Ramin looked back at Noah, bewildered.
Noah could only laugh as Jake threw his arms around Ramin’s neck. Ramin hugged him back, tight.
Noah’s chest lightened. He looked at all his favorite people, standing in the Italian sun, smiling and laughing, even though they were saying goodbye.
No, not goodbye. Just see you later.
“I love you, buddy. More than anything,” Noah said when it was his turn to see Jake off.
“Love you too, Dad.” Jake hugged him tight.
Noah brushed the hair off his forehead and kissed it.
“I’ll see you soon, yeah? Try not to burst anymore appendixes.”
Jake cheesed and got into Nonno’s car.
Noah wrapped his arm around Ramin’s waist as they watched his family drive away.
He waited for the anxiety to hit. Or the guilt. He was letting his family go home without him. He was being selfish, staying in Italy for another ten days, just him and Ramin.
But it was okay.
They were all okay.
“So,” Ramin said, leaning his head against Noah’s shoulder. “What now?”
“Now I still have to finish packing,” Noah said. “And checking out.”
“I can help.”
“Thanks, baby.”
Noah would never turn down Ramin’s help.
“What about after?”
Ramin fiddled with one of his studs. Noah reached up and twisted the other, which got a shy smile out of Ramin.
“There’s lots of cities we could visit.” His smile turned devilish. “And lots of bathrooms I could blow you in, too.”
Noah giggled, though his penis twitched in his jeans.
Both things sounded… well. They sounded like heaven.
“Why wait for a bathroom?” Noah asked. “I don’t have to check out until noon.”
Ramin sighed. “I love you, you know.”
“I love you too.”
And then he dragged Ramin toward the elevator.
They had the room for another three hours, and Noah intended to make the most of them.
epilogue
Ramin
