Page 121 of Cherry on Top

Enzo had scooped ice cream too, even though he’d never done it before.

He’d been exactly what Will had needed, when he hadn’t even realized he needed it.

“I’d say it was nothing, but it was hard work. Still, I was happy to do it.” Enzo dropped his voice, and love was shining so unmistakably in his brown eyes. “For you. I love you, and this is part of you, so I love it, too.”

“Really?” Will didn’t even think he loved it, right now. He was so exhausted he didn’t think he could make another sundae or milkshake or scoop another cone, not even if someone wanted to pay him a million bucks for it.

“Really.” Enzo paused. “But maybe it’s time to hire some extra help. I think you’re a hit, Stud Muffin.”

“Honey Bunny, I think you might be right.” Will grinned. “But that’s a problem for tomorrow. Tonight . . .”

“Yeah? I think we gotta get clean, first,” Enzo asked, and even though his eyes were drooping, he still looked hopeful, like Will might press him against the cold tile in the shower and leave him panting with pleasure.

And Will? He’d do it, too. Use the very last of his energy to lavish it on the man he loved.

“Anything for you,” Will said and meant it. “Let’s go home.”

Epilogue

A year later

Enzo was halfway up the scaffolding, the early breeze coming off the coast of Oregon ruffling his hair, when his phone rang.

“Hey, Mom,” he said, answering without hesitating.

There’d been a time when he’d have put it off. Let her call go to voicemail. Call her back days—maybe even a week—later. Until his guilt was so overwhelming he couldn’t do anything else but listen to it.

He’d become semi-permanently tied to that uncomfortable feeling that pressed up against his breastbone.

But no longer.

Now, she called and he answered, gladly, actually excited to talk to his mom, again.

“Enzo! I’m so glad I caught you. You aren’t working, are you?”

The re-establishment of their relationship hadn’t just been about healthier boundaries—but about mutual respect.

He’d learn to respect more what she’d sacrificed, and she’d learned how to respect his choices. It hadn’t been immediate, a flip of the switch, but a developing process. They’d both had to grow. Had to learn.

“Nope, not quite yet. You caught me right before I went up.”

“The pictures you sent me yesterday were gorgeous. And Will showed me a bunch more when I stopped by to pick up some ice cream for Joy and me.”

“How’s that going?” Enzo asked. He knew that a week ago, Giana had finally moved in with Joy, to the apartment she had in the Inn.

“The place is small but . . .” Giana paused, and Enzo heard a hundred emotions in that pause. Happiness and joy and frustration and angst at the inevitable change.

“I bet it is,” Enzo said. “I couldn’t believe it when it felt like my apartment was too small for us.”

“It was too small. It barely had a kitchen, which was fine for you, but for Will . . .”

“Yeah,” Enzo agreed.

“But no, it’s good. We’ve both lived on our own for so long it is a bit of an adjustment to have someone underfoot. But in the end, it’s good to have someone to share a life with, now.”

“I’m really glad for you, Mom.”

“And now the house is empty. I had it cleaned. You and Will can move in next week when you come home.”

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