“I asked you the question first.”
I remembered and picked up the carefully rolled ribbon. A thin gold band dangled from the end, its gleam picking up the Christmas lights from the ceiling.
“We always were on the same wavelength, right from the beginning.” I handed it to Torre and wiggled my finger, suddenly, incredibly eager. “Ring me,bello.” Was I being corny and silly and all the things I teased Presley about when he and Nate became engaged? Hell, yeah.
And I was fucking happy. Something I never thought I’d ever be, and it was all thanks to this man sitting across from me who never gave up on me and didn’t listen to the word no.
With eyes as bright as the Christmas lights surrounding us, Torre laughed and slid the band on. “Merry Christmas, Frisco. I love you. Now. Forever. Always. Who would’ve thought after that first night, this is where we’d end up?”
I kissed his finger.
“Bello, we’re only at the beginning. And I don’t see an end in sight.”
Chapter Six
Act Two
“I’m so proud of you, Frisco.” Torre stood beside me as I ran a critical eye over the restaurant before we let the guests inside. “Hosting a benefit for LGBTQ and homeless youth is one of the most special things you can do.”
I knew what the lack of a stable family had done to me, so I couldn’t even imagine a child questioning their identity or having to live alone and hungry on the streets.
“I might’ve grown up privileged and never having to worry about money, but I’ve seen enough ugly in my life. If I didn’t have Presley’s parents to lean on, who knows where I might’ve ended up. Too many kids just disappear.” I shook my head. After meeting several of the teens who’d be coming tonight, helping the kids with scholarships to cooking school didn’t seem like enough. They needed shelter, clothes, and jobs. Mike and I had already talked about setting up a program to hire those interested in the food industry, and I was going to make sure to talk to my friends in the restaurant business, as well as Edward, who would be here tonight, to get these young people jobs.
Torre slipped his hand in mine. “Well, now you’ll never have to worry. Whether you like it or not, my family is yours.”
“As long as you come with it,bello, I can handle them. Even your brother.”
The truth was, I loved his family. His mother, Maureen, worked with us, and though Mike and I might butt heads occasionally, I respected him and he’d learned I wasn’t merely a pretty face, as he liked to tease me, with big pockets. Plus, I adored his wife, Val, and their little daughter, Tina. They meant everything to me, and I’d do anything for them.
Streaming through the front doors were not only the mayor and his staff, but the head honchos from the City’s Department of Homeless Services, ACS, and The New York City Unity Project, a multi-agency group dedicated to helping LGBTQ people. Movie and television actors, along with well-known Broadway stars appeared out of the flash and buzz of the paparazzi. I greeted them, as well as the people who spent thousands of dollars to come here and support the cause. Queer and homeless community activists who’d helped us set up the benefit entered with some of the young people whose lives we were spotlighting. With Torre at my side, I approached them, as they looked a bit overwhelmed by all the commotion.
“Jonathan, I’m glad to see you. This is my partner, Torre Rossi.” I shook hands with Jonathan Hernandez, the director of Brighter Horizons, one of the youth outreach groups Torre and I worked with. “Who do we have here?”
“This is David Price and Jessica Arroyo. Nice to meet you, Torre.”
Both teens gave us nervous smiles and seeing that Jessica was very pregnant, I pointed her to the nearest table. “Why don’t you have a seat? I’ll have them bring you over some water and snacks.”
“Thank you,” she said softly, and with David hovering over her protectively, the two slid into their seats.
“What’s their story? Are they together? Is it his baby?” I rapid-fired questions at Jonathan.
“No. David is a friend of hers. He’s recently been hired by the city and is living with two other roommates he met at our center. Jessica was homeless when she was assaulted. We took her in and after she discovered she was pregnant, got her a transitional apartment we keep for these types of situations. She chose to keep the babies and is planning on giving them up for adoption.”
“Brave young woman.”
“She is. Great event, here. We really appreciate all you and others have done for Bright Horizons. One of our other benefactors, Zach Cohen, is here tonight. He’s a tech guy. I have to make sure I meet him to thank him.”
“I’ll make sure to connect you two once he gets here. I can check on the tables to see where he’s sitting.” I waved over one of the servers.
“Yes, sir?”
“Those two sitting at the VIP table? Make sure they have water, and bring them some food right now. Make a big plate of whatever we have.”
“Right away.” He hurried off and Torre squeezed my elbow.
“You’re amazing. Every time I think I couldn’t love you more, you go one step further.”
I gave his ass a discreet pat. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.” I turned to Jonathan. “I’m happy to give her a job either here or at our place in Brooklyn after she has the baby.”
