Kota tilted his head back so he could see his face. “Won’t you get tired of me?” The question slipped out before he could stop it.
Walker snorted immediately. “No.”
Not maybe. Not probably not. Just no. Something tight in Kota’s chest loosened.
Walker shook his head. “No, I don’t see myself ever getting tired of you.” His thumb brushed across Kota’s cheek. “There are only two people in my life I’m genuinely happy to see.” Kota smiled. “You and Carrot Cake.”
“Which one are you happier to see?” Kota teased, unable to stop grinning.
Walker pretended to consider it. “Well, you let me snuggle you, so you win by default.” He bit Kota’s nose.
“Ow!” Kota cried, rubbing the red spot there.
“You asked.”
Kota laughed. “I’ll take it.”
Walker looked at him. The noise and music from the bar seemed far away suddenly. “I’ll take you.”
Something flashed across Walker’s face. Possessive. Certain. Happy?
“All yours,” Kota promised.
Not for tonight. Not for the trip. Not until Oregon.
Just—
All yours.
Kota rested his head on Walker’s shoulder. For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then he finally said, “Walker?”
“Yeah?”
“Happy birthday.”
Walker chuckled, holding him even tighter. “Thanks, squirrel.”
Kota buried his face in Walker’s throat, breathing in the familiar scent of whiskey, soap, and whatever it was that made Walker smell like home. He didn’t know how long this would last. Maybe forever. Maybe not. But for the first time in his life, he found himself hoping for forever.
Walker was too important. This life—strange and messy and criminal—was too important.
This…whatever it was…was too important.
Want more Kota and Walker?
Sign up for my newsletter HERE
and get a bonus epilogue!
Welcome to the Heartstopper App
Some people download dating apps.
Others download death.
TheHeartstopper Applooks like any other invitation-only network. You swipe, you match, you chat. Except here, “chemistry” doesn’t mean attraction. It means detonation. You don’t meet your soulmate. You meet your mark.
