Epilogue
Adrian
November
“Yo, Adrian! You about ready?”
I rolled my eyes at Bishop. No matter how much I grumbled at him, he was never going to stop.
“That still sounds ridiculous with your Texas twang.”
“DILLIGAF?”
“Yeah, whatever. Yes, I’m ready. Are you?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
“Hey, man. Don’t be nervous. Cody’s totally in love with you. There’s no way he’s going to say no.”
“You don’t think it’s too soon?”
“Me personally? No. But that’s me. Did his parents ever warm up to you?”
“If that’s your way of asking if they’ll be at the party tonight, the answer is yes. They’re so-so about us, but Cody keeps telling me he doesn’t care. They’re not going to tell him who he can and can’t date.”
“Well, it’s better than some kids. Mine were great when I came out, and I know I’m so fuckin’ lucky because of it.”
I logged off my computer, and after I pulled on my coat, I followed Bishop out of the office. I had last-minute jitters and a couple of things to take care of before the party tonight. Bishop was tagging along since his SUV was in the shop for brake work.
“Did you make the reservations?”
“Yes, Mother. I swear, you’re acting like I don’t know how to plan a surprise birthday party for my own boyfriend.” I walked through the door of the office building and out into the cold November air. There was snow on the ground, but that was the norm for November where we lived.
“I still think it’s kinda ookie that you both have a November first birthday.”
“It’s probably a little odd, yes, but I’m sure that somewhere in the history of all past relationships, there has to have been a couple that shared a birthday. There just has to.”
“Point. Okay, smartass, what’s first?”
“Hawke’s bringing cupcakes, the reservations are made, and Emme said Denver snuck over to Cody’s place earlier and left the letter.”
“Did you get his present?”
I stopped and glared at Bishop. When he finally turned to look at me, I gave him a “well, duh” look.
“Okay, stupid question. So what is it that we’re doing?”
“I have to pick up flowers. Emme said even though Cody is a guy, he’s always stopping and smelling the flowers that are at the tables at the resort. I’ve ordered flowers, so first stop is the flower shop. Then the mechanic so you can pick up your SUV.”
Bishop nodded and we both climbed into my own SUV. It was cold out, and I hit the seat warmer just as soon as the car was started.
We stopped at the flower shop and picked up Cody’s roses, and then I took Bishop to the dealership so he could pick up his SUV. When we pulled in, I stopped him before he could get out.
“You really think he’ll say yes?”
“I do. Why wouldn’t he? You need to relax and let things be. They’ll happen exactly as they’re meant to.”
“Thanks. I’m just nervous. I mean, this is a big step, right? Especially since we’ve only been dating four months.”
“Don’t worry about it. Now, I’ll see you tonight at seven, right? You two are having dinner at six?”
“Yes. See you then.”
Bishop closed the door and walked into the service entrance to retrieve his own vehicle. Once he was out of sight, I backed out of my spot and drove home. Once I was there, I carefully carried in the roses and set them on the middle of the pool table. We really needed better options, but it was the counter, the island, the pool table, or the ottoman. We’d made lots of memories on each surface over the past couple of months, but the pool table was the most visible location, so it won.
After that, I showered, shaved, and tried to calm my nerves. I pulled on my blue shirt, the same one I’d worn when Cody unknowingly agreed to go out on a blind date with me, and tucked it into my jeans. Next were my socks and boots, and then it was time to go. I checked my phone one last time, and after I put on my coat, I grabbed a single long-stemmed rose out of the vase before leaving. I had plenty of time to get there, but I wanted to be early.
When I pulled up in front of the restaurant, I found a parking spot and got out. I made a dash for the door but was greeted by warmth and a smiling hostess.
“Good evening. Just you tonight?”
“No. I’m meeting my boyfriend, but he’s not here quite yet. Last name is Fisher.”
“Yep, I have a booth in the back with a mountain view and the back room in an hour. Is that correct?”
“Yes. We’re being joined by our friends and family a little later.”
“Very good. If you’ll follow me.”
I walked behind the hostess, and as we got closer to the booth, I saw Cody standing beside it. What the…he wasn’t supposed to be here yet.
“Here you go. Enjoy your dinner, you two.”
I looked between the retreating hostess and Cody, wondering what was going on.
“So I got this letter that said I should meet AJ at seven for a blind date. But I gotta tell you, I’m sorry, man, I’m taken. I mean, don’t get me wrong, you’re good-looking and all, but Adrian is hotter.”
I chuckled at Cody’s antics before his lips met mine in a chaste kiss. We were in the middle of a restaurant after all.
“You weren’t supposed to be here this early.”
“Nope, probably not. Just like I wasn’t supposed to know about the party in an hour either, was I?”
My heart sank. If Cody knew about the party, the surprise would be gone. Damn. I’d really wanted to make tonight special for him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I said as I started to sit down, only Cody’s hand on my elbow stopped me. “What?”
“Come here.” Cody tugged on my arm, pulling me to the back room where we would be having a not so surprise party in an hour. Oh well, it’s the thought that counts, right?
“Surprise!” everyone shouted as we stepped through the doors. Cody wrapped his arm around my waist, smiling at the crazy grin on my face. Damn. He’d somehow managed to outdo me. All of our closest friends were there, smiling at the two of us.
“Happy birthday, Adrian. Tell me your one birthday wish so I can try to make it come true.”
“The only thing I want for my birthday, baby, is for you to say you’ll move in with me. I’m tired of spending a night or two with you tangled up with me only to have you gone the next night. I don’t sleep those nights, and your place is too damn small. Not to mention so is your bed. So that’s what I want. You, me, my cabin to become ours.”
“Done.”
“Done?”
“Yeah, silly. Why would you think I’d say no? I love you and have been waiting for you to ask.”
“You’re shitting me.”
“Nope. Now, what do you say we have ourselves a birthday dinner with our family?”
I looked away from Cody’s smiling face and looked at our friends. Yeah, they were so much more than that. They were family. The best kind.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea. I love you, baby.”
“Love you, too.”
I turned and smiled at our family as they surrounded us. I had my love by my side, and we were working on making a forever together. What more could I ask for?
The End