“I doubt it, but I don’t really know that for sure. This is between me and her, and I think you’re just caught up in what she’s going through.”
“You really don’t think it has anything to do with me at all? The fact I’m a dude?”
“I truly don’t. My sister is many things, but she’s not homophobic.”
He sighs. “Okay.”
I flip the slices and am super happy with how they look. Not bad for a griddle and stove I’ve never used before. They smell amazing, too.
“But you know what?”
“Hmm?” Keno answers.
“I’m looking forward to making our own traditions. For holidays and birthdays and anniversaries. Special occasions andeveryday moments. To fill our house with memories. You and me.”
Keno sighs. “You’re going to give me a cavity. Have you always been like this?”
I chuckle while I pull the first pieces of French toast from the griddle. And begin on the next. “Want to grab the bacon out and put a second load on?”
He nods, and I finally let him go. As soon as I have soggy bread on the griddle, I back out of the way for Keno. I watch him as he peels the bacon off and sets it on a paper towel. He uses a fork to unstick the next pieces and lay them out. I move again to make room for him opening the oven and then flip my French toast.
His arms wrap around me from behind, just like he had for the very first time thirty-six hours ago. I feel his lips against my shoulder. Pressing more firmly and then moving. It takes me a minute to realize he’s kissing me.
“I want all that too,” he whispers. “Whenever we talked about the future we wanted—living next door together and our families going on trips together—I remember thinking,it really can’t get better than that.I was wrong. This is already better, and we’ve barely begun.”
“There it is,” I say, grinning.
“What?”
“I knew you had sweet and sappy in you, too. It just took you a minute to find it.”
His hand slides up my stomach and pinches my nipple. I laugh, swatting his hand away.
A door in the hall opens and Keno takes a step back. I’m not sure if he’s shy, self-conscious about PDA, or maybe he’s just not confident showing this part of us yet. If it’s just a him thing and he doesn’t care for PDA, that’s fine. But if it’s any other reason, we’ll work through it.
Keno’s parents step into the room, his dad carrying the rolling suitcases instead of dragging them. “I didn’t expect anyone up,” his mother comments as Keno goes to help his father.
“Etna wanted to make sure you had something other than airport food this morning,” Keno says, flashing me a smile.
His mother looks at me with a grin. “Thank you, sweetheart. That’s awfully kind of you.”
“If I could guarantee you’d be able to heat it up, I’d send you with lunch, too,” I tell them.
Keno and his father set the luggage by the door as his mother sits at the island. His father joins his mother and Keno comes back into the kitchen. He pulls down plates and sets about making two and then sliding them across the counter to his parents.
My parents join us ten minutes later. They wanted to make sure they said goodbye to Keno’s parents. I might be loving that they exchanged numbers to keep in touch. They’re already happily talking about extended family trips.
Keno remains close to my side throughout the morning. He puts a little more distance between us when my sister comes downstairs, but I pull him back. I don’t care what her problem is or if she’s unhappy seeing us together. She needs to put her big girl panties on and get over it.
We see his parents off at eight-twenty, and my family stays until about two. Unsurprisingly and very disappointingly, Edna remains silent the entire morning. I barely get a wave when she and my parents leave.
I roll my eyes to cover the fact it stings. She’s a good person. I know she’s not just throwing a fit because she can. That’s not who she is. For some reason I can’t possibly think of, she’s hurt by my relationship with Keno and… I don’t know why.
What I know is that Iwon’tlet it affect my relationship with him. Iwillspend my life with this man. And Ednawillcome around.
Eventually.
I lock the door and join Keno in the living room to watch their car pull away through one of the big front windows. “I know this is easier said than done, but don’t let her bother you.” I press my lips to his temple.
