Page 42 of Stood Up

“I can’t explain why, but yeah, I did it. Then when you showed up at the restaurant, I made my move.”

“And you knew then I was the one for you?” I query.

“No.” My heart sinks a bit, but I wait for him to go on. “It wasn’t until I hadn’t had you for four days. When your smell left my pillow and your presence in my home began to fade. That—that was when I knew.”

“I’m not sure whether to be pissed at what you did or think it’s sweet.”

“I’ll go with sweet.” He hoists me up his body so our faces align and rolls so our heads are resting on the pillow. “It happened the way it did; would you have it any other way now, Aiden?”

A rush of warmth hits me as I look into his sea green eyes, the ones that pulled me in at first contact. He didn’t lie to me about it and told me everything honestly. That’s what I need. I need him.

“No, I love you, Mason.”

His smile is wide. “And I love you, Aiden.”

“This is really real?” I ask, a little taken aback by the gravity of this moment.

“Baby, this is as real as it gets.” Mason reaches over and grabs my head. “I wouldn’t change a damn thing.” His lips touch mine, and I agree with him. Even as twisted as it is, I wouldn’t change a damn thing either.