All of the Above

by Quinn Anderson

  Not long after, a weight depressed the mattress, and a warm body slotted up against him. Matt buried his face in Brendon’s hair and inhaled, sliding large arms around him. “How do you feel?”

  “Good.” Brendon could barely think through the after-haze clouding his brain. Exhaustion wrapped itself around him, lulling him into what would surely be a deep, peaceful sleep. “Warm. Happy.”

  “I’m happy too.” Matt’s words were muffled by Brendon’s hair, but the next thing he said seemed clear as a summer sky. “I could so easily fall in love with you.”

  Brendon turned his head to look at him, careful not to smack their skulls together. “Really?”

  “Really.” Matt nuzzled his cheek. “Is it too soon to say that?”

  “Maybe.” Brendon’s pulse fluttered. “But if you think about it, we actually went on like four dates today. We just did them all at once. So, technically speaking . . .”

  “. . . This is our fifth date.” Matt huffed a sleepy laugh. “Or sixth, even, depending on how we’re counting. I like that. It explains a lot.”

  Brendon rolled the rest of the way over. He had enough energy left for one more question, and then he was certain sleep would claim him. “Like what?”

  “How right this all feels. I would swear I’ve known you for years, not weeks.” Matt squeezed him. “I should probably stop talking before I freak you out.”

  “I’m not freaking out.”

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  “That’s good.” Matt yawned. “Not trying to rush or anything. I’m just so glad I met you. I was never the sort to believe in fate, but thinking back on how we met and how everything came together at just the right time, I might have to revise my worldview.”

  “Well, as long as it includes wiggle room for both of us to make mistakes, I’ll be happy.”

  “Oh yeah. Especially me. I don’t want you thinking I’m the perfect guy for you ever again.”

  “Trust me, that ship has sailed.”

  Matt frowned. “Has it now? So, you really meant what you said back at the museum? You think I’m judgmental?”

  “Oh yeah. To a fault.”

  His frown softened to something more amused. “And stubborn and hot-tempered?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Good. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Brendon cocked his head to the side. “While we’re talking about flaws, for once and for all, you don’t think I’m a stalker or a liar or a terrible person?”

  “No. Though I also meant what I said at the museum. You’re obsessive and impulsive and shortsighted. But you’re also—” he bit his lip “—I dunno, the word ‘darling’ comes to mind. You’re sweet, and stubborn, and you work your ass off regardless of what you’re doing, and I kinda like how you get carried away when you’re excited.”

  “You mean that?”

  “Of course. I’ve gotta admire your moxie, kid.” Matt affected a fake New York accent, which made it clear that he was kidding. “Your gumption. Your chutzpah. I’m a writer. I have to have a sense of romance.”

  Brendon crinkled his nose. “Very cute, but that’s another thing.” He pointed a finger at him. “You can’t use being a writer as an excuse for everything. Next thing I know, I’ll ask you why you forgot our anniversary, and you’ll say it’s because you’re a writer.”

  Matt’s lips twitched. “Two dates, and you’re already talking about our anniversary.”

  “Well.” Brendon huffed. “They were pretty incredible dates. And we just passed the ultimate compatibility test: how we work together in bed. I’d say we can start taking this relationship seriously.”

  “Agreed. You about ready for sleep?”

  “Definitely. I’m exhausted.”

  Brendon was about to roll over and bury himself in pillows, but Matt’s voice stopped him. “Just one more quick thing, though.”

  “Hm?”

  Matt was smiling coyly. “It might feel like we’ve been on a dozen dates after everything we’ve been through, but there’s still so much I want to know about you.”

  Brendon smiled, eyes already closing. “What do you recommend?”

  “I was thinking—” Matt kissed his shoulder “—we should have another date tomorrow, if you’re free. I hear the ‘third’ date is the big one.”

  “Really?” Brendon grinned. “Why is that?”

  Matt started to answer and then stopped. “You know, I have no idea.”

  “Well, I’m game if you are. I get off class early.”

  “Perfect. What should we do? Dinner? A movie? Run across a beach into each other’s arms and then ride off into the sunset?”

  Brendon laughed, too happy for words. “All of the above.”

  Two Years Later

  Café Luis had gone through a great many changes over the years. A small fire in the kitchen had led to it being closed for two weeks before a festive reopening ceremony was held. The interior had been painted a garish orange color only to be repainted after patrons complained of headaches. And Luis himself had retired, leaving the business in the hands of his daughter, Luisa, whom Brendon had discovered did not take kindly to jokes about her name.

  But it still smelled the same: like garlic and wine and bread. The sound of Spanish guitars could still be heard from a block away. The string lights still came on every night at dusk.

  And it was still Brendon and Matt’s favorite restaurant.

  Which was why, on their two-year anniversary, they found themselves huddled together on the little balcony they’d come to think of as their own, drinking champagne and watching twilight descend on their sleepy town.

  “What a beautiful night,” Matt said as a breezed ruffled his dark hair. He’d traded out his usual sweater and jeans for slacks and a nice button-down. At Brendon’s coaxing, he’d even put on a tie. He looked, in Brendon’s opinion, almost as good as the food they’d just eaten. “Here’s to us. Did you ever think, when we first met, that one day we’d be here?”

  “I like to think I knew it before we even started dating.” Brendon took a sip of champagne, and the lights from nearby houses reflected in the golden liquid. “As far as I’m concerned, I loved you from the moment I read your work.”

  Matt laughed. “There’s a compliment if I ever heard one.” Matt squeezed his side. “I, for one, couldn’t be happier with the way things turned out. It’s been a hell of a ride.”

  “What was your favorite part?”

  “Hm . . . Meeting your parents.”

  Brendon almost dropped his glass. “Yeah, right. That was the most awkward Thanksgiving of my life.”

  “I thought it was fun! Granted, from what I’d heard about Florida, I expected to get eaten by an alligator at any moment, but anywhere that’s eighty degrees in November is all right with me. Plus, your dad’s a riot. His impression of you is uncanny.”

  Brendon grumbled under his breath. “Don’t make me bring up the embarrassing stories your mom told me at Christmas. Let’s see, there was the prom one, and the llama one, and—”

  Matt blanched. “Truce?”

  “Truce.”

  “See, this is why I love you.” Matt gave him a big, wet kiss on his cheek. “You’re always right on my same page. You’re the reason I believe in soul mates.”

  “You never told me that.”

  “Maybe not in so many words, but I’ve told you before I think we came into each other’s lives at just the right time. I don’t think I would have lasted much longer at Extra with my complete lack of fashion sense, but then you waltzed into my life, and now I’m their top writer. And you had no idea what direction you were going in, but with a little bit of support, you graduated and became a fancy-shmancy stylist. It was fate all along. All of this happened precisely how it was supposed to.”

  “Even the fights?”

  “Especially the fights. We got those out of the way early so we knew just what we were in for.” He smiled. “Though I like to think fate
threw a little revenge your way for trying to control it.”

  Brendon shrugged. “Who knows how long we would have waited if I hadn’t taken the lead. Fate might be a powerful force, but it’s too damn slow. I don’t much mind, though. So long as I ended up right here with you.” Brendon nudged him. “You ready to go inside?”

  “Nah. Let’s stay out here a bit longer. The sun’s almost set, and it’s so beautiful. I don’t want to miss it.”

  He was right. No matter how often Brendon saw it, he never got over the sight. The trellis next to the restaurant was crawling with sweet-smelling night-blooming jasmine. The sky was just starting to glimmer with stars, and like a reflection in water, houselights were twinkling on below them.

  They’d had their one-year anniversary here as well, and now it was something of a tradition. Although the company was unexpected.

  Brendon glanced through the window leading back in to the party inside. “You don’t think they’re missing us?”

  “Maybe, but they’re here for us, not the other way around.”

  Most of the guests were Matt’s friends from Extra. Brendon liked them now that he’d gotten to spend some time with them, but they were just as Matt had once described to him. Verbose and academic and always in a rush. In fact, they reminded him of someone . . .

  But of the dozen or so guests, a good number of them were Brendon’s friends from work. Not the mall, but a fashionable boutique, where he got to do makeup and pick out clothes all day long. After all these years of doubt and indecision, he was living the dream.

  Although not all of his friends were new. Sasha and Areesh were seated at a table inside, laughing and feeding little bits of bread to each other. He hadn’t expected them to make it, what with how busy new parents were, but they’d gotten Sasha’s mother watch Aisha for the night.

  Watching them, Brendon was hit with a dose of both delight and envy. I would love to have what they have some day. Marriage. Children. A family.

  Though what he had right now was an excellent alternative.

  “Can you believe how far we’ve come?” He rested his head on Matt’s shoulder.

  “Yeah, but only because I was there. It’s been an amazing two years. Remember Cancun?”

  “Cancun was phenomenal. Best graduation present ever.”

  “Remember way back in the day when I used to send you quiz questions all the time?”

  “Yup. I put a stop to that around the time you asked me what kind of tree I would be. Some things are better left a mystery.”

  “Yeah, that was fair. Besides, I think I managed to learn the most important things about you in the field.”

  “Oh? Like what?”

  Matt kissed the top of his head. “Like how you blink too much when you first wake up, and that Disney movies make you cry, especially when they’re happy, and you will absolutely jump out of the car to move a turtle to the side of the road, but you’ll complain about ruining your shoes the whole time.”

  “I sense that I’m being teased.” Brendon tilted his head to look at him. “You know, not everything I discovered about you was ideal.”

  “Lay it on me.”

  “You don’t know how to balance a checkbook.”

  Matt sniffed. “There’s an app for that.”

  “Uh-huh. And when we first started dating, I wondered how you knew all my favorite restaurants. Turns out you eat out all the time, because you can’t cook literally to save your life.”

  “No.” Matt kissed his cheek. “But I’m great at doing the dishes after you cook.”

  “I suppose that’s true. You’re way neater than I am, which is surprising considering you usually look like you just fell out of your closet.”

  “Insert gay joke here.” Matt gently moved and turned to face him. “All teasing aside, I have a question for you.”

  “Are you going to give me another quiz book?”

  “Damn, I knew I should have gone for that instead of throwing us this party.” He grinned. “But seriously, there’s something I gotta know. You told me years ago that you thought we were soul mates. Do you still think that?”

  Brendon searched his face. “Why are you asking me this?”

  “Because there was a time when I almost let my pride ruin a great thing. I never want that to happen. I want us to be together just like this, for as long as we can.”

  “I want that too. I want to be ninety and still crawling through Café Luis’s window with you to sit out on our balcony. I love you.” Brendon rubbed his nose against Matt’s cheek. “And I’ve always thought we were soul mates. Even when you burned dinner or we argued or I found out you’ve never seen The Goonies.”

  “I still could. We have the rest of our lives.” Matt pulled him close. “I love you too. So much. And that brings me to my next question.” Matt’s expression shifted from mirthful to serious in a blink. “I’ve asked you a lot of questions over the years, and your answers have brought me joy, wonder, frustration, and above all else, certainty that you’re the man I was meant to be with. But now, I’m going to ask you the most important question of all.”

  There was just enough room on the balcony for Matt to get down on one knee.

  Brendon gasped but didn’t speak. Words eluded him as Matt pulled a simple black box out of his pocket and opened it. “Brendon, will you marry me?”

  For a moment, all Brendon could do was stare at the ring. It was white gold, with three small, clear diamonds set in the band. Elegant. Understated. Colorless, but gleaming like moonlight. It was exactly the sort of ring Brendon had always imagined for himself but had never once described to Matt. How had he known?

  Because he’s your soul mate.

  Several things suddenly made sense to Brendon. Matt’s insistence that they have a party with everyone they loved instead of a simple dinner. Areesh and Sasha’s willingness to leave their new baby to be here. The champagne. Watching the sunset. It was . . . perfect.

  Brendon sucked in a breath, willed his heart not to leap out of his chest, and gave the easiest answer he had ever given.

  “Yes.”

  Matt’s face lit up with such profound joy, it rivaled the golden sky. He slipped the ring onto Brendon’s finger, climbed to his feet, and drew him into a fierce kiss.

  After a second, he pulled away and held Brendon at arm’s length. Brendon was shocked to see tears in his eyes. Matt took a breath. “You mean it? You’ll marry me?”

  “Yes, and yes again. It’s funny, years ago, before we even met, I read a proposal idea in a certain magazine, and I thought ‘That’s it. That’s how I want to be proposed to.’ But you know what? I think this is even better. It’s us.”

  Matt swept Brendon into his arms and held him like he never wanted to let him go. And Brendon would have been happy to stand there with Matt forever.

  The rest of the night was a blur. There was a lot of champagne, many congratulations, and Sasha and Areesh were over the moon.

  “We knew all along, of course,” Areesh whispered to him later. “He didn’t ask for our permission, per se, but I’m sure he knew he needed our approval first.”

  “You’re going to love married life, beta,” Sasha teased. “Maybe someday soon Aisha will have a playmate.”

  “One thing at a time,” Matt said. It missed no one’s notice that he didn’t say no. The knowing wink Sasha tossed his way told him that, though later all he would remember was the loving look on Matt’s handsome face.

  And every time he turned around, Matt was right there beside him. Just as he always would be.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading Quinn Anderson’s All of the Above!

  We know your time is precious and you have many, many entertainment options, so it means a lot that you’ve chosen to spend your time reading. We really hope you enjoyed it.

  We’d be honored if you’d consider posting a review—good or bad—on sites like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Goodreads, Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, and your blog or web
site. We’d also be honored if you told your friends and family about this book. Word of mouth is a book’s lifeblood!

  For more information on upcoming releases, author interviews, blog tours, contests, giveaways, and more, please sign up for our weekly, spam-free newsletter and visit us around the web:

  Newsletter: tinyurl.com/RiptideSignup

  Twitter: twitter.com/RiptideBooks

  Facebook: facebook.com/RiptidePublishing

  Goodreads: tinyurl.com/RiptideOnGoodreads

  Tumblr: riptidepublishing.tumblr.com

  Thank you so much for Reading the Rainbow!

  RiptidePublishing.com

  Murmur, Inc. series

  Hotline

  Action

  Cam Boy

  The Other Five Percent

  Quinn Anderson is an alumna of the University of Dublin in Ireland and has a master’s degree in psychology. She wrote her dissertation on sexuality in popular literature and continues to explore evolving themes in erotica in her professional life.

  A nerd extraordinaire, she was raised on an unhealthy diet of video games, anime, pop culture, and comics from infancy. Her girlfriend swears her sense of humor is just one big Buffy reference. She stays true to her nerd roots in writing and in life, and frequently draws inspiration from her many fandoms, which include Yuri on Ice, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Buffy, and more. Growing up, while most of her friends were fighting evil by moonlight, Anderson was kamehameha-ing her way through all the shounen anime she could get her hands on. You will often find her interacting with fellow fans online and offline via conventions and Tumblr, and she is happy to talk about anything from nerd life to writing tips. She has attended conventions on three separate continents and now considers herself a career geek. She advises anyone who attends pop culture events in the UK to watch out for Weeping Angels, as they are everywhere. If you’re at an event, and you see a 6’2” redhead wandering around with a vague look on her face, that’s probably her.

  Her favorite authors include J.K. Rowling, Gail Carson Levine, Libba Bray, and Tamora Pierce. When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling, cooking, spending too much time on the internet, playing fetch with her cat, screwing the rules, watching Markiplier play games she’s too scared to play herself, and catching ’em all.