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Epilogue

Three Months Later

Adam broke down the last box and put it on the table. He walked back over to the bookshelf and straightened the books he’d just put on the shelf.

“You know, it’s beautiful in here. No one would’ve cared about those shelves being empty,” Ben said. He set down the trays of cookies and chocolate-covered pretzels.

“I’ve been lazy about unpacking. And now you’ve finally moved in with me, I need to get all my stuff out of your way. Plus, I want it to look homey,” Adam said. He walked over to Ben and drew him close. “Want this Christmas to be special.”

“It will be. Trust me.” Ben went back to the kitchen and brought out a tin of popcorn and a stack of little plates. “Jeremy is bringing his new girlfriend. Your mom is making this orange rum cake I keep hearing about from the two of you.” He nodded to the tree. “And Latte hasn’t knocked down a single Christmas ornament.”

They both looked to where she lay curled up asleep between two presents.

“True. And I do have some plans for later that will make it extra special.” Adam ran his hands up and down Ben’s back.

“Do you?” Ben asked, wrapping his arms even tighter around Adam.

“Yeah. Have a special present for you.”

Ben eyed him and drew back. “Let’s get one thing straight right now. You are not proposing to me.”

Adam crossed his arms. “I’m not? Hmmm. I’m pretty sure I’m still your boss. Even if you did abandon me and run off to HR.”

“It was a ten percent raise. I may have a rich boyfriend, but I like my independence. Plus, there was something I wanted to buy.” Ben went over to the tree and reached behind Latte, his fingers rifling under the Christmas tree skirt. She opened her eyes and made a little noise at him, and he petted her as she stretched.

Adam stared at the tiny box in Ben’s hands, and he shifted his stance as a wave of dizziness came over him. Ben got down on one knee and opened the box, revealing a stunning brushed silver band. Ben reached for Adam’s hand and said, “I wanted you the very first time I saw you. I was overcome with lust the first time we touched.I spent an entire weekend in bed, angry at you and debating whether or not I could show my face at work ever again. And then, after all that, I actually met you. Properly. You were kind and gracious and forgiving, no matter how difficult I was. You saw past it. No matter how snarky and resentful the things I said were. I’m not entirely sure, but I think I fell in love with you the day you found out about your parents’ accident. I told you I’d help, and you looked into my eyes and kissed my hand. Said I was already helping you.” He took the ring out of the box and held it up. “Will you marry me, Adam Raymond?”

Adam went down on his knees as well. He ran his finger over the band and then extended his fingers. “Took me all this time to get you to move in here and you’ve probably been planning this the entire time.”

“I was sleeping here plenty.” Ben slid the ring onto his finger.

“Latte moved in before you did. Two whole days.”

“The moving men were coming. She’d have been miserable all caged up.” Ben lifted Adam’s hand and rubbed it against his cheek. “Is this a yes?”

Adam smiled. “Yes. Of course it is.” He pulled Ben into a deep, hungry kiss.

Ben sighed when they parted. “Didn’t mean to do it before our guests arrived, but I couldn’t have you stealing my thunder.”

Adam laughed. “I wouldn’t have. Been telling myself all week I should just be happy you’re finally here permanently.”

“So, it’s okay I asked you?”

Blinking, Adam said, “Is it okay? It’s so much more than okay. It’s amazing, just like you.”

They kissed again, Adam wishing they had time to go upstairs. The doorbell rang just then.

“Guess we better get that,” Ben said.

Adam stood up and drew Ben to his feet. “We should. We have something wonderful to share with them.”

The End