Now I wanted it, but I had to call Press, and I knew he would give me shit.
None of that mattered. I had to have it.
I entered the bathroom, closed the door, and hit the speed dial for him. It took less than two rings for him to answer.
“What’s going on?”
“Not much. Torre’s niece is here, so we’ve, or should I say,I’vebeen entertaining her, since he disappeared on me for hours.”
“Poor baby. And you survived.”
“It wasn’t so bad. She’s a good girl. We had a nice time.”
“Hello? Is this Frisco? Or are you an alien who invaded my best friend’s body?” He snickered.
“Oh, shut up.” From downstairs I heard Torre and Tina laughing. I don’t think I’d ever heard laughter in my home when I was growing up. “We made pasta together and…she said she loved me.”
I heard a little sniffling sound and had to smile. I knew that would get to a softie like Press. Surprisingly, my lashes dampened as well.
“That’s incredible. They’re such a wonderful family. Everything you deserve. Torre is one of the best men I’ve ever met.”
“He’sthebest. That’s why I’m still afraid one day he’ll wake up and wonder why he’s with me.”
“You’re kidding me.”
“You’ve known me for over twenty years, Press. Do I kid?”
“N-no, but…”
“No buts. He’s so into this Christmas shit. All the celebrations and the corny music…it’s like he can’t get enough. I swear, if I let him, he’d make me watch that fucking burning log in the fireplace for hours.”
“Oh, my God.”
I heard Press cackling with laughter and couldn’t help smiling at the memories.
“Remember the time we sneaked eggnog up to your room and got drunk watching it?”
“Oh, God. My mother knew right away.” He wheezed with laughter. “I had my head in your lap, and you were singing ‘Holly Jolly Christmas’ over and over, wearing a tinsel crown.”
“I miss those days sometimes.”
I missed his parents. Growing up, I used them as my escape, and they’d been my only true family.
“Yeah. I do too. But they’d be so happy for us, finding people we love who love us back.”
“Is it crazy for me to still have doubts? Like, I wonder what the hell he’s doing with someone like me, who doesn’t have a fucking clue about relationships. I feel like I have nothing to give him in return for everything he gives me.”
“How about just being you? That’s the most special thing of all. Torre wants you. He loves you so much.”
“How do you know?”
“I might be a fool for love, but I’m not blind. Trust me on this one. He’s as crazy about you as you are for him. Maybe crazier, if that’s even possible, knowing that demented mind of yours.”
“Speaking of which…” I gnawed my lip. From the first, Torre had kept me off balance, unsure of my next step. And even though I now knew where I was going and who I wanted by my side, saying it made it real. Permanent.
Forever.
“What’s going on? This is more than a simple ‘hello, how are you’ call.”
