Two Months Later
Ipopped thesecond bottle of champagne to cheers and poured it into the glasses lined up on the desk. Music played in the background, and I knew it had to be Frankie’s playlist when Britney finished and Lady Gaga came on.
“Congratulations.”
“The place looks amazing.”
We decided to hold the reopening of the bookstore on a Sunday morning, and Rhoades’s chef had graciously made us quiches and platters of smoked salmon and bagels and cream cheese. Our friends wandered around the store, which Harlan and I spent the last week redesigning with new tables and chairs for customers, as well as an expanded children’s section. Austin had given us some tips on creating a fun place for the kids and hooked us into some inexpensive decorations, while Frankie talked us up with some of the people he met asthehip downtown spot to chill and hang out before dinner and hitting the clubs.
I handed the glasses in my hand to Austin and Rhoades, while Frankie and Aaron sipped sparkling water. I couldn’t believe Tristan had shown up, but there he was—as usual, dressed in all black, with an almost cheerful expression.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile.” I handed him champagne, which he declined, holding up his sparkling water.
“I’ve been known to once or twice a year.”
If I didn’t know better, I’d swear the man was teasing me. Maybe this was all a dream. I spied Harlan chatting with Raymond and James, and he caught my eye and gave me a wink. If this were an alternate reality, I’d gladly stay right where I was. I’d never been as happy as I was right now.
Frankie peered around my shoulder. “Tristan? Holy hell. I almost didn’t recognize you in the light.”
“Did you think I’m a vampire who only comes out in the dark?” His eyes crinkled shut with amusement.
I hooted with laughter. “He’s got you, Frankie.”
Unashamed as always, Frankie shrugged. “Hey, if the cape fits…” He danced away back to Aaron, who stood chatting with Morgan, Juno, Hector, and José.
Everyone close to Harlan and me was here for the celebration of my taking ownership of the bookstore. As promised, James remained in the background, giving me his excellent business advice but leaving me to run the day-to-day operations. Race had his second surgery and planned to move to Florida, where his sister lived, to recuperate. As a surprise, he offered to rent Harlan and me his apartment above the store and we spent our evenings planning our life together.
“So what’s the new name?” Austin nudged me as we leaned against the desk. “You never told me.”
“I ain’t told anyone yet, not even Harlan.” I downed the champagne and wrinkled my nose. “I don’t get how you guys can drink this stuff. Give me a beer anytime.” I set the glass down.
The swell of voices grew around us, and Austin leaned into me. “Frankie gave up drinking for the most part with Aaron around. Do you still drink around Harlan?”
“I don’t keep it in the house, and like Frankie, I don’t drink in front of him. I’m just tastin’ this. Why tempt fate, you know?”
Austin gave me a brief hug. “I gotta hand it to you. You saw what you wanted and went after it. I never would’ve figured Harlan to be the right man for you. I never thought he was good enough.”
“You don’t think anybody’s good enough. I’m glad you gave him the chance to prove himself.”
“Austin was right.” Harlan slipped his arms around me and rested his chin on my shoulder. His light lemony aftershave teased my nose, and that rush of love and hope and desire flooded me. “I wasn’t good enough. I’m still not. You were the one who brought me back, not from the edge, but in free fall. I was dying. Slowly and painfully I was getting taken apart piece by piece from the inside out. You put me back together.”
I kissed his cheek. “It wasn’t all so one-sided. Yeah, I wanted to help Harlan when I first saw him ’cause that’s what a person should do for someone less fortunate. But the more we talked, I realized we were more alike than different.”
Rhoades, Frankie, and Aaron had gathered around me, but all I saw was Harlan.
“How so?” Austin asked, his brow furrowed.
“Neither of us ever felt wanted. The only relationship I ever had before this was with a man who never really cared about me. I waited over ten years for him, and in the end, I discovered he not only cheated on me the whole time we were together, but he never intended to be with me. He married and is now having a baby.”
Harlan hugged me tight. “It’s as if Cort and I lived the same life. I had almost the same exact experience, only Cort handled it better than I did. He didn’t become a bitter, disillusioned drunk, nor did he want to kill himself to make it all go away.”
It hurt that Harlan still struggled, although I knew Raymond had helped him tremendously. “We both lost our families, though. Neither of us was wanted unless we toed the line and pretended to be who we weren’t.” I’d given the guys an abbreviated version of what happened when I left home, leaving out some of the more personal details that were between Harlan and myself.
“True.” Harlan’s breath tickled my cheek. “I could never pretend with you.”
Frankie snickered. “Watch out, James. You might be the next one caught by the love bug.”
The absolutely disgusted look James directed toward Frankie set everyone laughing. “Please.” He checked his watch. “Cort, I think the time has come to go outside and reveal the new name for the bookstore, don’t you?”
