Page 115 of Cherry on Top

“They’re happy. She’s happy. You know what? That’s all that matters.” Enzo paused. “What did your mom say to you when you came out to her? Did she think you were a different kind of person?”

Oliver let out a sharp sigh. “No. No, she didn’t. Which you know.”

“I do. Joy’s a great mom. A great person. And she deserves to be happy. However that happens.”

“I know you’re right,” Oliver said with a sigh. “This is a me thing. I’ll adjust, and I’m sure in a few months it’ll be like they’ve always been together.”

“You think they’re serious?”

Oliver shot him a look. “Do you think they’re not serious?”

“Point taken,” Enzo said wryly.

“Exactly. At least I won’t be the only one around to witness it,” Oliver teased. “You’re gonna be around a lot more, enjoying your own relationship.”

“That’s the plan.”

Oliver reached over and gave him a quick hug. “Well, if I had to be a stepbrother with anyone, I’m happy it’s you,” he said.

And that wasn’t something that Enzo had ever thought he’d hear, but he realized he agreed.

“Yeah. Me too.”

Oliver smiled. “That settles it then. I . . .” He trailed off as he stood. “I’m glad I came. Luca said it would make me feel better talking to you, and I thought he was full of shit, but I’m happy that I was wrong.”

“And he will be too. Happy enough he probably won’t even say I told you so,” Enzo pointed out.

“Probably,” Oliver said, smiling now. “Well. Thanks for listening to me rant.”

“Anytime.”

A minute later, the front door was closing behind him, and almost immediately, the bedroom door opened and Will walked out, wearing only a pair of navy blue boxer briefs. “He okay?” Will asked, putting his arms around Enzo and tugging him close.

“Yeah,” Enzo said. “Or he will be. It’s a bigger adjustment for him. He knew his dad.”

“Right.” Will looked like he wanted to say something else, but then he smiled, slowly. “You wanna come to bed?”

Enzo didn’t need to have it suggested even twice.

“Yes,” he said and lifted his head to kiss Will’s mouth.

Chapter Nineteen

“It’s really coming along,” Will said, shading his eyes as he looked up at Enzo’s figure, perched on the highest corner of the scaffolding.

Enzo had a cap on, turned backwards, the edges of a maroon bandana peeking out from under it. He’d lost his shirt sometime in the first few hours of work, the tail of it tucked into the back of his paint-stained shorts.

“Yeah, it really is,” Enzo said, leaning back a fraction and taking in the semi-finished mural. He was working on the fine details now, the white crests of the waves and the surprisingly evocative expression on Nathaniel’s face, even buried under his thick beard, as he hung onto a loose spar, desperately trying not to be sucked under the swells.

“Come take a break,” Will called up again. “I’ve got water and some food.”

“I can take a few minutes,” Enzo said, wiping his face and beginning to climb down. “But Joy just told me they were hoping to do a little ceremony during the Fourth of July festivities. I’d like to be almost done by then.”

“Will you be ready for that?” Will wondered. From his perspective, he thought the mural was probably almost done. But every time he said so, Enzo would roll his eyes and list off a dozen or so things he still needed to work on.

“I think so,” Enzo said. “At least the bulk of it will be ready anyway. Joy and Mom are already talking about having a big-deal dedication during the Sweethearts Festival next year. I’ll have to make sure I’m around for that. But for this, yeah, I think so.”

He leaned against Will, tilting his head for a kiss, which Will was happy to give him. He didn’t mind he was damp and sweaty. Frankly he’d have pressed him to the wall he’d just finished painting and kissed him thoroughly, if they’d had time. But Enzo had only said he had a few minutes, and his priority had to be to get some water and some food into him.

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