Page 25

ANDY

I snap a picture of Trevor enjoying the fireworks and send it to Kevin.

Andy: He’s perfect.

Kevin: Awe, he looks like a sweet guy.

Andy: I think I love him.

Andy: No, I know I love him.

Kevin: Have you told him?

No.

“Trevor?”

“Yeah?” Slowly Trevor turns to look at me, the sweetest grin on his face.

My heart pounds. Maybe it’s too soon, but I’m sure I fell for him the instant he sat in my lap at the club.

I hold out my hand and cup his cheek. He leans into me with a happy little hum.

“I love you, sweetheart.”

His eyes go wide and he sucks in a breath. “Really? Even though?—”

“Yes. I love you . I don’t care about?—”

The gondola sways when he launches himself at me. “I love you, too, Daddy. Andy. You make me feel seen. Like I don’t have to change myself for you to like me. I can… I can just be Trevor.”

“That makes my heart happy.” I hold him, wanting him as close as I can have him. “I want you to always feel safe with me.”

“You understand me. No one else has ever tried. They’ve called me names because I’m not how they think I should be. But not you. You accept me. All of me.” Tears stream down his face when he blinks. “Thank you.” He drops his head to my shoulder and traces his finger along my chest. “Thank you.”

The fireworks continue, and it feels like they’re celebrating us.