In what was probably the thousandth occurrence over the past year, time folded in upon itself. I looked around my old bedroom in the Bryant house, and almost felt like I was in high school again. Like Gilbert would be home any minute, and we’d fall asleep shooting the shit on either side of the room. Only now, there was one bed, and the desk was covered in superhero drawings instead of my designs.

“You sure you don’t mind me staying here while the renovations happen?”

I placed the drawing I’d been holding back on his desk and sat beside Moses on the bed, making sure to leave enough space that it wouldn’t become uncomfortable. “Of course not. I think you’ll enjoy living with Regina and Patrick for a few weeks. Plus, Mom’s going to feel like she’s in hog heaven having one of her boys under her roof for a while. You’ll gain about thirty pounds, which wouldn’t be a bad thing.”

He’d lost weight in his time away. It was the first thing I’d noticed when I saw him the day before. I’d been tempted to ask about what he’d been through with his parents, but I didn’t feel like I should push. I didn’t see any bruises, so that was a good sign.

Even though it had been twenty-four hours, I still couldn’t quite wrap my head around the fact he was actually back. That once again, Micah had been right. Things really would work out. Part of me had been tempted to move back into the apartment above Lavender Ink so things would go back to normal. I wasn’t sure if it was selfish or not, but I wasn’t going to put that strain on Micah and me. We weren’t taking a step back.

I leveled my gaze on Moses. “I want to make clear that nothing will make me happier than you living with Micah and me, but if you decide that you aren’t comfortable with it, and you’d rather stay here, even if we’re done renovating your room, you just say the word.”

He chewed his lip, then shrugged. “I want to be with you. I just need to get used to it first.”

I wasn’t about to argue with that. I wasn’t about to argue with anything.

It was taking all my willpower not to pepper Moses with a billion questions, about his time away, about how he was really feeling about Micah and me, about how he was feeling about being gay, about a billion things. I had to bite my tongue to keep from spewing it all forth. I knew enough to know that I needed to go slowly.

“I was thinking, instead of painting your room a color, once it’s ready, we could just leave it blank and you can have a free canvas, fill the entire thing with superheroes or—” I shrugged. “—whatever.”

His eyes widened, and a smile grew. “That would be awesome.” He looked nervous again. “But I’ve only got one more year left in school. I don’t want to ruin your room.”

“Moses, it won’t matter if you’re there only till the end of your senior year or if you decide you want to stay for the next several years and go to college, whatever you want.” I gestured around the room. “Gilbert and I haven’t lived in this room in forever, and it’s exactly the same as when we left. All of our rooms are. Mom and Dad have made it clear that there is always a place for us, no matter what happens. That’ll be true for you in Micah and my house. That room will always be yours.”

He smiled nervously, and his eyes glistened, but he didn’t respond.

The tension grew between us, more uncomfortable than anything. It was going to take us a while to fall back in sync. I was fine. He could have all the time he needed, just as long as he was back. I told him how much I loved him yesterday, and how glad I was he was back. It was taking all my willpower not to simply repeat that on an endless loop. Though I was certain he could see it in my eyes every time he looked at me. Instead, I gave him a quick smack on his knee and stood. “Well, I should probably let you get some rest. Call me whenever you want. For anything.” I decided to push a little. “We can always do a movie marathon, even before your room is ready.”

“I will.” He offered me another of his nervous smiles as I turned to walk out his bedroom door. “Connor?”

I hesitated, making sure my emotions were in check. “Yeah?” I looked back at him, pausing in the doorway.

“Would Saturday work? Maybe start with Wonder Woman?”

Damn, he was trying to bring me to my knees. I nodded and couldn’t suppress what was probably a ridiculous grin. “You know it.”

When he called my name again, I was already out of his room, and I poked my head back in. “Micah can join too, if he wants.”

We really were going to be fine after all. “Thanks. I’ll ask him.”

I stopped by the Green Violin. I needed to see Micah. Just to be near him. Everything was turning out better than I could’ve imagined, but I felt raw and on edge. Micah always seemed to take that feeling away.

As I stepped into the shop, I halted, instantly realizing it had been a mistake. Seth was leaning on the counter, talking to Micah. Stupid or not, jealousy ripped through me. I knew I should turn around and leave before I said something I’d regret, but I couldn’t. Instead, I strode toward them, ready to rip the pretty boy’s head off.

Micah noticed me first and looked up over Seth’s shoulder, his smile fading to an expression of concern. Who knew what I looked like in that moment.

Seth turned and smiled when he saw me. “Hey. I’m glad you’re here. I was just dropping off a bottle of wine to congratulate you two. White, of course.”

I halted, having to replay Seth’s words as they’d been muffled by the furious pounding of blood in my ears. He was dropping off wine. To congratulate us. I glanced at the counter. Sure enough, a bottle with a purple ribbon sat between them.

Maybe he was trying to get Micah drunk and take advantage of him.

Seth laughed. “I wish you could see your face right now, you big idiot. I’m not here to steal your man. I was the one to tell you to pull your head out of your ass, if you recall.”

Oh, right. I had forgotten that. I shook myself. “Sorry. You’re right. Things are just a little all over the place right now.”

“Whatever. No big deal.” Seth shrugged it off. “Besides, I’ve got my pride.” He motioned his thumb over his shoulder at Micah. “Even if this one comes to his senses and realizes I’m the better man, this ship has sailed. My playground is closed for business. My Italian stallion is back in the stable. The tickets for this ride are—”

“Oh my God, stop!” Micah leaned across the counter and swatted at Seth’s back.

“What?” Seth winked. “Don’t act like you’ll ever get over my personal thunder from down under.”

I laughed, despite myself, and cast a wink at Micah. “You know, if this is the type of shmuck that was my competition, maybe I shouldn’t have been as jealous as I was all these years.”

“Rude!” Seth swiped the wine off the counter. “I’m taking back my congratulatory present.” He walked over toward the wall of crates and snagged a couple of large eggplants. “And these as well.”

I snagged the wine out of his arms. “Take all the produce you want. But I could sure use some wine.”

Seth rolled his eyes. “Please. Like you can identify wine from horse piss. Micah is the one with an elevated palate.”

“Good point.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “I thought you said the present was for both of us. Shouldn’t there be a bottle of beer at least for me?”

Ignoring me, he looked back at Micah. “Your taste in wine is superb, can’t say the same for your choice in men.” Seth grabbed another eggplant. “I actually am taking these. Thank you. And I’ll leave you two alone now.” He walked past and patted me on the shoulder, though he didn’t pause. “Come see me at the bar sometime. I miss my friend.”

I stared after him, all jealousy truly fading. “I’ll do that.”

Micah called out before Seth got to the door. “I’ll send him with a bill for the eggplants.”

Without looking back, Seth flipped the bird with his free hand and left the shop.

Micah didn’t waste a second. “You really were jealous.” He walked around the counter, heading toward me. “You actually had me worried for a second that I might need to tell Seth to run.”

“Well. Now you’re mine, I’m going to make sure you stay that way.”

He lifted the wine bottle from my hands and gave me a quick kiss. “Like you have to worry about that.”

I didn’t think it would ever make sense that someone like Micah would love someone like me. But I suppose that was the story of my life. After all these years, it still amazed me how much love I had been given. Moses returning home and being wrapped in my family’s arms was only more overwhelming proof.

I followed Micah to the counter as he set down the wine, and then turned him gently around to face me. “How can I thank you for never giving up on me? For hanging in there when I kept pushing you away.”

The smile he gave was almost sad. “You don’t have to thank me. I don’t think I ever had a choice. If it couldn’t be you, then it wouldn’t be anyone.”

Though it had taken me way too long to admit it, at least that I understood. I felt the exact same way about him. “I love you.”

“I know. I’ve always known. It just took you long enough to pull your head out of your ass, like Seth said. I didn’t realize that conversation ever happened.” Whatever sadness there had been left his smile, the teasing joy that was better suited to Micah returning. “I think I’m the one who owes Seth a bottle of wine.” He ran his hand over my chest and then slowly down my stomach. “You know, if you really wanted to start trying to thank me in adequate ways, you could begin by locking the door.”

“Locking the door?” No sooner had the words left my lips than I realized what he meant, and I felt a smile of my own attempt to match his. “Oh. Yes. Yes, that I can do.” I pulled away from him and headed to the door.

“While you’re there, pull down the shades. We broke in Ms. Westfield’s desk, and your tattoo chair. I think it’s high time my shop gets the same treatment.” He smacked the butcher-block counter. By the time the door was locked and the shades were pulled, Micah was yanking off his shirt.

“What would the health inspector think?” I returned to him, unbuckling my belt as I walked. “Pretty sure us fucking on the countertop would be a health code violation.”

“I won’t tell if you don’t.” He laughed again, his smile changing from sultry to mischievous once more. “Actually, I’ll wait until Adrian comes in tomorrow morning. I’ll mention it in passing. He’ll probably bleach the whole place.”