Page 83 of Bossy Baby

Mac clasped Hayley’s hand as he stood. Mac took Hayley to an empty table not far from their friends.

Hayley wanted to hide in embarrassment. He couldn’t believe he’d gotten so carried away. Okay, that was a lie. Hayley got carried away often. That was how he’d broken his arm, after all.

“Will you sit in my lap?” Mac asked.

Hayley climbed right on up. Mac might be mad at him, but at least he wasn’t pushing him away.

“I want to make sure you listen carefully,” Mac told him.

“I will. Promise.”

“I know that we technically just started dating,” Mac said. “I also haven’t hidden how long I’ve been interested in you or how I bought that house for you specifically.”

No, Mac had been honest about it all.

“Most boys would have ran away screaming when they found out I not only bought them a house, but also about my past.”

“I will never run from you.”

Mac kissed his forehead. “Thank you for saying that. But I need you to understand something.”

Hayley was moving too fast for Mac. He’d messed up.

“If I could have moved you in the first night you stayed, I would have,” Mac said.

“You…what now?”

“That is our home,” Mac said. He held Hayley’s hand tightly. “I want you there every night. I want to wake up with you every morning. I want holidays, dinners, and parties.”

“You want me to stay?”

“Yes,” Mac responded quickly. “I was hoping to convince you every day to bring more and more stuff to our house so you never had to go to your apartment again.”

“I was putting everything I could in the bags. Just so all my stuff would be at your house.”

“Our house,” Mac corrected. “It’s our house.”

Hayley threw his arms around Mac’s neck and squeezed. “I’m living with you now.”

Chuckling, Mac hugged him back. “Yes, you are. But there is one more thing I need to say.”

“No Christmas Eve dinner?” Hayley guessed. He really should have known better. Mac was a private person, and it wasn’t fair for Hayley to just be inviting people over.

“Christmas Eve dinner is fine. I just want to tell you. Right here and right now.” Mac took a deep breath. “I love you, Hayley. I know I told you that once, but I want you to really listen. You are everything good in my life. Never be afraid to ask. Hell, you don’t have to ask. It’s our future we are working on. Planning. Everything I have is to share with you.”

Hayley’s eyes filled. This was the best night in his entire life! “I love you, too. So much.”

Mac kissed him. Hard. Deep. Claiming.

Hayley was about to say screw it and beg Mac to take him home when Mac pulled away.

Rowdy applause and cat calls reached him.

Hayley looked over Mac’s shoulder to see all their friends hooting and hollering at them. Even Master Fin.

“They’re acting like idiots, aren’t they?” Mac asked.

“They’re our friends,” Hayley replied with a grin. “They love us.”

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