We eat dessert, say our goodbyes and go our separate ways. Until tomorrow, at least, when they’ll come to my graduation.
I put my arm around Flynn’s waist while we walk to my car. “See? I told you it would be okay.”
“It went better than I thought.” He leans his head on my shoulder. “I have to be up early, but can I stay at yours tonight?”
“Of course you can. You never have to ask. In fact, when I move into the flat, I’m going to give you a drawer.”
“A drawer?”
“Don’t sound so surprised. You shouldn’t have to think about bringing an overnight bag with you.”
We stop, face each other, our hands resting on each other’s hips.
“I suppose that means you want a drawer in my room at the farm?”
I tilt my head and hum. “Fair’s fair.”
Flynn laughs, leans close, and kisses me. “Of course you can have a drawer.”
I tug him close and rest my forehead against his. “Do you still love me, even though I have an evil twin?”
“Yes. I still love you. Billy is never going to get between us. I won’t let him.”
“Nor will I. Not again. It’s me and you against the world, baby.”
“Not against the world.”
“No?”
“No. We’ve got your parents in our corner.”
I hum. “True. And Angus. I’m pretty sure his dad would stick up for you, too.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
I pull him closer still. “I’ve been in love with you for a long time, Flynn.” It's good to admit it out loud.
“And there I was thinking you hated me.”
“Never. I might have acted like I did for a while, but that’s on me, not you. I love you. You’re my future.”
“And you’re mine.”
We embrace underneath the branches of an old tree in the corner of the carpark, and kiss for a long time, neither in a hurry to part. As I hold him, I realise that I can’t imagine loving anyone more.
EPILOGUE
FLYNN
We survive building flat-packed furniture together. It was a lot of fun. We laughed, we swore, we hit our fingers with hammers by accident, and then we ordered pizza to celebrate our accomplishment.
Jimmy’s parents asked Billy to move out. Is it because of the way he treated me, or some other reason? I haven’t asked and never will. I don’t care what Billy does, as long as he stays the hell away from us.
Over the next two months, we spend more and more time together, until I’m sleeping at Jimmy’s flat more than at the farmhouse. Getting between them isn’t too bad, as the roads are clear that early in the morning. I might not enjoy it quite so much when the mornings are dark and the weather is bad, but it will still be worth it to fall asleep in Jimmy’s arms.
We’re meeting Angus and his partner, Richard, for dinner. We’ve chosen to meet at a bar with a variety of games to play, from pool to darts, and shuffleboard toaxe-throwing. When we arrive, Angus and Richard are already there. They look so happy together. Richard looks to be around thirty, with neat dark hair and a bright twinkle in his dark eyes whenever he smiles at Angus, which is often. We order food from the bar and settle around a rough wooden table with beers.
“We have news,” Angus says.
