Hestill wished he hadn’t been mean to Declan this morning. It was only a brieflapse, and only because he was hurting, but still. He only ever wanted to bekind to Declan.
Whilehe was still bending down to re-stack his books in two smaller piles this time,the door opened behind him.
Ashstood, turning to face…
Declan,who was back.
“Oh,hey,” Ash said, swallowing past the lump in his throat. He’d stopped himselffrom crying before, but now that Declan was right in front of him again, it wasa struggle.
“CanI talk to you for a second?”
Ash’sstomach bottomed out. Was this going to be about arrangements after thedivorce? Orbefore?What if Declan didn’t want him here anymore?
Partof Ash knew that was just panic talking, that he wasn’t losing Declan as afriend, that Declan had no way of knowing how much this meant to him.
Thatpart wasn’t quite enough to stop the rest from trembling in fear.
“Sure,”Ash said, trying to stop his voice from shaking.
Ashwatched Declan set the groceries on the counter, and then take something out ofhis pocket. A bright pink… ball?
Thiswasn’t what he’d been expecting.
“Iscrewed this up the first time because I didn’t know how important it was goingto be,” he said.
Andthen he dropped to one knee.
Ash’seyes widened as Declan beckoned him over, his feet carrying him before he’d madea conscious decision to move.
Declanopened up the ball to reveal a novelty ring, the kind that came out of vendingmachines.
“Listen,forget everything that happened this morning. I know I ordered the papers, andI know I didn’t actually come out and saydon’t sign them, but… don’tsign them.”
“Icouldn’t bring myself to,” Ash said softly. “I tried, but…”
“Good,”Declan said. “Because I don’t want a divorce. I want you to be married to me,and I never got you an engagement ring, so… this is the best I could do in anemergency.”
Ashswallowed, reaching out to pluck the tiny plastic ring with the heart-shapedjewel on it. He’d never been much of a jewelry person, but he’d keep thisforever and show it to everyone.
Itmeant he wasn’t losing Declan, so it was the most important, beautiful object inthe world.
“Ilove you,” Declan said. “And I know that in a regular relationship it wouldn’tbe time to get married, but… we’ve never had a regular relationship, and if Iimagined the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with… it’d be you.”
“Ilove you, too,” Ash said. “Always have,” he added quietly.
“That’swhat you told Charlie, isn’t it?” Declan asked. “He wouldn’t break yourconfidence, which is good I guess, but…”
“Moreor less.” Ash nodded. “He’s a good friend.”
“Imight not have figured this out without him, so… yeah. I said I owed him freecoffee for life, but he wouldn’t even take that.”
“It’sour turn to host dinner,” Ash said. “We should get on that.”
“Rightafter breakfast,” Declan agreed.
Ashshook his head, reaching out to take Declan’s hand. “Right after bed.” Hegrinned.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
