Page 20 of Perfectly Wrong
BISHOP ONE YEAR LATER
“Bishop, can you grab me a beer?”
I smile, opening the ice chest. “Blue Moon?”
“Please.”
I grab one, open it, and walk over to Rocco, flipping burgers on the grill. “This scene feels oddly familiar.”
Rocco laughs. “I bet it does.”
“But this time, I’m so happy.”
Rocco rubs my arm. “Me too.”
I sip my beer, holding Rocco’s gaze for a moment. “While we’re still alone, I have something I want to talk to you about.”
“Sure.”
“I’m thinking of proposing, Rocco. I’d like your blessing to marry your son.”
Rocco’s mouth drops as his eyes fill with tears. “Oh, Bishop. Are you serious?”
I nod. “Yeah. I’m crazy in love. I want to make a commitment to him. A lifelong one. I want you to stand next to us and know without a doubt I’ll take care of him for the rest of my life.”
Rocco throws his arms around me. “You have my blessing. I’m so happy you want this with him. He loves you so much.”
“I know. He deserves it.”
Rocco steps back, putting his hands on my shoulders. “So do you. I always knew you had this amazing heart, that if someone could just find out how to unlock it, they’d be blown away by the man you are. I was right, and my son is the lucky one.”
“He’s changed me. I’m not guarded or afraid of anything anymore. His love for me is so unbridled and unrestricted. It always has been. I told him once his heart was wild, unbound by any obstacles in our path. He’s my world, Rocco.”
“I know. I can see it in your eyes, hear it in your voice, but mostly, I can feel the love between you, and it makes me proud.”
“Proud?”
“Yeah. Proud Tristan knew what he wanted enough to make it happen and proud of you for letting it.”
“Thanks, man. Means a lot. I want to take him somewhere. Maybe an island and just spend a few days alone. I’ll ask him then.”
Rocco smiles. “Exciting.” He laughs. “Wait. This means you’ll be my son-in-law.”
We both laugh. “Now, that’s interesting.”
“What am I missing?”
We both turn at the sound of Tristan’s voice. Immediately, the memory of seeing his face for the first time, standing right here, floods my mind. He was beautiful then, but he’s fucking amazing now.
“Come here.” Tristan grins, walking into my arms. “I was just telling your dad how happy we are.”
Tristan gazes up at me. “Insanely.”
“Yeah.” I lean in and kiss him softly. “Your love tamed me, and I couldn’t be happier about that.”
“You’re still pretty wild,” he whispers in my ear. We both laugh softly.
Rocco smiles. “I need to get something inside.”
Once he’s gone, I pull Tristan even closer, searching his eyes. “You’re such a beautiful man. Inside and out. I’ll love you until I die.”
Tristan brushes his fingers over my cheek. “Don’t make me cry, babe.”
“How long will you love me, Tristan? How long?”
“Is forever long enough?”
“Forever’s good.”
He nods. “I can’t imagine a life without you.”
“No need to. I’ll always be here. For as long as I’m on this earth, my heart and my life are yours.” I lean in, kissing him softly. “You can count on that.”
He grins, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. “What do you say later, you fuck me up in my old bedroom? You know, for old time’s sake?”
I laugh, running my fingers through his hair. “I’m a sucker for nostalgia.”
Tristan reaches down and rubs my bulge. “I’m a sucker for you. Always have been. Always will be.”
“That suits me just fine, babe. Just fine.”