I’m trying not to laugh.
“That’s true, buddy, we did,” Cole admits sheepishly. “After Caspian called me in a sandwich panic.”
“I wouldn’t say panic,” Caspian interjects.
“A crisis,” Cole corrects, earning an indignant huff from Caspian.
He pulls me close, his hand resting at the small of my back.
“This is Antonio,” he says. He sounds so proud. “My boyfriend.”
“Antonio, this is Noah. He’s going to be seventy-five soon,” he continues solemnly.
“Not seventy-five!” Noah giggles. “Five!”
He shows me five fingers as proof. Then his cute little face scrunches with concern.
“Where does it hurt the most?” he whispers.
“What?”
“Uncle Caspian told Daddy you’re so beautiful it hurts,” Noah explains, stepping closer to examine me. “Is it like a tummy ache?”
“It doesn’t hurt like that,” I mumble, flustered.
Noah nods, satisfied.
Then his face lights up.
“I get to carry the rings!”
Silence. Caspian turns crimson.
Cole winces.
“Okay, Noah, it’s past bedtime,” he says quickly. “We should go.”
“No!” Noah protests. “Uncle Caspian promised! He said I can carry the rings when he marries Tonio!”
Cole herds him toward the door, mouthing sorry, and then they’re gone.
It’s just us.
The sandwiches, the silence, and my wedding planner boyfriend.
He stares at his feet, looking shy, nervous, and completely exposed.
I love him. I love him so incredibly much.
“Caspian,” I say softly.
He makes a strangled sound—half-groan, half-proposal, maybe.
I take the sandwiches from his hands and set them on the counter.
Then I kiss him as gently as I can.
“Ti amo,” I whisper.
