“We’ll see,” Arthur said wearily. “We’ll see.”
***
In the morning, Arthur woke to find Jesse sitting up in bed reading, probably because they had managed to go to sleep early after being worn out from the fair. The closest curtain had been pulled back just enough to let in sufficient sunlight for him to see the pages of his book. Arthur reached over and wrapped an arm around Jesse’s midsection.
“Morning,” Arthur rasped, his voice still thick with sleep.
Jesse snapped his book shut and set it on the nightstand.
“Good morning,” he said as he slid back underneath the covers. He turned to face Arthur, and they shared a soft kiss. “I was worried I’d have to wake you myself. Your parents will be here soon, won’t they?”
Groaning wearily, Arthur sat up on his elbow and squinted toward the bedroom clock on the nightstand closest to Jesse, but he couldn’t make out the time.
“Probably,” he said, settling back on the mattress. “Not that I can tell for sure.”
Jesse smiled sweetly. “It’s nine.”
“Nine,” Arthur repeated. “It’s early.”
“It’s not.”
“I think I’ve worn myself out worrying about that letter. Itfeelsearly.”
“You’d have had to be up for church soon on any other Sunday.”
“Yes, but seeing my parents requires much more effort than sitting in a pew and letting my mind wander.” He threw Jesse a teasing smile. “Sometimes it wanders to the mostsinfulplaces.”
Jesse placed a hand on Arthur’s shoulder and shoved him. “Andthatis why I never go to church with you. You’ll burst into flames one day. And I’d rather not be there to witness it.”
“Oh, but my heart is already on fire for you,” Arthur said with a playful, lovesick sigh.
“I’m a little surprised you said ‘heart’ rather than loins.”
Arthur chuckled. “See? It’s much too early. I can’t believe I missed that opportunity.”
Both men flinched when someone knocked on the door.
“Mr. Hughes?” Patrick said from the hall. “Your parents are here.”
Arthur let out a soft whine and pouted, hoping for some sympathy, but Jesse only rolled his eyes and shoved him again. Arthur’s pathetic whining transformed into a light laugh as he flopped backward onto the mattress with a sigh.
“Thank you, Patrick!” he called out. “I’ll be there shortly.”
Arthur and Jesse stayed quiet while Patrick’s footsteps retreated. Arthur reached up to touch Jesse’s cheek with his fingertips.
“I’m sorry I have to leave you here,” he said.
“I’m not.”
Arthur bellowed a laugh and sat up, his amusement chasing away some of his dread. Jesse’s honesty was undoubtedly one of his favorite things, especially when it bordered on rudeness. It rarely failed to make Arthur feel better, no matter what it was he was busy being dramatic about.
As Arthur climbed out of bed, Jesse handed him his spectacles. Arthur set them atop his nose and started toward the closet to pick out something suitable to wear, though he briefly contemplated simply showing up for breakfast in a robe.
Once Arthur had finished changing into his outfit, he turned back toward Jesse, and his stomach tightened.
“Are you sure you won’t mind being trapped up here for a while?”
“I’m sure,” Jesse answered with a contented smile. “It’s not as though I could come eat breakfast with you, even if I wanted to. Not unless you’d want to risk losing your parents completely.”
