Page 67 of Ethan

"I think so. The way he holds me, Mom … I know I'm precious to him."

"Is this his first relationship with a man?"

"It is, but it doesn't seem like it. He's so comfortable with us being us."

"Still concerns me. How do you know he's not experimenting with you?"

I exhaled hard. She didn't understand. What Daniel and I were cultivating went beyond any kind of experimentation. We'd meshed. Strands of our souls were already seeking ways to weave themselves into beautiful patterns of joy and commitment.

"I trust him, Mom."

"When will we meet him?"

"Give us some more time. He's meeting Liam and Owen this weekend. I don't want to overload him with introductions to people who might end up grilling him."

"You want to keep him to yourself still?" We finished up with Phantom, gave him a hearty pat on the neck, stepped into the alleyway, and walked toward the house. I was staying for dinner.

"What we have is so perfect. I want to protect the bond we're creating."

"You know your sisters are going to tease you about having a Zaddy."

I laughed. "How do you even know that word?"

"I keep up." She patted my shoulder. "Let's go break the news to your dad."

"He's going to roll his eyes at me."

My mom chuckled. "You're always surprising us. And we love you for it."

I slung my arm around her shoulder and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, Mom. Love you too."

We walked arm in arm to the house. I helped prepare dinner. And I was right. My dad rolled his eyes and muttered a Jeezus, Ethan. Then smiled at me and laughed.

I was blessed to have my parents.

Daniel never mentioned his, other than his mom had dementia and was in care. He never talked about his dad. Avoided the subject. I sensed there was a story there he didn't want to tell me. The trust wasn't a complete two-way street yet.

That concerned me.

Chapter Twelve | Daniel

Ethan wove his fingers with mine as we approached the gay bar I knew existed but had never ventured anywhere near. Loud pop music pumped through the doorway. The atmosphere as we stepped inside was energetic; many people dressed in rainbow colours. Pride was in full swing with LGBTQ+ flags everywhere. The bar was dimly lit and cozy. Not too big; all wood beams and railings, and a bar front-and-centre. It was a surprisingly comfortable feeling to be there.

Ethan squeezed my hand.

"Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

Ethan nudged me and waved at two men on the far side of the space. He guided me across the room, weaving through servers being run off their feet.

The two men stood, their expressions ones of joy. These men loved Ethan. It was evident in the way they launched into laughing and hugging one another.

Ethan tugged on my arm. "Daniel, this is Liam."

"Liam." I shook his hand. He was even more stunning than Ethan had described. He was wearing a pink tank top that showed off his muscular tanned shoulders and firm biceps. Perfect pecs from what I could see. Sexy and gorgeous, with perfectly arranged features, and startling blue eyes, his blond hair cascading to the base of his elegant neck.

Wow.

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