Scott thanked him, appreciating that Liam conveyed concern without hovering.
He found a comfortable chair in a quiet corner and settled in with his phone, reading through funny social media posts and finally choosing an ebook that he had already started. The familiar smell of books and the quiet hum of muted conversation felt safe and reassuring.
Before he knew it, his phone vibrated with a text from Justin.
Justin:Finished with appointments. Need to do my shutdown routine, and I’ll come pick you up for dinner. See you soon. Love you.
Scott smiled and felt a surprising surge of pride that he had made it through the last several hours on his own.My counselor said to count the wins, even the little ones. That’s the longest I’ve been alone since things happened.
Normally, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it. Now, it’s a milestone. I’m proud of myself, even if it might seem silly to someone else.
Scott gathered his jacket and headed for the library entrance. Despite having spent a pleasant couple of hours in the safety of the library, Scott felt a wave of relief when Justin walked into the lobby.
“Miss me?” Justin gave Scott a quick kiss.
“I managed to survive,” Scott quipped, and they both ignored that his reply was only partly teasing.
“Good. I hope you’re hungry, because I’m starving.” Justin checked his watch. “Let’s go.”
“Everything’s likely to be busy, thanks to the festival,” Scott warned.
“Good thing I got a reservation,” Justin replied.
They hadn’t eaten out since the threat against Scott’s life, making dinner another first, like going to the festival. Scott realized how much he had stopped doing to stay safe, and felt his resolve strengthen to take back the things he enjoyed.
“How did your flights go?” he asked as they walked, trying to turn off his intrusive thoughts.
“They went well,” Justin said. “I took the people where they wanted to go and pointed out some extras they didn’t know about. Of course, I always get the stories about what made them sign up for the flights. That’s what makes it interesting.”
“And?” Scott prompted.
“My first person hadn’t been back here since he was a kid, camping with his family,” Justin replied. “He wasn’t expecting the landscape to have changed, but he wanted to get an adult perspective of where the key places were. He talked about catching his first fish and learning to go canoeing and how his cousin scared the bejesus out of him with stories about a zombie bear who ate children.”
Scott laughed. “Everyone hasthatcousin, I swear! How about the other customer?”
“Husband and wife visiting for the first time from Burlington,” Justin told him. “They knew the Adirondacks were big, but not how big. We couldn’t see everything, of course, but even in an hour, they got a pretty good overview. They’re staying in a hotel this time but are planning to come back and find a lodge or a cabin for a moreauthenticexperience.”
“Good for them! I’m all for modern amenities, but to each his own,” Scott said.
Justin led them to Riker’s Steak House, their special-occasion place, since it was pricier than some of their other favorites but didn’t have a dress code.
“Going all out?” Scott joked.
Justin’s smile slipped. “Gotta celebrate the wins. You’re safe and alive and with me. We’re together. That’s the most important thing in the world.”
The manager knew Justin, and she took them to a table in a quiet alcove. “Take your time. You have the table for as long as you want. Enjoy.”
Justin held Scott’s chair and then sat across from him. “You know the menu, so get whatever you’re in the mood for.”
They both ordered steaks with salads, baked potatoes, and house-baked rolls, along with a bottle of red wine. When the server had taken their order and collected the menus, leaving them alone, Justin slid off his chair to one knee. He reached into his pocket, withdrew a small box, and revealed a pair of gold rings etched with runes.
“Scott Jefferson, will you be my forever mate?”
Scott gasped and felt tears start. “Oh, my God! Yes! Absolutely. Yes.”
Yes, yes, yes!his coyote echoed.
Justin grinned and slid one of the rings on Scott’s right hand, putting the other on his own.
