“And me. Actually, I got something for him.”
Ramin ran to the closet and came back holding a large, loud box. When Noah saw it he giggled.
“You didn’t.”
Ramin handed over the Lego Spider-Man set. It was nearly a thousand pieces and had twenty-some minifigures. He’d grabbed it this morning, just in case… actually, not in case of anything. Just because he wanted to. Because he cared about Jake.
Noah set down the box and picked his wine back up. “Jake might ask you to adopt him.”
Ramin chuckled. “He can get in line. I still want Nonna to adopt me.”
Still, he wouldn’t mind being a trusted adult in Jake’s life. He liked that idea. Maybe even a stepfather, someday.
Maybe.
“And another thing.” Noah’s eyes seemed to dance.
“Yeah?”
“Jake wants to stay. With me. In America. He’s not moving here.”
Noah’s joy was something palpable, radiating outward, warm andsoft and holy. Ramin basked in it. He leaned in and planted a soft kiss on Noah’s wine-stained lips.
“I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. I’m… well. Still feeling a lot of things about it. Including some guilt.”
“Noah—”
“I know. It’s something I’m going to work on with my therapist. But at the end of the day, I’m happy. And relieved. And… excited?”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Noah bit his lip. “I, uh, hope all three of us can spend time together when we get back? Jake really does like you, you know. Even if you don’t give him way-too-nice Lego sets.”
“I like him, too,” Ramin said. “Otherwise I wouldn’t get him the way-too-nice Lego sets.”
“You are ridiculous.” Noah sighed. “I love you, you know.”
“I know.” Ramin sipped his own wine. “So what’s next?”
“Next?” Noah considered. “Well, we’re here another week, which works out because then Jake will be well enough to fly back home.”
Ramin’s heart clenched. He forgot Noah was going back so soon. He still had six more weeks booked.
He tried to keep his face neutral. Should he cancel the rest of his trip? Go back? Or beg Noah to stay?Couldhe?
“What?” Noah asked.
“Nothing.” It would be selfish to even ask.
So naturally, Ramin blurted out, “I wish you’d stay.”
As soon as he said it, he snapped his mouth shut. So much for post-nut clarity. This was more like post-nut verbal diarrhea.
“Sorry. That’s… I mean, you have Jake and all, and I don’t want you to feel pressured.”
But Noah gave him a shy smile.
