Page 41 of Delicious (Delicious #1)

Epilogue

Euan

W e’re at the airport, waiting for Lewis to get through security. The boys have made ‘Welcome Home’ banners. As a result, my house looks like it’s been hit by a glitter bomb.

Cameron and I stand hand in hand. Exploring our mutual attraction has led to five amazing months of getting to know each other in new and wonderful ways. I’ve never been happier, and judging by the way Cameron smiles at me every day, the same is true for him.

Despite Lewis giving us his blessing—so to speak—I can’t deny I’m nervous about seeing him face-to-face for the first time since Cameron and I got together.

“There he is! There he is!” Elliott exclaims.

He and Peter bounce up and down, waving their banners. Multicoloured glitter drifts onto the floor around their feet. Lewis is wearing a casual linen suit. He has a rucksack slung over one shoulder and is pushing a large suitcase. His skin is tanned. He has a few more grey hairs and crowfeet than I remember but overall looks happy.

As soon as he’s close enough, he puts his bags down, holds out his arms, and crouches. Elliott abandons his poster and hurls himself into his dad’s arms. Lewis hugs his youngest son tightly. When Elliott finally lets go, Lewis stays where he is, arms outstretched once more, and winks at Cameron.

“Oh, no. I’m too big for that,” Cameron says.

“You’re never too big for hugs.” Lewis stands and gives Cameron a hug combined with a pat on the back. “It’s good to see you, buddy. I’ve missed you all.”

“We’ve missed you too, Dad. But hey, the house didn’t burn down while you were gone.”

Lewis laughs nervously. “Good to hear it. Is it still in one piece?”

“In one piece. Clean, tidy, with a fully stocked fridge.”

“Impressive.” He turns his attention to me and shakes my hand.

It’s a more formal greeting than I was expecting. What was I expecting? A handwave, perhaps. Maybe even a brief hug like the one he gave me when he left for Hong Kong. But a firm handshake?

“How have you been?” he asks.

Oh, you know, enjoying kissing your son. Enjoying running my hands all over his body. Enjoying having his—Never mind. “Great.”

He glances at Cameron. “Are you taking care of my son?”

What do I say to that?

Lewis laughs. “Relax, I’m kidding.”

“You’ve got used to the idea of there being an us, then?” Cameron asks.

Lewis shrugs. “I didn’t have much choice, did I? Are you making each other happy?”

Cameron and I stare into each other’s eyes for far too long a moment.

“Yes, they are,” Peter and Elliott say in unison.

“I’ve never seen Dad happier,” Peter says.

“It’s the first time Cameron hasn’t dated a loser,” Elliott says.

“Hey!” Cameron objects.

“It’s true.”

Cameron cups my face. “I’m not going to confirm or deny anything about my past boyfriends, but you’re definitely not a loser.” He kisses me. In front of his dad. It’s not a peck on the lips either but a long, passionate kiss with tongues.

I stop caring about Lewis’s presence after the first few seconds. I close my eyes and kiss Cameron just as hard.

“They do that a lot,” Peter says.

Cameron and I break apart.

Lewis’s eyes are sparkling. “You do seem happy together. Now, as wonderful as airport reunions are, can we get home? I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight.”

“It’s still morning!” Elliott says.

He and the boys walk away, trailing their posters and glitter behind them. Cameron and I linger a little farther behind.

“That went well,” I say.

“Did you doubt it would?”

I shrug. “I wasn’t sure until the moment we saw him. Video chats are very different to seeing a relationship in person.”

“Why do you think I kissed you like that?”

I smile. “Because you like me?”

Cameron pulls me round and to a halt so we’re facing one another. “I more than like you, Euan.”

I blink.

“This is probably the least romantic place in existence to say this, but here goes. Somewhere along the line, I fell in love with you.”

I gawp at him, eyes wide. My tummy flutters. My head spins. My pulse races. Cameron loves me?

He smiles nervously. “Say something.”

“You—?”

“Love you. And Peter.”

My heart does a loop-the-loop. The fluttering in my stomach transforms into giddy bubbles that spread through my body, making me feel so light I could float into the stratosphere. I smile so wide my cheeks ache. I know, deep down, in that instant, how I feel about Cameron.

“I love you too, Cam.”

He grins.

I pull him close for a searing, lip-tingling, toe-curling kiss, which leaves us gasping for air.

He rests his forehead against mine. “We should catch up with the others.”

We glance in that direction. Lewis and the boys are standing twenty or so feet away, grinning.

We hold hands and walk towards them. They carry on before we reach them. Are they purposefully giving us privacy?

How are things going to change now Lewis is back? Will Cameron want to continue living under his dad’s roof? Before the Hong Kong trip came up, Cameron was all set to move out. He’d put a deposit down on a flat. If he doesn’t move out, would I feel comfortable spending the night there, with Lewis in a neighbouring room? On the other hand, it would be easier for Cameron to spend nights at mine.

“Penny for them,” he says.

I blink and stare at him. “Who says that anymore?”

“The guy who likes old black-and-white movies.” He winks.

Over the last five months, Cameron has shown me all his favourite films. I’ve never been enamoured by that era of film, except the ones that included song and dance, but I’ve grown to appreciate the ones he loves, helped along by his infectious enthusiasm for them.

I squeeze his hand. “Would you think about moving in with me?”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“Have you talked to Peter about it?”

“No. I’ve only just come up with the idea.”

“You should.”

He’s right. I should. It isn’t just my house. It’s Peter’s too. Every decision I make—especially one as monumental as asking the guy I love to move in with us—has to involve Peter.

“I will.”

“When you have his blessing, ask me again.”

When we get to the car park, the five of us squeeze into my car. Cameron sits in the passenger seat, and Lewis sits in the back between the boys, who fire questions at him about Hong Kong and the flight the whole drive home. Cameron rests his hand on my thigh throughout the drive.

Once we’re home, I put my hands on Peter’s shoulders before he has a chance to dash into Lewis’s home with Elliott.

“We should give them some space,” I say softly.

“Aww.”

“Plus, I need to talk to you about something.”

“What?”

“You’ll find out. Let’s go.”

We wave Cameron, Lewis, and Elliott goodbye and enter our house. I go to the sitting room, sit on the sofa, and pat the cushion beside me.

Peter joins me. “What did you want to talk about?”

“How would you feel if I asked Cameron to move in with us?” I hold my breath.

Peter purses his lips. “Would it mean fewer sleepovers?”

“Not necessarily. Elliott could sleep over here, and I’m sure his dad would be happy for you to sleep over there. Not every night, mind.”

Over the last five months, Cameron and I have kept sleepovers mostly to Friday and Saturday nights and school holidays.

“Well, what do you think?” I ask.

Peter grins. “Sure, Cameron can move in. I like him.”

“I love him.”

“Does that mean you’re going to get married?”

My heart flutters. “Maybe. One day. Let’s start with seeing how we all get along with Cameron living here first, okay?”

“Will he sleep in your room?”

“Is—is that okay?”

“Uh, yeah. It would be weird for your boyfriend to sleep in another room.”

I ruffle Peter’s hair. “Thanks, buddy.”

He stands, grabs my arm, and tugs me up.

“What are you doing?”

“We need to ask Cameron to move in with us.”

“Now?”

“Yup.”

“You don’t want to make another poster?” I’m joking, but Peter’s eyes light up.

“Good idea! Give me half an hour.” He releases my hand and runs off.

Oh, well. Aside from the fact that my house will be even more caked in glitter, it’ll give Cameron, Lewis, and Elliott more time to catch up. I’m going to ask Cameron to move in with us. Will he say yes?

Almost an hour later, we ring next door’s doorbell. Peter is holding a huge sign with the message facing towards him.

Elliott answers the door. “Hey, do you want to come in?”

Peter shakes his head. “Go get Cam,” he whispers.

Elliott stares at Peter, the poster with its message hidden, and then me. “Okay.” He leaves the door open and runs into the house, calling Cameron’s nickname.

Cameron approaches the door a few moments later, smiling. “Hello, strangers. Do you want to come in?”

Peter turns his poster around and yells, “Move in with us, Cam!”

I nudge him. “You’re supposed to ask, not demand.”

Cameron laughs.

“Will you move in with us?” Peter asks.

Lewis joins us at the door. “What’s going on?” His gaze drifts to the sign. He hooks his arm around Cameron’s shoulders. “Trying to steal my son away, I see?”

Heat rises to my face. “It’s not like that,” I splutter.

Lewis laughs. “You need to relax, Euan. I’ve got used to the idea of the two of you being together. If it helps, I officially give you my blessing to date my son and ask him to move in with you. Just don’t break his heart.”

“Dad!” Cameron rolls his eyes.

“I don’t intend to. Ever,” I say.

Cameron blushes.

“Well? You didn’t answer our question,” Peter says.

“Will you move in with us?” I ask.

Cameron steps over the threshold and grasps my hand. “I would love to move in with you and Peter.”

“Pack your things,” Peter says.

“Now?”

“Yes, now. Chop-chop.”

Cameron cracks up laughing. “I love this kid. Who says that?”

“My kid, apparently.” I pull Cameron to me for a swift kiss. “Seriously, though, there’s no time like the present. Move in with us. Now.”

He kisses me back. “Gladly.”