None of those were things he planned on saying at the dinnertable. Max was still getting used to being shown affection in public, andConnor was happy to ease him into it.
And to whisper those things into his ear in bed, listening to Maxgasp and sigh and moan in response.
“If we get married for real,” Max said between bites of his food,“you can be my best man. Or like… best woman, I guess. Okay?”
“Okay,” Zoe agreed enthusiastically. “So when is this happening?”
Connor laughed, thrilled by Zoe’s easy acceptance of him.
He wanted to marry Max. He already knew that, and was alreadyplanning the perfect wedding for the two of them in his head.
But not now. Not until things settled down, until Max had a chanceto live his life on his own terms. He deserved the space to grow into himself,and Connor couldn’t wait to watch that.
And to be there for him every step of the way.
“Has Max told you guys he applied for college?” Connor asked,figuring it was about time he changed the subject.
Sarah’s eyes widened. “No,” she said, turning to look at Max.“When was this?”
“I might not get in,” Max said. “It’s been a while since I droppedout.”
“It was last week. I stood over him while he did it,” Connor said.
“Is this for teaching?” his mom asked.
Max nodded, a blush creeping down his neck.
“You always wanted to be a teacher,” his mom said, joy in hervoice.
Connor got the impression that this whole family hadn’t reallyknown happiness in a long time. He felt honored to see them piecing their livesback together. To be part of it.
He loved Max, and he loved Max’s family, and the idea that one dayhe might get to be counted among it was exciting.
“You’ll get in,” Connor said. “Your application letter wasperfect. And you already got in once, so…”
“They’ll be thrilled to have you back,” his mom said. “I’m soproudof you,” she added, setting her fork down to hug Max tightly around theshoulders.
Max leaned into the hug, but looked up at Connor. Connor winked athim, which only made him blush more.
Max was adorable, and Connor planned on spending the rest of hislife enjoying that.
“I’m already mentally working on my outfit for your graduation,”Connor teased. “I believe in you.”
“Thank you,” Max said softly. “All of you. For… for being myfamily.”
Connor’s eyes widened.
“You’re definitely family,” Max’s mom said, apparently noticingConnor’s shock. “You’ve more than earned your place at this table. And I’mexpecting to see you at it more often, now that Max is moving out. I’ll let youhave my baby, but I still want to see him from time to time.”
“You’re still gonna see me all the time,” Max said. “We’re gonnalive a ten-minute walk away from each other.”
“And you’re all always welcome to come over,” Connor added, stillrecovering from the shock of being so easily folded into Max’s family.
He’d moved to Hope Springs with his tail between his legs, but ithad turned out to be the magical place the name implied. Everything he’d everwanted, he’d found here.
“Yeah, you just gotta find somewhere to sit among all the DIYprojects,” Max joked.
Connor was quietly planning to find somewhere with two bedrooms,so he and Max could have an office-slash-craft room, but that was in thefuture. Right now, he had Max, and Max was happy.
