“It would be,” he says, nearly wistful. “The last piece is planting roots in a place where people get me. Allentown and Martin’s Place have really started to feel like home but...”
Julien scoots in closer, undeterred by Greg’s hesitancy. “I think the boss would be thrilled by your change of heart, and if he isn’t, I’ll remind him that I might own this place one day, so I should get a say in who works here.”
This idea doesn’t scare him as much as it used to because, as Carlos reminded him, being a sommelier is like making wine, it’s a process—from picking to fermenting to bottling. You can’t rush the steps just to get it to market. The best wines, like the best careers and relationships, take time.
“But Rufus has already listed my room for rent. He’s got people interested.”
Julien reaches deep within and chooses to make a leap of faith. “I think I know a guy who can offer a reasonable rent payment and wouldn’t mind sharing his bed with you.” OCD be damned. For Greg Harlow, he will, for the first time, learn to cohabitate. He knows it will be chaos—that boxes will be everywhere for a while. That, over several weeks, he and Greg will need to sift through every item Greg owns and see which can stay and which can be donated. There’s no reason to have two colanders or two plungers. But Julien’s got his medication and a great therapist. A little disorganization for a little while will not plummet his life into anarchy.
Greg’s smile crests across his face like an unclouded sunrise. “I would love to live with you, Julien.”
For the first time, Julien hears his name like a classical song. Like Greg’s voice is an entire string section, and he’s instantaneously composed the world’s most beautiful music out of three simple syllables. “Does that mean you’ll stay?”
“I’ll stay,” Greg whispers. “I’ll always stay.”
Julien kisses Greg in the fading sunlight right as a wind whips through and pink petals fall off the tree and float around them in lovely, heart-stopping swirls.
When the kiss disconnects, Julien stands, holds out his hand to Greg, and says, “Let’s go tell everyone your going-away party is now a welcome home party.”
Greg rises, grabs Julien around the waist, and lifts him clear off the ground, prompting another kiss that catapults them into a new chapter of their relationship.
Epilogue
GREG
One week later, Greg, Rufus, and Jessica pull into the parking lot outside of Julien’s apartment complex that will now also be Greg’s apartment complex. Turns out, the timing couldn’t have been better.
Jessica’s semester was coming to an end at the same time as her lease. She and Rufus had been discussing the idea of moving in together, so they were all too thrilled when Greg told them he was staying but that he was moving in with Julien. Without the need for a third roommate, they were discussing how they should turn the second bedroom into an office slash home gym on the ride over.
“Mom and Dad,” Greg joked from the middle of the weathered bench seat in the moving van, “you haven’t even dropped me off yet.”
Now, here they are.
Julien stands on the sidewalk, waving, in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt with a rolling dolly and a stack of old comforters so none of Greg’s stuff gets scuffed in transit from the truck to the apartment on the third floor.
“This isniiiiice,” Jessica says upon entering the apartment for the first time.
Julien beams. “Thanks.”
Greg agrees. This place is nice. Julien works hard to make it so. Greg can’t wait to add to that niceness. He doesn’t care if that means a chore chart or throwing out old bedside lamps that don’t match the aesthetic. He has never been a stickler for those sorts of things. He’s just immeasurably happy to be here in a place that makes him feel safe, wanted, and needed.
“Definitely an upgrade,” Jessica says, patting Greg on the shoulder as he hauls in a black chest.
“Hey,” Rufus said, setting down a box of Greg’s clothes in the living room. “Don’t knock Nan’s place.”
“Never, babe,” Jessica says, placating, distracting Rufus with a kiss before going for a cup of coffee in the kitchen.
It takes about two hours, but finally, the last piece is unloaded from the truck while Jessica is out. She returns sometime later with taco salads for all of them. They sit in Julien’s kitchen eating and chatting.
“How did they take it at Bar Deco when you told them you weren’t taking the job after all?” Jessica asks.
“Let’s just say the response was giving ‘you’ll never work in this town again.’” Greg puts on the transatlantic accent of a 1940s film star. Julien laughs at him, which mitigates any guilt Greg may feel about the late notice. “Whatever. I don’t foresee that being a problem.” He reaches out for Julien’s hand. The light gesture is his way of letting Julien know that he’s here for both a good time and a long time. No shiny job or doubts are going to lure him away.
Jessica finishes chewing on a chip with guac. “At least you won’t have to worry about a new work nemesis.”
Rufus nudges his girlfriend, giving her a wide-eyed look.
“What?” Her eyes land on Julien. “Ah. Oops.”
