Page 57 of Twink Heart

?“Well, I had to call up and friend and ask some advice.”

?“Adam?”

?“Mm-hmm. And he gave it to me straight. Or well… gay I guess. I don’t think Adam could do anything straight.”

?That made me smile.

?“He told me I should be honest with you.”

?I looked up at him, preparing myself for what I was about to hear. “And what’s the truth you need to tell me?”

?Rowan took a deep breath before leaning down and pressing his lips to mine. He kissed me long and deep, his tongue swirling around mine with a passionate sweetness that I’d never felt before. When he finally pulled away and began to speak, I already knew what he was going to say. His kiss had told me everything.

?“I love you, James,” he said breathlessly. “I know it’s fast and maybe I shouldn’t feel this way already, but–”

?I placed a finger on his lips, silencing him.

?“I love you too, Rowan.”

?“Really?”

?“Of course I do!” I couldn’t help but laugh. “I think I have for a while. But I didn’t want to say something and cause you to run off. I know how difficult this entire transition has been for you and you’re still working through your breakup too. I know you’ve been feeling much better this past week, but I didn’t want to tempt fate.” I reached out, cupping his face in my hands. “I decided that if it was meant to be, you’d be the one to tell me first. The last thing I wanted to do was seem like I was using your recent tragedy to manipulate you.”

?He seemed to melt in my hands, his fingers digging into my lower back as he pulled me closer. “I thought you’d think I was stupid for saying it. Or childish.”

?“Not at all. It’s fast, you’re right, but what’s the point of waiting around to be happy?” I pulled him into another long kiss. “I’d love to stay by your side as long as you’ll have me.”

?“That might be a really long time,” Rowan replied with a smile. “I hope you’re ready for that.”

?I nodded. “I am.”

?“Can we start now?”

?“We already have.”

?I stayed there in his lap, the pair of use exchanging kisses in the cool breeze. The world around us seemed to brighten, filling in all the dark corners and gaps with a plethora of love that neither of us knew we could feel. When we finally pulled apart, Rowan took out his phone and handed it to me.

?“Will you take a picture of us together?” he asked, blushing as he held me tight. “I… I want to remember this moment forever. And I want to tell people about my new… boyfriend.”

?“Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

?He nodded.

?“Alright,” I smiled, holding the phone out to capture us both. “Say cheese!”

?The phone chimed in my hand and the screen flashed, a perfect picture appearing on the screen of myself in the arms of the man I loved. That one beautiful moment captured forever that we could always look back to and see how desperately in love we were.

?“I guess I should probably update my relationship status,” I said, handing his phone back to him. “And delete my dating apps. I’m not gonna need those again. Also, you better get ready for all the questions you’re gonna get. If anyone is an ass, just let me know. I’ll take them out.”

?Rowan just smiled, kissing me again. “I really am the luckiest man in the world.”

?“I might have you beat there,” I smiled back.

?“I love you, baby.”

?“I love you too.”

Epilogue: James

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