“I love you,” Brogan said quietly.
“I love you more,” Archie replied, kissing the top of his head.
Brogan smiled, heart full to bursting. He didn’t know how he got this lucky, but he wasn’t going to question it. Not today. Not ever.
Chapter Ten
Archie
Archie stood in frontof the closet, towel still around his neck, staring at the rows of shirts as if they might offer some kind of divine guidance. “What are we wearing to this thing?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder at Brogan, who was buttoning up a crisp white shirt.
Brogan shrugged, but his brow was tight. “Something nice, but not too nice? I don’t want to look like we’re trying too hard.”
“Right,” Archie muttered. “God forbid we look like we care.”
They both laughed, but it was nervous laughter. The whole thing still felt weird—being uninvited from the Stars’ house because of Uncle David, then having dinner moved to the Duartes’ place. It was generous of Rafael’s family, but the tension still hung in the air like smoke.
Archie ended up in a navy sweater and dark jeans. Brogan wore the brown cable knit he’d gotten that morning, and they both looked good—comfortable but put-together. They loaded the car with an enormous basket of wrapped gifts, and a cheese spread Archie had arranged like a work of art, complete with rosemary sprigs and little labels.
When they pulled up to the Duartes’ house, Archie’s stomach did a little flip. Brogan reached over and squeezed his hand.
“We’ve got this,” he said.
Rafael’s mom opened the door with a warm smile. “Merry Christmas! Come in, come in!”
The house smelled of delightful Mexican spices, and the tree in the living room sparkled with gold and red ornaments. Archie and Brogan set the presents under the tree, the cheese spread on the buffet table, and barely had time to take off their coats before Andrew and Rafael appeared.
“Merry Christmas, you two!” Andrew said, pulling them both into a hug. “What’d you get this morning?”
Archie grinned and held up his hand. Brogan did the same.
Andrew’s eyes widened. “Wait! What?”
Brogan beamed. “We’re engaged. Getting married on Valentine’s Day.”
The room went still for a second, then erupted in cheers and clapping. Everyone except Uncle David and Rafael’s dad. They stood off to the side, arms crossed, saying nothing. Archie saw them exchange a look but didn’t let it ruin the moment. Not tonight.
Archie barely had time to take off his coat before Gabriella came barreling toward him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and didn’t care about decorum, and Archie laughed, hugging her back tightly. Brogan got pulled into the embrace too, and for a moment Archie felt the warmth of family settle around them like a blanket.
Then Aunt Laura and Rafael’s mother stepped forward, both smiling, both pulling him into hugs that lingered. Archie’s chest tightened. He hadn’t realized how much he had needed that kind of welcome until it happened.
“Remember, I’m here for anything you need, Archie,” Aunt Laura said, her voice steady and kind.
Brogan leaned in with a grin. “What about me?”
“And you too,” Aunt Laura said, laughing as she gave him another squeeze. Then her tone softened, and she looked Archie straight in the eye. “And Archie, your mother would have been so proud of you, and she would have more than approved of Brogan as I do.”
Archie’s throat went tight. He swallowed hard, blinking back the sting of tears in his eyes. His mother’s absence was always sharpest on holidays but hearing Aunt Laura say that made him feel like a piece of his mother was still here, still watching, and still loving him. He glanced at Brogan, who was smiling, and Archie’s heart swelled with gratitude.
“Thank you, Aunt Laura,” he caught his breath. “That means a lot to me especially today.” He meant it more than his words could carry.
Aunt Laura was right about his mother, and she would’ve loved Brogan. Archie was so damn lucky she’d have been proud of him. He knew this from Aunt Laura’s words, but in his heart he knew it, and Uncle David would never again make him question his mother’s love for him.
After the excitement settled, they started exchanging gifts. Archie and Brogan gave each family member a cozy red Christmas sweatshirt with a Santa on it. Andrew and Rafael gave them a framed photo of the four of them from bowling along with matching bowling shirts with their names on them.
Archie swallowed hard, looking at the picture of all four of them. “You guys…”
Brogan kissed Archie’s cheek. “We’re lucky to have them.”
