Page 35 of Joey

Ethan smiled and nodded. “As one.”

Joey and Ethan exited the cemetery to a gentle hum of conversation until the reporters saw them, and then they were bombarded by flashes and questions and swarmed. Luckily, the security company had left a couple of guards for them, and they helped clear a path to Ethan’s car.

“Is Ethan your boyfriend?”

“Are you moving in together?”

“Are you leaving London?”

“What would Elliott think of your relationship?”

Joey sighed, knowing he would eventually have to make a statement about what happened but refusing to do so that day. They could wait a little longer. He climbed into Ethan’s car and slammed the door on the questions. He nodded and smiled at the guard, and then Ethan drove away.

“You’ll have to direct me, I’m afraid. I don’t know London at all,” Ethan said with a soft chuckle.

“It can be confusing, but I will tell you where to go.” He explained the next couple of turns and then said, “When did you get here?”

Ethan’s nose crinkled. “About an hour before I found you. I got stuck in traffic; otherwise, I would’ve been here a couple of hours before.”

“That’s the joy of motorways, isn’t it?” Joey chuckled. “Thank you.”

Ethan smiled across at him but didn’t say anything, and Joey transferred his attention to directing him. When they made it to Life in Ink and parked behind the shop, Joey was exhausted. Now that everything was done, he could barely get his body to move. Ethan helped him from the car and up the stairs, and Joey unlocked the door and locked it behind them again. Within seconds, Joelle twined through his legs, and he braced himself, as always, so he didn’t fall over.

“And this must be Joelle,” Ethan murmured, crouching low and holding out his hand for Joelle to bump her head against. She could be stubborn sometimes, but she easily transferred her attention to Ethan once she was satisfied he meant no harm to her.

Joey slipped into the kitchen to replenish her water and food and felt the moment Ethan joined him, even though his back was to the entrance. When he turned, Ethan leaned against the counter with his arms crossed and a small smile playing across his face.

“What?” Joey asked.

“I missed you.”

Joey placed the bowls on the floor and stepped closer to Ethan. “I missed you, too.”

Ethan slipped his arms around Joey’s waist and stared at him, his hazel eyes taking on an indecipherable sheen. Joey skimmed his fingertips across Ethan’s cheekbones and down his jaw, following them with his gaze, reacquainting himself with the man who had come to mean so much to him in such a short time.

“How did we get here?” he murmured.

Ethan didn’t pretend he didn’t know what Joey was asking. “Fate. Destiny. Serendipity. There are so many names to call it. And as much as I hate what you’ve been through, it brought you to me. I wouldn’t wish what happened to anyone, and I wish with everything inside me Elliott was still here, but I don’t know if we would’ve met had this not happened.”

Joey understood what his meaning was and didn’t get upset. “As my mother always says, I wouldn’t be where I am today without going through what I’ve been through.”

“Smart woman.” Ethan pecked a kiss on his lips. “Come on. Time for food and a nap.”

Ethan pulled away and went to the fridge, dragging some items from it. Joey didn’t interrupt, allowing Ethan to look after him like Joey knew he wanted. Ethan made a ham salad sandwich, cut it into two and placed it on a plate, pausing to rub his finger against the dent in the corner of the counter, his lips curving. He poured two small glasses of apple juice and handed one to Joey before carrying the plate and the second glass to the sofa. Joey followed and settled into a cushion. Ethan passed him the plate and took his drink from him.

“Eat. Then we can nap.” Ethan stifled a yawn and laughed. “Even thinking about a nap is making me tired.”

“I’m not surprised. You’ve been driving for hours.” Joey took a bite and groaned. Having not eaten anything that day, it was the best-tasting food he’d ever eaten.

Ethan waved him off. “It’s only six hours normally. But yes, I didn’t sleep at all last night, so I’m flagging now.”

Joey finished his sandwich quickly, wanting to get Ethan into bed—in the non-sexual way—before they both collapsed from exhaustion. Joey took the plate and glasses to the kitchen and led the way to his bedroom.

“Do you want to freshen up?”

Ethan groaned. “Yes, please.”

Joey chuckled and pointed to the en suite. “Have at it.”

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