Page 16 of The Year of Us: June

I had no fucking idea.

But I knew that within the next fourteen days, I’d have to figure it out.

CHAPTER 13

Cory

I knocked atReese’s door at precisely six p.m. I’d been forced into the office all day long, but I managed to get to my rental in time for a shower and a change of clothes. As much as I knew Reese loved seeing me in—and out of—a suit, tonight wasn’t about that.

The door swung open, and I presented a delicious-looking Reese with a bouquet of red chrysanthemums. I had money on Reese not knowing they meant I love you, not that I needed flowers to say it for me. Since our mutual declarations, not a day went by when I didn’t tell him more than once how I felt about him.

Reese took the flowers from me and held them out of the way while he stepped into my arms and stole a kiss. “Thank you.”

Morgan told me how happy he’d been about the flowers. It pleased me immensely to be the first one to buy him flowers. The first one to get him on his knees.

“You look amazing,” I told him as he set the flowers on the counter. This time, I’d sprung for an arrangement that came in a vase. He’d had to use an empty pickle jar for the first ones I’d given him.

Reese was dressed in his signature jeans and faded band tee, but he’d slid a few chunky rings on his fingers and he wore some bracelets with beads and leather cord on his wrist. His hair was styled, and my dick throbbed when I saw the dark eyeliner that made his eyes stand out.

“You’re one to talk.” Reese slipped his arms around me and cupped my ass. I’d worn a pair of jeans and a short-sleeved shirt that was the color of Reese’s eyes. “I almost want to stay in and take you out of those clothes.”

“We’ll have time for that later.” I stepped out of his embrace but linked our hands together. “Ready?”

“You still haven’t told me where we’re going.

“That’s part of the fun.”

Reese followed me out of his apartment and down to the ground floor where a car waited outside for us.

I opened the rear door for him, and he smirked at me as he climbed in ahead of me. “You know Ubers exist, right?”

“I’m aware.” Once the car was in motion, I laced our fingers together again.

I wasn’t looking forward to when I had to leave Los Angeles. I’d spent my adult life chasing the next big project, forging a name for myself. I had a small handful of friends, but they’d all paired off and no one wanted to be the third wheel. Even me, who’d spent a lot of time avoiding the very thing I found with Reese.

“Are you going to tell me now where we’re going?”

“Hmm, no, but you can relax. We’re almost there.”

When the car came to a stop, Reese’s eyebrows shot up.

“A hotel?”

“We’re not here for a room, if that’s what you’re thinking.” The car parked at the curb, and I stepped out. When Reese joined me, he still looked skeptical. “Come on. It’s starting soon.”

I followed the signs to the paint and sip event, something Morgan assured me Reese wouldn’t hate, but wouldn’t be good at. Which was fair, because I wasn’t about to excel at painting cherry blossoms either.

Glancing at Reese when we stepped into the room, I saw the corners of his eyes crinkle, then his gaze slid over to mine.

“Painting?”

“And we get to drink wine. A man cannot live on whiskey alone. Although I try. Come on.”

I led us to two empty seats that were side by side. The room was abuzz with conversation as the other participants sat and chatted.

Once we were seated, a woman came around with the wine for the evening. “Tonight’s wine is a rose from Mallory Vineyards. It’s one of their famous bubbly wines.”

She filled our glasses while telling us more about the wine, not that I was able to pay attention to anything but Reese.