Page 10 of Fusion (Gravity #2)

Dash

July 3rd, 2006

Grant Park, Chicago

My belly was rarely ever full, but today it was after a fun afternoon at the Taste of Chicago. We sampled many different cuisines from the area, and listened to several local live bands perform. I was certain this was the best day I’d had since arriving in Illinois. So much so, I said the words aloud, taking tastes of the gelato from both my mini cup and Beau’s.

“You gotta taste this.” I wanted Beau to try them all too. Today, my official birthday celebration day, meant that saying no wasn’t an option for Beau. I lifted my tiny spoon to his lips, waiting for him to take the bite. When he did, I said, “Best day since we moved here.”

“You say that every day,” Beau said, eyeing my gelato. “That’s good. Better than mine. Let me get one.”

I didn’t get a say or even an acknowledgement, Beau simply walked away, returning to the booth we had just visited. We’d been lucky all day. Besides the beautiful, warm weather with not a cloud in the sky, we never experienced more than a handful of people in any restaurant vendor’s line. Watching him leave wasn’t the hardship I pretended it to be. I couldn’t help but admire his ass in the cargo shorts he wore.

He effortlessly pulled off the casual yet cool vibe, better than anyone I’d ever seen before. He wore sandals, and a T-shirt, with a backward ball cap, hiding much of his growing out hair, and a pair of aviator sunglasses to block the bright sun. The stud earrings added to his mystique. All the clothes I’d secretly added into his side of the closet before the situation with my family had gone down.

Honestly, screw the legal field, I should have been a stylist with how completely I nailed Beau’s clothing to his personality. I gave myself a nod while taking credit for Beau’s beauty.

What about beauty for his nickname? Nah, he’d cancel that in less than a second.

“Is the gelato food like an ice cream or is it ice, like ice?” Linda asked, coming to my side, curiously glancing in my cup. I was reminded of the melting treat in my hand after being lost in how defined Beau’s thighs and calves were.

“Mom, you want one?” Beau called out.

She shook her head, “I’m stuffed.”

After spending the last thirty days with Beau and his mom, I saw where his personality came from. Linda was a little more open to suggestions than Beau, and her son was significantly taller than his mom, but they were cut from the same cloth. A very pretty fabric based on the changes Linda had gone through since I last saw her. She was thin, the aging on her face was gone—completely erased—and she wore a bohemian style dress that fit her frame remarkably well. She smiled easily, charming the people, mainly men, around her. Beau had a fit every time it happened.

Beau came back to us, handing a cup to his mom. “Son, I’m full.”

“Just take a bite,” he said. His spoon was already scooping a bite from his small bowl. “I’ll eat whatever you don’t.”

Right. The real reason he purchased the extra cup was so he could finish it off.

“My tickets are all used,” Beau said.

“I have five tickets left,” I said, reaching into my pocket, handing over what was left.

“We’re going to the John Hancock Building next, right?” she asked, finally taking the bite, no doubt only because her son wanted her to. The love and commitment each shared for the other was inspiring. I’d work every day to ensure they both continued to love me so completely. Her eyes grew surprised as she glanced down at the cup. “This is delicious. Gelato. I’ve never had it before. I didn’t understand what it was. There has to be milk or cream in here.”

“It’s the way they process the milk fat, right?” Beau asked me. I’d given him a long lesson on the difference between ice cream and gelato, taking my time to explain how it was made. The air content and calorie differences took about three long minutes for me to describe. I knew he hadn’t listened.

“Yeah,” I answered. Neither picked up my sarcastic intent with the single word used. “It’s time to head to the Signature Lounge and find our seats. I heard it gets crowded fast.” We had a twenty-five-minute walk. For today only, Beau somehow secured a reservation for the Fourth of July firework show that included the Signature Lounge, a bar in the building. Our allotted time of arrival was in about thirty minutes.

We’d have a few hours to drink and enjoy the party before going up to our reserved spot at the observatory to watch the fireworks from the best vantage point in the city. Today marked the beginning of my birthday celebration, even though I still had tomorrow to look forward to. The same day that I claimed as mine and Beau’s anniversary.

I started in that direction, but then glanced back, noticing Linda and Beau moved at a snail’s pace. Their meandering this time was caused by a second run through of the vendors, collecting paper menus from the various restaurants. I followed a strict schedule, one I had created inside my head, and they continually threw a wrench in it over and again, making me have to remind myself that I loved them both dearly.

So I paused for each of them to remember me, especially since the entire day was about me and my birthday. Apparently, easygoing and reasonable weren’t part of my emotional makeup this day.

“Y’all can meet me there,” I offered when they drew closer.

“Because you have a change of clothing in your backpack,” Beau teased aloud, drawing the attention of everyone within hearing distance. Damn, I’d claimed the bundle in my backpack as a picnic blanket, just in case. I’d hoped to stave off the teasing until I changed at the bar. Of course, Beau knew the truth. We spent every available second together. No one knew me as well as my guy.

“It took you long enough,” I replied, deciding I’d give him shit about being slow on the uptake.

“I’ve known. I was waiting for the right time to reveal the truth, you liar,” Beau said, grinning as he walked straight to me and pressed a kiss on my lips. Since I loved that he was now instigating the PDAs, I gave in. I guessed it wasn’t too challenging to discover my backpack filled with clothes and toiletries.

“I’ll share them with you if you’re nice,” I offered. As I turned around again, he grabbed my wrist. My body was brought back to Beau’s. “Stop being a baby and walk with us. Enjoy the day.”

Well, I sure had done that. Beau slid an arm under my backpack, circling a hand to my hip. We were walking side-by-side. Linda grinned at me.

“He’s sweaty,” I said, ready to forfeit our plans in order to crawl underneath his T-shirt and stay locked around him.

“Let’s go,” Beau prompted. “We still have lots of birthday time left.” I was completely appeased. My guy was more relaxed here which made me remember I needed to slow my roll and smell the flowers too.

“Come on, guys.” In unison, we glanced over toward Linda’s voice who had big city living down. She’d hailed a cab, ducking into the backseat. “He’s going to drop me off at the condo and you at the John Hancock Building.”

I’d planned to walk, but this was much better. Beau took off for the ride, I followed. I’d have more time to primp this way.

The observation deck in the John Hancock Building’s ninety-fourth floor was an incredible way to watch the city celebrate my birthday. It was also much chillier than I’d expected since it was in a climate-controlled building. Beau was prepared though. He’d packed a jacket. I, on the other hand, had worried too much about my appearance and not enough about practicality.

“Take my jacket,” Beau said again.

“I’m not going to. You’ll be cold,” I said, glancing up and behind me. This time, Beau opened the coat and pulled me back against his chest, wrapping it around my body as far as it would go. His arms followed, and I warmed slightly.

The fireworks show began with a loud booming pop drawing our attention. Suddenly the dark sky crackled under the opener’s bright beauty. We stood just that way, Beau’s arms encircling me, my hands gripping his forearms to keep him close. I lost myself to the feel of being here with my guy.

I loved everything about the fireworks. At some point, Beau clasped something around my wrist and pulled back from our hold. The lights on the observation deck were mostly off for the show, but I glanced back as best I could, lifting a questioning brow at his actions. Beau only nodded me forward to watch the display. Then he placed his jacket sloppily on my shoulders and held it there to allow me time to shove each of my arms through the sleeves. His warmth and smell still permeated the jacket ensuring the moment was romantic and cozy. The palms of his big hands ran up and down my arms, helping to warm me up.

The thoughts of the Fourth of July we’d spent together six years ago came flooding through my mind. That had been the first time we had made love with not only each other but with anyone. The only man I ever wanted to make love with for the rest of my life. As if he heard my memories, he tightened his arms around me just as the finale began its booming chorus. We stood there even after the smoke cleared and the other patrons began to leave. Our position didn’t change, still staring out at the dark, alluring night.

“I love you. Thank you for today,” I said quietly.

“I love you too,” he said all breathy and warm against my ear.

“Can I see what you put on my wrist?” This time I fully turned, lifting my hand.

“It’s your birthday present,” he said. “I know it’s tomorrow, but I believe you deserve your own day to celebrate.”

“Gentlemen, the observation deck’s closed,” a security guard called out behind us. I reluctantly let the surprise on my arm wait. We needed a moment of alone time. In all probability, I was going to love this present and needed a make-out session of appreciation.

“Come on,” I murmured. “I want to see what you got me.”

I didn’t resist reaching out to him, taking his hand as we walked toward the brightly lit elevator with its doors wide open. Beau offered a quiet apology to the security guard, and we ascended two floors, my anticipation growing with each moment. This perfect day was far more than I thought we’d share. Beau genuinely surprised me with a material gift.

With much difficulty, hell, everyone knew I wasn’t a patient guy, I managed to wait until we were seated in the lounge again to shrug off his jacket and finally take a look at the bracelet hanging off my wrist. That wasn’t exactly true, it fit to size comfortably. I recognized the antique silver chain styled in open block links, which I had occasionally selected for myself, but needed to trace my finger along the material that threaded through the chain.

“Is it wood?” I asked, instantly rejecting the thought.

“Yeah. I knew you’d figure it out,” Beau said proudly. “Now what kind?”

I stared at the unusual piece, trying to identify the source. Nothing came to mind as I retraced the grain.

“Black walnut from Sea Springs,” Beau answered excitedly, unable to hold back the response any longer. He was proud of his gift, which made it better in every way. “I bought the bracelet from a group trying to make money to help the Houston flood victims. I saw it and thought of where we started.”

The gorgeous piece of jewelry became the most treasured I’d ever received. “The trees are ones that were uprooted, none were harmed to make this.” Beau covered my hand with his, drawing my gaze up to his. “Do you like it, or was it dumb?”

“I love it. Try to get it off me.”

Beau’s eyes turned doe-eyed sweet, and I leaned across the small table for a kiss.

“Take me home. Let’s finish the celebration in bed tonight. It’s my turn to top.”

He was already scooting out of the chair before I finished the sentence.

“So, no new drinks?” a waitress asked.

“No,” I said. Forward thinking was my new jam. I purposely hadn’t opened a tab, so we’d have a faster escape route when we needed to leave. “We’re done with the table.”

“Got it. Be careful out there,” she said.

Careful was the last thing I intended for the rest of this night.