Page 111 of Quinton's Quest

Such small gestures. Such intimacy. Things missing from your life.Not that I wanted to reflect on the past—but these were things I’d enjoyed with Gideon. Being with him had been as natural as breathing. I missed him at times. Although perhaps the closeness as much as him. Knowing that part of my life wasnever coming back didn’t discomfort me the way it sometimes had in the past.Because I’m looking at my future.

Oh shit.

My inner voice was right.

So go for it.

I cleared my throat.

He cocked his head.

“Could we, uh…” I winced.

“You’re going to have to be more specific. We took physical stuff off the table—for tonight—because the kids are in the next room and possibly a little uncertain after having been with strangers all day.”

“You’re not a stranger to them. Again, I would’ve never left them with someone I didn’t trust.”

His grin overtook his entire face. “I wondered if you’d ever own up to that.”

“That you’re a good person and completely trustworthy? No-brainer. That you’re a fantastic nurse, a loving son, and a great human being? I’m all-in for that as well.”

“Then what were you going to ask?”

“Will you…?” I broke eye contact and gazed up at the ceiling.

Quinton grasped my chin and gently guided my gaze back to his. “Just ask, Leo.”

“Boyfriends.” I forced out the word. “Something more official than fuck buddies.”

“That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“You’ll never know.”

He cocked an eyebrow.

I fidgeted. “Gideon and I never had this conversation. Just one day we realized how we felt about each other. It sounds so strange. We kissed and…that was it. We were secret boyfriends who stumbled through puberty together. Discovered all things sexual, sensual, and emotional. We came out to our parents,were rejected, and moved in together. Marriage was legal by then, so we went down to the courthouse and got married. When we were ready for kids, we just sort of knew. Everything was so simple. Maybe too simple—I took him for granted. And didn’t support him when he needed me the most.”

Slowly, he nodded. “That’s a lot.”

“Sorry—”

“Hush. That didn’t mean what you thought it meant. I’m saying you have an incredible past. You’ve lived what most people wish they could have. And yes, things fell apart. But you’ve put things back together again. That’s powerful, Leo. You’ve forged a relationship—essentially moving back to friendship—with your ex-husband. You’ve accepted his partner. Together, you’ve found a way to parent your two beautiful children. And, finally, you won’t ever take that for granted.”

“No, I really won’t.” I could say that with vehemence.

“So yes, I’d be honored to be your boyfriend. I have no problem putting a label on this—whatever this is.” He straightened, and got a little grin on his face. “You’re my first.”

“Oh really?” I’d some vague notion of this, but hadn’t been able to more than circle around in the nebulousness of our previous conversations.

“Yep. First official boyfriend. The guys in high school and university didn’t count. No one, until you, has made me want to be serious, monogamous, and—” He fluttered his hand. “I can’t think of another adjective that suits. Oh!” He grinned.

I cocked my head—absolutely charmed.

“Well, you’ve already met my mother and I’ve already met your ex. That should make things easier, right? Are you going to tell Gideon? I’m fine if you want to wait—”

“No waiting. I’ll have to share with Gideon what happened today, and that means being honest about my feelings towardyou. I think—” I swallowed. “I’d like to think he’ll be happy for me.”

“From what I know of him? He absolutely would want that. Just as, even if you might be a little jealous, you want the best for him.”