ve got used to this for the rest of my life. It felt so right to be here in Max’s arms. He’d come through on his promise to be here for a long time. Here meaning in bed, and a long time meaning the whole weekend.
We’d gone out to join the others for meals, but as soon as everyone settled in watching TV or relaxing, he’d pull me back to the room so we could have time alone.
Last night, Dorian and Jean-Paul had told everyone why they were going to Paris for such a long time. They’d been trying to adopt for a while and were on waiting lists both in New York and in Paris, where Jean-Paul was originally from, hoping it would increase the chances of having their own family soon.
The agency had found them a baby daughter named Stephanie, so they were going to meet her, and once the adoption went through, they were going to stay in Paris for a few weeks so Jean-Paul’s mom had a chance to spend time with Stephanie.
Lying here in Max’s arms, I couldn’t help wondering if we’d be as lucky one day to start our own family.
As soon as I’d had the thought, I realized I didn’t even know if Max wanted children. It dawned on me thatI didn’t know much about Max. I wanted children, and I wanted to get married one day. What if Max didn’t want that? What if we didn’t agree on the important things?
My bladder demanded attention, and I also needed some fresh air. I was overthinking things as usual, but my thoughts left me unsettled. Disentangling myself from Max wasn’t easy, but I managed to not wake him. I looked at him as I was putting on my jogging pants and saw him cuddling my pillow. We’d been upuntil verylate last night talking, so I wasn’t surprised he was still in a deep sleep.
Jean-Paul was in the kitchen making coffee as I walked in.
“Good morning, Isaac. Did you sleep well?”
I looked at the two mugs of coffee in his hand. He still had his pajama bottoms on, so I was prettysure he and Dorian had been up as late as we were.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Everything okay?” Jean-Paul spoke excellent English, but I loved when his French accent came through.
“Yeah, just couldn’t sleep anymore, that’s all.”
He nodded and turned to leave.
“Jean-Paul,” I called.
“Yes?”
