My heart sang at that. They really were feeling our bond as much as I was, weren’t they? “I missed you too.”
They sighed, somehow relaxing even more into my hold. “It’s silly. We were only apart for like four hours.”
I nodded. “Fair, but that doesn’t make it less true.”
They sighed and gave me a squeeze before pulling back. “We should head down.”
“Yeah.” I sighed. “We’re meeting Gar and Tan in their condo.”
“What? I thought we were here for a mission update and to find out what happened?”
“We are, but I think Garrick wants to clear the air between us before we head down to the meeting room.”
“Fine,” they said with a huff. “Let’s get this over with. But I’m warning you now, if he tries to throw you in a dungeon again, I’m gonna… well, I dunno what I’m gonna do, but I know I won’t let him take you from me like that.”
My heart flipped, and I couldn’t help the wide grin that spread across my face.
Oak stopped, turned to face me, and pointed at my lips. “Wipe that smug smirk off your face, Mister.”
I laughed, grabbed their hand, and kissed the tip of their pointed finger. “Can’t help it. You like me.”
They sighed and pulled their hand away as they began walking again. “I guess so.”
That made me laugh again, and I nudged their shoulder with mine. “You do. I can tell.”
They waved me off. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Stop it.”
With a chuckle, I followed them down the spiral staircase to Garrick’s front door. Oak took a breath before knocking.
The door swung open immediately, and Tan said, “Thank the Mother you two came. Garrick’s driving me nuts.”
Oak snorted, and Tan pulled them into a hug, then me, and I was happy to know he truly was okay with Oak and me being together. He’d been really supportive so far, but I wasn’t sure how it’d be in person.
Now we just had to get through… Garrick.
The biggest and grumpiest pain in the ass in the universe.
Why the hell was I best friends with that butthead again?
When I stepped inside, I stood next to Oakley, and I was a little surprised when they reached out and held my hand in theirs, but I didn’t pull away. I’d never pull away from them. Not even in front of Garrick.
Garrick stood up from the couch and stared at us for a long moment before he met Oakley’s eyes and said, “I’m so sorry, kid. I really… I, uh… I’ve missed you.”
Oakley swallowed thickly, and after a few seconds, quietly admitted, “I’ve missed you too. But, Dad, you can’t… you have to… you—”
“I know. I… I know.” He turned to me, meeting my eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have reacted that way. I… I’m happy for you. Truly.”
I could tell those words were difficult for him to say, but I took him at his word. “Thank you.”
Garrick walked over, and when he was close enough, I gave Oak’s hand a squeeze before dropping it and pulling Garrick into a hug.
He hugged me back tightly and whispered into my ear, “I’m truly happy for you, my dear, dear friend… but you know I’ll kill you if you hurt them.”
That made me snort. “That’s the very last thing I’d ever do.”
“I know. But… good.” He hugged me tighter. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too.”
