“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just want to know what’s happening.”
“Oh, I’m pretty sure Beckett’s trying to make Dom jealous,” Olly says.
“Well, that never ends well,” Jacob says.
“Yep,” I agree, nodding my head. “I’m really glad you guys could make it.” I feel like shit for keeping these two very important men in my life separate from my friends at Ink Me for as long as I did. Marcus and Jacob say they understand, but I don’t, and it leaves a sourness in my gut.
“I’m glad we’re here too,” Jacob says, giving my arm a squeeze. “You have an amazing group of friends here, and it’s nice to see you with all of them.”
“I never meant to hide you.”
“Oh, sweetheart, we know. It’s not like you dropped out of our lives. You were still over all the time, eating our food.” Jacob laughs and I hear Olly chuckle beside me.
“Look,” Marcus says. “I think you needed to realize that you had real friends first. You’re an adult; it’s common not to introduce your…parentsto every person you meet. So really, don’t be so hard onyourself.”
Olly wraps an arm around my waist, giving my hip a squeeze. I rest my head on his shoulder while giving Marcus a nod. “Okay.”
In the comfort of Olly’s arms, I feel more love around me than I’ve ever felt in my entire life. He stayed by my side and let me work through my shit. Yeah, he yelled at me when I was doing something foolish, but that’s our thing.
“Matthew would be extremely proud of the person you’ve become, just like we are,” Jacob says.
Olly kisses the top of my head. “Just like we all are.”
“Oh,” Jacob says, peeking around me. “Is that Lucas?”
“Yep, that’s him.”
“Can I ask you guys something?” Olly asks.
“Do you think you guys will look for another partner?”
Marcus and Jacob look at each other. You can see the love and the pain in their eyes. “We are not opposed to the idea, but finding someone as good as Matthew… I just don’t know if it’s possible,” Jacob says.
“Don’t give up. You never know when you’ll find someone,” I say, knowing their hearts will always be big enough for three.
“Yes, well enough about us and our sad story. What’s going on with you guys? How’s the bakery coming along?”
I turn and look at Olly. “Can we tell them?”
He nods. “Olly decided on a name.”
“Really, what is it?” Marcus says with genuine curiosity.
“It’s going to be called The Vanilla House.” My eyes sting, getting choked up as I speak the words.
Jacob brings his hand over his heart, looking up at Marcus, their eyes meeting. “I think it’s beautiful. Thank you for honoring him.”
Olly squeezes my hand. “The name will always mean something. He’s a man who should be celebrated… in the form of vanilla cupcakes.”
We all laugh, and I lean in and give Olly a kiss. “Thank you,” I say softly.
“Always.”
“Hey, guys.”
“Oh hey, Lucas, you remember Marcus and Jacob?”
Jacob reaches out and shakes Lucas’ hand, whose eyes ping-pong between the couple.
