“And?”
He sat up and untangled our limbs in order to address me. “Michael, he’s the head of a well-known literary agency, and you are both his only son and a rising star. You can’t show up to a professional event like that with a prostitute.”
“First off, you’re not a—”
“Yes, I am.” His severity brooked no argument.
“Fine, but you’re also a model and an aspiring writer and the man I love. I want to share in these experiences with you, Arden. All of them. It wouldn’t be the same without you there.”
Arden stood and ambled toward the French doors, standing with his arms spread across the doorframe so that his back was to me, offering anyone who might be looking a stunning view.
“I’m not good at hiding who I am,” he said.
“I’m not asking you to.”
“It’d be better if we kept this between us. Your apartment, night clubs, parties with friends… Those are all safe spaces.”
“You’ll be safe,” I assured him.
“It’s not me I’m worried about.”
“What do you think’s going to happen?”
“You’re going to be profiled by media, and if they link us together, it won’t take much investigation to figure out what I do for a living.”
“You said you were discreet.”
“Those who know, know. I want you to be celebrated for your talent and nothing else. I don’t want to be a stain on your reputation.”
I went to him and circled my arms around his waist, then kissed his neck and shoulder. “How could you say that? You’re the best thing to ever happen to me. Iwantto introduce you to my family.”
His shoulders were stiff. He didn’t budge.
“Why can’t this be enough?” he asked.
I loved what we had, and if this was truly all he could give, I’d learn to accept it, but as with all things Arden, I was greedy. The things I wanted, I thought they were easy enough for him to give. As to his risk, I didn’t really consider it at all.
“I want more,” I said simply. I wanted all of him, all the time. I wanted to tell the world he was mine, even if it was only partly true. Claim him in front of my friends and family and celebrate him in all his glory.
“I’m proud of you. And I’m proud to be with you,” I said. He shook his head, and I turned him around gently. Eventually, his mouth softened, his lips parted, and he welcomed me inside.
“I’d like to invite you, Arden Evans, to accompany me to my book launch, where I will happily introduce you as my boyfriend and lover. And if anyone has anything to say about it, fuck them.”
Arden’s shoulders relaxed and he leaned into me, resting his chin on my shoulder and allowing me to wrap my arms around him. “I appreciate your fuck-all attitude, but I still think you’re being stupid.”
“Then let me be stupid. This isn’t some fling for me. I want you in my life forever. I want our happy ending.”
He sighed in resignation. “You and your words.”
It was neither an acquiescence nor a refusal, as was his way.
14
the slight
“Arden, you look fine,” I assured him as I had a half-dozen times already. He’d gone back and forth between suits and was now waffling on whether or not to wear a tie. “It’s really not that formal, babe. Look, I’m not wearing a tie.”
“You’re the talent,” Arden said, unbuttoning his shirt only to button it up again.
