The lock clicked, and Drew walked in, smiling at him from the doorway. And like magic, Ash could breathe again. The grayness slid away, and color reentered his life.
“Baby.” Ash grabbed Drew to him and crushed their mouths together. They held each other close and rocked. Ash’s lips found the curve of Drew’s cheek. “I missed you so damn much.” He continued to kiss Drew down his neck as he cupped Drew’s ass. “Don’t go away again. Don’t leave me.”
“Mmm. Sorry I didn’t let you know we landed, but my phone died. Come with me next time?” Drew pulled off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. “I hated sleeping alone.”
“Me too. I couldn’t sleep at all without you. That damn cat kept staring at me like I’d done something horrible to you.”
Drew chuckled. “You and Domino should be friends already.” He walked into the bedroom, and Ash held his breath.
Several minutes passed, and then Drew walked back into the living room with an odd look on his face. “What is this?” He held out a small box and a red rose.
“Did you open it?” Ash swallowed, more nervous than the first time he’d walked into a courtroom.
“Should I?”
Ash nodded, never taking his eyes off Drew as he opened the box. Drew began to tremble.
“Where did you get this?”
“From Esther. I spoke to her after Mike and Rachel got married, and she gave it to me.”
With a shaking hand, Drew took the wide band of gold from the box. “I never knew she had it. I thought it was lost in the accident and only my mother’s ring was recovered.” He held it in the palm of his hand for a moment, then went to put it on his finger.
“Don’t.” Ash closed his hand over Drew’s.
“Why not?” Drew’s green eyes clouded with confusion.
It had never been in Ash’s makeup to be with only one man. Before he’d zipped up his pants, he’d been on to the next hot mouth. Until Drew so ensnared him with his purity of heart and sweetness of spirit, Ash couldn’t help but lose his own heart. And now he wanted to give his heart to Drew forever.
“Because I want to do it. In front of Esther and Rachel, with whomever you want there when we say our vows.”
Drew’s eyes shone. “Are you saying what I think?”
Ash held Drew close, letting the peace that only this man had ever been able to give him wash over him like the warm ocean tide. “Yes. Please. Be with me forever. Marry me.”
Drew tipped his head back and smiled into Ash’s eyes. “That was very poetic and beautiful.”
“I have so little to give you; the best I can do is tell you what’s in my heart.” Ash brushed back Drew’s dark hair. “So will you marry me?”
Drew kissed him. “Of course. When and where?”
Ash smiled as he led Drew back into the bedroom. “Leave it up to me and your grandmother.”
Drew sighed. “I was afraid you’d say that. Esther will be uncontrollable.”
Ash laughed as he unbuttoned Drew’s shirt.
* * * *
For the first time since he’d started the clinic, they closed during the week. Drew had gone in to do some paperwork, then locked up and hurried over to his grandmother’s house.
There was no flower-filled garden or crowds of friends. This time, only his family and Ash’s were at Esther’s, along with Rabbi Waxman. He opened the front door and was greeted by Jordan and Luke’s dog, Sasha. After petting her, Drew heard voices coming from the kitchen and headed to the back of the house.
“Drew, darling.” Esther, dressed in a pink suit with a flower corsage, hurried over to him. “I’m so glad you’re here finally.”
“Nana.” He kissed her cheek and hugged her. “You look beautiful.” He scanned the room, his gaze coming to rest first on Louisa in a pretty white suit and then on Tina, also in pink like his grandmother. She stood surrounded by her sons.
“Thank you, sweetheart. I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited for this.” She patted his cheek. “I think Asher is more nervous than Rachel was on her wedding day.”
