by Shawn Lane
“I moved in to help you, Gran.”
“I know, Winnie.” She squeezed his hands again. “But I don’t need help. I’m fine without it. I’ve got Molly here and other friends. I’ll keep up my doctor’s visits. I use the senior center for rides so it’s not like I’m driving. I know you want to watch over me, but I’m fine.”
Win hugged her tight. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“I don’t want to lose you either. Everyone dies, though. Me, too, eventually. But just because you move doesn’t mean we’ll lose each other.”
“What if he doesn’t feel the same?”
She laughed. “Now you’re being silly. Of course he does.” She pulled out of his arms. “I’ll send him in here.”
“Gran.”
But she ignored him and walked out of the kitchen.
Win started to panic. He couldn’t have this conversation in the open kitchen where Gran and Molly would hear. Not to mention, was he even prepared for this? And despite what Gran said, maybe Randy was happy to end things now. While things were still good between them or something.
Before he could find anywhere else to be though, Randy was there. He walked into the kitchen looking vaguely puzzled.
“Emma said you needed to talk to me. We needed to talk.”
“Uh, yeah. It can probably wait.”
Randy shook his head. “She said they weren’t coming back until we worked this out.”
He frowned. “Where’d they go?”
“To Grandma’s. Said to come get them when we were finished. What are we supposed to be working out, Win?”
“I…well. The thing is, three years ago, the time wasn’t right for us.” Great, he was totally rambling. He turned his back on Randy and started chopping vegetables.
“Yes?”
“You were leaving, probably weren’t really ready to get involved in anything serious even if you weren’t going to New York.”
Randy stood close to him now. “That’s true.”
“And I was just starting to become braver about the kind of guy I really was attracted to. Someone not like me, but like you.”
“Where is this all leading, Win?” Randy asked.
Win put down the knife, but he didn’t turn around yet. “We were just kind of passing each other then.”
“Like ships in the night?”
He laughed at that. It was a little silly. He turned to look at Randy, who was staring rather intently at him. Made him almost lose his nerve.
“So, I was thinking. Maybe this time is the right time.”
“You’re saying…what exactly?”
It figured Randy wouldn’t make it easy and read his mind.
“Gran told me I should think about moving to Vegas with you. Maybe.”
“What?” Randy’s eyes widened.
His heart sinking, Win shook his head. “Or not. I don’t have to if you think—”
Randy kissed him silent, a long lingering passionate kiss that left Win breathless and aching for more.
“Anyone ever tell you that you suck at this?” Randy asked. But he was smiling and his eyes were alight with happiness. Win knew that had to be a very good sign.
He nodded. “Yeah, a time or two I’ve been told that. But never by anyone as cute as you.”
Randy laughed and kissed him again. “You’re really going to come to Vegas?”
“If you’ll have me. I mean, I can get my own place at first or whatever.”
“No. If you come with me you’re coming with me all the way. Setting up domestication and all that bullshit.”
Win grinned, unable to believe this was real. “So, then maybe this time we will get it right.
Randy smiled and looped his arms around Win’s neck. “No ‘maybes’ about it.”
THE END
ABOUT SHAWN LANE
Shawn Lane is a multi-published author of gay romances and believes love and passion know no boundaries. Happily Ever After is for everyone.
She has been published by Loose Id, Ellora's Cave, Amber Quill Press, Dreamspinner Press, and Evernight Publishing.
Shawn lives in California and holds down a boring day job in a legal department of a giant corporation dreaming of the nights and weekends when she can create new stories.
For more information, visit smlgr8.blogspot.com.
ABOUT JMS BOOKS LLC
JMS Books LLC is a small queer press with competitive royalty rates publishing LGBT romance, erotic romance, and young adult fiction. Visit jms-books.com for our latest releases and submission guidelines!