He turns his head before I reach him, his smile reaching his ears. The unfiltered response does things to my heart that I want to roll in, enjoying every second of it.
“Taxi for Grady.”
He slips while getting off his stool and barrels into me, forcing me to slide one foot back to take his weight without both of us hitting the ground. He wraps his arms around me enthusiastically, burying his face in my neck and giving it a lick, which isn’t helping matters.
“You’re stronger than you look,” Sebastian remarks, taking a sip of a drink he probably shouldn’t be having. Though he looks more sober than Grady, I imagine a good portion of the drinking glasses are his too. Besides, his lopsided eyeglasses give away his illusion of sobriety. Could almost get away with it, though.
“Piloting is hard work.” So many people don’t realise just how physical it is, and how much strength is required. “Daily physical training requirements help too.”
Sebastian nods, shrugging with his mouth. “Makes sense. Peyton is deceptively strong too.”
“Yeah, those spec-ops guys are something else.” Can’t imagine that Peyton let himself go after he retired. He was always the first there and the last to leave, like he had something to prove. I hope he’s found what he needs.
“You smell good,” Grady says, slurring slightly. He nuzzles my neck and inhales deeply. Goose bumps run from the spot all the way down my spine.
“You smell like a brewery,” I tease. Though truthfully, he always smells great. Even if hedoesalso smell like a brewery. It only adds to his flavour. Does it change his flavour? My mouthwaters at the thought of finding out. Definitely going to tick that one off the second we get home.
“Do you like that?” Grady asks huskily.
“Save it for the honeymoon,” Sebastian says with amusement. He salutes us with his glass and empties it.
“Aren’t you leaving yet?”
“My ride isn’t here. Guess I don’t tip my taxi driver as well as Grady.”
“You’re not actually getting a taxi, right?” I ask, to clarify. He has four boyfriends; surely one of them isn’t busy and can come get him?
Sebastian smirks. “No, Lake.”
That’s good.
“The bartenders have my keys,” Grady says. He leans more heavily against me, shifting more of his weight onto me.
“I’ll get them before we leave.” Considering I took an Uber here so that I could drive his car back, the keys will be pretty useful for getting home.
“Marry me,” he whispers into my ear.
“I am marrying you.”
His nose nudges my ear, and he kisses under my jaw. “No. Right now.”
“How are we supposed to do that?” I ask with a laugh.
“Seb can do it. He’s a lawyer.”
“Sebcan do it?” When did they get to nickname basis? This drunk Grady is kinda cute.
“I know that there are two of you right now,” Sebastian says, flicking his finger between Grady and who I assume is Grady number two. “But that’s not how that works.”
“Lawyers are not celebrants.” Or maybe they are? I don’t know. “Do you get that with your certification?” I ask curiously.
Sebastian shakes his head slowly and then blinks. “No.” He doesn’t sound sure, but I take him for his word anyway.
Grady’s hands fist in my shirt against my back. His next words are so quiet I almost don’t hear them. “Every second that we wait, you have time to change your mind.”
My heart cracks at the statement. Is that really what he thinks? That I’ll change my mind? How long has he been carrying this around?
There’s nothing,nothing, that will ever make me change my mind. He’s it for me. I’m going to spend the rest of my life loving him, and he’s just going to have to deal with that.
