Not that he could say that aloud, before. But now?
He had to get this right.
“I like you, Farzan. I’ve liked you since the moment I met you and thought you were a restaurant critic.”
Farzan gave a wobbly sort of smile; yeah, their meeting had been alittle unconventional, but it was funny and would make a good story some day.
Italreadymade a good story. And David didn’t want it to end just yet.
“And I called you my boyfriend because I wanted to. Because it felt true.” He stepped closer, bracketing Farzan’s legs with his. Farzan gave a little shiver, blinking hard.
“Really?”
“Really.” David leaned in. “You’re smart and you’re sexy and you’re kind, and whenever we’re together, I’m happy. It’s been so long, I think I’d forgotten what it felt like. Until I met you.”
Farzan’s eyes softened. David wanted to drown in them.
But then Farzan bit his lower lip, and David’s gaze was drawn there, and he wished it was his lips against Farzan’s mouth, his teeth nibbling on the soft skin there.
But Farzan still hadn’t spoken.
“Are you…” David swallowed. “What are you thinking?”
Farzan blinked, sending raindrops cascading down his cheeks like tears. Or were they actual tears?
Had David messed this up, ruined things beyond repair? Was this too little, too late?
But slowly, Farzan’s lips curled up, a smile dawning on his perfect face.
“I’m happy too,” he said, and David’s chest soared. Literally soared. He thought it was just an expression, but that’s what it felt like: his heart suddenly shooting skyward, through the clouds, out into space, until it shone like a star.
David brushed his wet nose against Farzan’s, oh so gently, and Farzan tilted his head so their lips met. Despite the cold rain, the contact warmed David all over. The sweet movements of Farzan’s lips drew him in. He kissed, and kissed, until he was interrupted by the revenge of dinner.
He broke off the kiss, clamped his lips shut and turned away, covering his mouth with the back of his hand, but the burp reverberated through his chest.
Farzan snorted. “Glad it’s not me this time.”
“I shouldn’t have had dessert.” David pressed his forehead back against Farzan’s. He needed the contact to ground him. Otherwise he might float away. “But that sorbet was so good.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. Everything was amazing. Not that I’m surprised.” He stood up straighter so he could rest his hands on Farzan’s ass. “So. What do you say? Boyfriends? For real?”
Farzan’s smile dimmed. He pulled away, hugged himself tight.
“But you’re leaving.”
“I know,” David said softly. “But that’s months away. And I still have to pass my test, anyway.”
“You’re going to pass,” Farzan said. “You’ve studied way too hard.”
“Thanks.” David moved in close again, rested his hands on Farzan’s hips. Nothing had ever felt so right. But Farzan wasn’t wrong.
He didn’t have any answers about the future. All he knew was he wanted Farzan.
David brushed a strand of wet hair off Farzan’s forehead. Farzan shivered, at the touch or the cold, David couldn’t be sure.
He hoped it was the former.
