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As I’d hoped, Phillip’s eyes widened.

“And a trans man.He was a sweetheart.Moved away and we drifted apart.”He drew in a breath.“Just…I’m not really into women.I find some of them attractive—and I certainly love the intelligent ones.”My mind flashed to both Norah and Shayna and how they’d been brilliant today.“But you’re the one I want.”

“For now.”

I drew in a breath.Foreverwas on the tip of my tongue.But he wasn’t ready to hear that and, if I was truly honest, I wasn’t ready to say it.Not because I couldn’t envision him here for all time…but because I needed time, patience, maybe some conversation with folks who saw me clearer than I saw myself.To make sure I wasn’t making a mistake.Wasn’t pushing Phillip so hard that I might make him turn tail and run.“I’m okay with taking things one day at a time.You’re here.You’re safe.That reassures me.That makes me feel like we’re on the right track.So come to my bed tonight.Let me hold you.Or you hold me.Or we snuggle with Wally.Whatever works.We can sort the rest out tomorrow or the next day or a week from now.”

“You make it sound so simple.”

“It is.You don’t want to be alone tonight.I’m happy to invite you to my bed.”

“Yeah, okay.”

I offered my hand.

He took it.

We walked back to his room.

He coaxed Wally off the spare bed, then grabbed the little guy’s padded bed from the floor.

I nabbed the stairs.

We made our way to my room.

As Phillip settled in, I had a quick shower, then changed into pajamas in the ensuite bathroom.Thank God I had a pair—something to wear when I was around the nibblets.Otherwise I was like Raphael—no clothes, thank you.

Phillip had chosen the unused side of the bed—clearly noting my phone, clock radio, charger, and reading glasses on my side.Well, hopefully he hadn’t noticed the glasses.I only needed the damn things when I was super tired and scrolling on my phone at night in bed.

My optometrist kept admonishing me.

I kept disobeying her orders.

And my eyes were getting worse.

Tonight, though, I ensured no alarms were set and crawled into bed.“Why don’t you turn away from me?Then I can snuggle you.”

“Yeah, okay.”He pressed a hand to his belly.

I laid my hand over his.“Don’t, okay?I like having something to hold on to.Something other than a skinny guy who’s all angles.”I didn’t mention how good one skinny guy’s blow jobs had been.Or how he’d taken off for Colorado not long after we’d started seeing each other and how I really hadn’t missed him.Because those things didn’t matter.No one before Phillip mattered.

“Wally’s asleep down on his bed.”

I glanced over to find the pup with his head lolled back, his tongue stuck out, and a light snore coming from him.“He’s had a long day.”

“Yeah, those kids really wear him out.”

“You too.”

He grinned.“Yeah, me too.But I had fun.”

“Great.Now?—”

“Turn over.Yes, oh bossy one.”Yet, after giving me an impish grin, he did just that and turned away from me.

I shut off the lights, then positioned myself behind him.After a bit of adjusting, I fitted my thighs against his, pressed my front to his back, and slid my hand around to his chest.Then I laid my hand on his sternum.“Sleep, Phillip.I’ve got you.”

And I don’t want to ever let you go.