You look incredible. I can’t wait to take you out in that outfit and then take you out of it when we get home.
Zeke
Thank you.
Me
Are you having fun?
Zeke
Eloise is a blast. I might be tipsy. Did you know they give you champagne when you try on clothes here?
Me
They’re hoping it makes you want to buy more. I hope so too.
Zeke
Spending your money makes me wildly uncomfortable.
Me
I’ve been waiting my whole life to be able to spoil you.
Zeke
You DO spoil me. Remember yesterday’s shower?
Me
Baby, not even drowning me could purge that memory from my brain.
“Talon?”my dad says, causing my eyes to snap to his. “We need to go.”
“Right.”
I fire off one last message to Zeke as I walk to the boardroom, missing him terribly. Lukas walks behind me, and I can feel the tension radiating off him. Lukas and I are close, and I know he means well, but if I’m forced to choose, he won’t like the outcome. I’d take a bullet for my brother, but I’d pull the trigger for Zeke.
Chapter 32
Zeke
The city is overstimulating in the best way possible. The two-mile walk from Talon’s penthouse to the theater on Forty-Fifth Street is cold and loud, but still bustling with energy, a lot of it mine. After eating a huge dinner, the walk is necessary to help my food settle. Talon had asked if I wanted to take the car service, but I’d declined. I can’t see things as well from the car, and I like to feel connected to the city’s energy, not hide myself from it behind the tinted privacy windows of the car.
As we stroll, people don’t even blink twice as Talon and I walk hand-in-hand down the street. Not a single rude comment or slur is made. We’re justus.Two guys, in love, out for a night on the town.
The smells of the street alternate between food and car exhaust. The occasional horn blares, but I’m learning it’s done more as a communication style rather than out of anger…although sometimes it’s angry communication.
Turning onto Forty-Fifth Street, Times Square is lightingup the night, and my mouth falls open. I come to a complete stop, my head tilting back as I struggle to take it all in.
Spinning in a slow circle as wet snowflakes hit my glasses, I feel the last bit of weight in my chest loosen, leaving me free.
This is home.
“What do you think?” Talon asks, speaking directly into my ear so I can hear him over the noise of the city. People are walking in every direction around us, but I’m frozen where I stand.
I open my mouth to speak, but have to close it quickly, thanks to the emotion stealing my voice.
