And yes, Dex was probably romanticizing his family,remembering the best parts and turning his parents into more perfect people than they’d been, but that seemed natural when he loved and missed them as much as he did. The fact remained—they had been good to him.
As they reached the end of the path, a smaller park marking its conclusion, Dex told Luc how his parents had encouraged his artistic side, and how they’d turned creativity into a family endeavor. He admitted, “I was devastated when they died. I’m only starting to move on now, to be honest.”
Knowing his parents weren’t gone forever lit the path to his future when it had been dark and murky for so long, but finding out he’d see them in the afterlife one day didn’t erase his grief. It didn’t make not having them around any easier.
Luc was quiet for a long moment. He seemed to be mulling over everything Dex had said, but it wasn’t awkward. No one had ever put so much effort into listening to him.
“Your love for your parents is refreshing. Even if it hurts, it’s a beautiful thing. I’m sorry you lost them.”
Dex couldn’t believe he’d shared so much. Even with Ollie, he’d avoided talking about most of this for years. “Thanks. Refreshing is a good word. For this, I mean.” He gestured between the two of them.
The heavy emotions he’d been carrying around all day—all year—seemed to filter through a positive lens, highlighting what he’d loved rather than lost. It was a shift in perspective he wouldn’t have had on his own, and he was grateful.
This was how today of all days should end.
Luc took Dex’s hand. “I’m glad you think so.”
The touch was warm, the heat welcome even on a summer evening. As if he couldn’t stop now that he’d started, Dex added, “I regret holding back so much after they died.”
Luc squeezed Dex’s fingers. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve gotten paranoid.” Dex swallowed. Fuck, this was notthe kind of thing you shared on a first date, but Luc didn’t seem to judge, and that was so fucking rare. “I worry about things happening to my friends all the time, and that gets in the way of doing things. Today, I saw my best friend and he had some news. I immediately panicked, positive he was dying.”
“Was it bad news?”
“No. Not even close.” Dex rolled his eyes and glanced away. No way he could tell Luc what the news actually was, but that was all right.
Luc brought his fingers to Dex’s chin, delicately nudging him until they were face to face. “How does worrying get in the way of doing things?”
Dex fidgeted under his gaze. “I don’t date much.”
Luc’s furrowed brow softened. “I’m glad you put your fears aside to give me a chance.”
Dex’s cheeks flamed. “Same. I’d have regretted it otherwise.”
“Me too.” Luc’s fingers tightened on Dex’s chin, his voice painfully earnest. “I have more regrets than I can count, but you won’t be one of them. I promise.”
Fluttery warmth bloomed in Dex’s chest. “Yeah. No regrets.”
Luc hadn’t promised that nothing bad would happen—he couldn’t, no one could—and that still scared Dex. Having to grieve someone, especially a boyfriend, would be crushing. Knowing an afterlife waited wasn’t the same as having someone in your life. It would still be a loss. But living a life ruled by fear was a loss too. And Dex wasn’t letting that happen.
Not anymore.
7
LUCIFER
“Want to skip dinner?” Dex asked in a low voice, sending shivers from Luc’s head to his toes.
Luc bit back a groan.I’ll make a meal of you.
Dex’s expression went from heated to eager, almost as if he’d read Luc’s mind. “We can go back to my place and order in later.”
Yes. Luc pulled Dex close, their bodies pressing together. “I love the sound of that, but I’d like to take this slow. There are things you need to know about me before we go to bed.”
Dex cocked his head. “Like what?”
“Like who I am. It’s a long, complicated story.”
