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Rodney turns away, like he’s going to head into the kitchen to grab that pizza we’re taking home but I stop him, grabbing his wrist. He freezes, staring down at my hand. Slowly, his eyes move up until our eyes lock.

I stare up at him, hoping my eyes say all the things I’m too afraid to admit with my mouth. A moment passes. Then another.

Fuck, he’s not saying anything and I’m not saying anything and I’ve somehow fucked it all up.

I open my mouth to apologize but what comes out instead is a surprised gasp as Rodney tugs me forward until our chests are pressed together. His hands move to my face, pulling me into a kiss. This one is square on the mouth and there’s absolutely no questioning what this means. This isn’t a gesture of gratitude between buddies. This kiss isearth-shattering.

Rodney’s palms are so big and warm against my cheeks, holding me in place. It’s like he’s afraid I’m going to run away but in reality, there’s not a single place I’d rather be than right here with him.

Our lips fit together just right and it feels natural, like everything in our friendship was building up to this moment. All the longing and pining and love presses against my insides before bursting out. My arms move around Rodney’s back, holding him tight, willing him to stay like this with me forever.

My head is spinning, my chest is bursting, and my knees are weak. This is everything I’ve wanted for so long. Warmth builds behind my eyes and despite how much I’m trying not to cry, tears slide down my cheeks.

Rodney pulls back, both of us panting. His thumbs slowly move against my cheeks, pushing the tears away.

“Hey,” he whispers, his breath fanning across my face. “Don’t cry, Pete. I’m sorry if--”

I cut him off by surging up and kissing him again. There’s no way in hell I’m about to let this man apologize for kissing me. Now that we’re here, there’s no going back.

“I’m not sorry,” I tell him, murmuring against his lips, his stubble tickling my face. “I’m crying because I’m sohappy.”

“Oh,” he breathes out, his face splitting into a smile so radiant it would rival the sun. “Are you? Really? You’re sure?”

Rodney is still cupping my face, like I’m something precious. Like I’m something worth cherishing. More tears spill down my cheeks which in itself is a feat because I very rarely cry, but these feelings are all hitting me so quickly, so forcibly.

“Yes, you silly man,” I say, letting out a wet chuckle. I reach up, placing my palms against the back of his hands. “I’ve wanted to do that for years.” His eyes widen in surprise. “I’ve been holding myself back because I didn’t want to lose my best friend, but tonight, seeing you come in from the snow storm, seeing you get to work in my pizza shop, seeing the way you slot yourself into my life so fully, I realized you’re already my partner in everything but name.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Rodney says seriously. He leans down until his forehead is pressed against mine. “My place is right here, by your side, for as long as you’ll have me.”

“You really mean that?”

“Every word.”

I’ve been holding myself back for so long, but not any more. I lean up and kiss him again, realizing that I could so easily grow addicted to kissing him. Who needs to eat or sleep or work when you could simply kiss Rodney?

“Hey,” Rodney whispers against my lips. “We should stop.”

I pull back and pout. “What? No! I’ve only just started kissing you, I’m not stopping now!”

He chuckles and the noise washes over me, making a shiver race down my spine and warmth flood my stomach. “We can keep kissing once we’re home.” Then a look crosses his features. “If you want to. No pressure or anything. I don’t even know what this all means, but it’s still snowing and, yeah,” he finishes lamely, waving a hand in the direction of the window.

I run my fingers down his arms, over his shoulders, and up his neck. I hold his face in my hands, a mirror to how he was holding me just a moment before. “Rodney,” I say slowly, needing him to understand. I’m about to lay it all on the line. “I want you. All of you.” I swallow thickly, ignoring the way my voice is shaking. “I love you.”

ChapterTwo

Rodney

Just earlier tonight, I couldn’t stop thinking about how domestic this all was. Being in the shop, working alongside my best friend, listening to him talk to his workers. If every night was spent like this for the rest of my life, I’d think I spent a life worth living. What more could a man truly want or need?

When your best friend is the strongest man you know, it’s hard not to fall head over heels for him. We’ve known each other since we were kids and we’ve been inseparable for all these years. When he told me, whispered in the safety of the darkness one late night, that he wanted to leave our little town, I knew I would never forgive myself if I didn’t come along. I think that literally might have been the best decision I’ve ever made.

Not only did Pete sayfuck the hatersin order to be himself, but he followed his dreams with a passion I’ve never seen before. It’s intoxicating, just being allowed to be in his orb, to be in his space. He works his ass off and I’m more than happy to be there to help support him however he’ll allow me.

Even if that’s just spending late nights together in his pizza shop.

Except now he’s looking up at me with giant, brown eyes full of expectation and affection andlove. I somehow feel completely blindsided and like I’ve been waiting to hear those three little words from him for a lifetime all at the same time. I’m overwhelmed with how fuckinghappyI am to hear him say that.

Words escape me so instead, I wrap my arms around Pete’s waist and haul him up into my arms. I swing him in a circle, tugging him off his feet. I laugh, the noise bubbling out of me straight from my chest against my permission. The two of us giggle together, overcome with our emotions.