Page 121 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

“Joey,” he says again, but the words are already spilling out, and there’s no stopping them.

“None of them haveyourgreen eyes, Brad. None of them will feel the same wrapped around me at night. None of them are capable of being what I need because I’m already in love withyou. I love you, okay? So no. You told me not to settle, and I’m not settling for anyone but the man I love. I’m not giving you up without a fight, got it?”

The curve of Brad’s slowly burgeoning smile takes me momentarily off guard. I don’t understand what he has to smile about, but then he says, “Joey. It’s me. I’m the date.”

My exhale is loud. “What?”

“I was going to come in once you were seated,” he explains, his hand sliding up my arm. “I was trying to be cute.”

“You nearly gave me a heart attack,” I croak.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, his eyes closing briefly before they’re on me again. “You love me?”

Fuck.

“I do,” I say, despite the way my nerves are flayed open.

“Good,” he says firmly. “Because I’m kinda in love with you, too, dude. And you not feeling the same way would’ve really spoiled this whole grand gesture thing I’m trying to pull off.”

I let out a pained laugh, and Brad tugs me close, his hand anchoring at the side of my neck.

“I don’t want you with anyone else, Joey. And I don’t want to be with anyone else, either. I’m sorry I fucked this up, but I was trying to tell you thirty days isn’t nearly enough time for me. Not when it comes to you. I’d like to shareallyour days if that’s something you’d like, too. I can’t promise to always get things right. I mean, case in point right here. But Icanpromise I’ll always do my best. Because you’re worth it. You’re my baby kangaroo-roo. And, if you’ll let me, I’ll be your boomer.”

“Fuck, bub,” I rasp out, my relief mixing with a heavy dose of joy and so much affection it’s physically painful. “Are you saying you want to be my Daddy?”

“Uh…” he says slowly, apparently having missed my teasing tone. “Is that something you’re into, dude? Because I don’t remember it on your list of kinks. I can totally try, though!” He clears his throat, the serious mask he draws over his face making my lips twitch. “You gonna be good and take my cock later, son?”

Oh. My. God.

“I fucking love you,” I tell him.

Brad beams. “I love you, too, man! Does this mean we’re gonna be dude-bros for life? Two halves of the same man-sammie? You can be my bro-nilla milkshake, and I’ll be your—”

Brad makes a startled noise when my lips press to his, but then he’s kissing me back just as fiercely, his hands tugging at my shirt, mine at the back of his head as I bump him lightlyinto the outside of the steakhouse. My breath feels as if it’s too expansive for my lungs, my eyes stinging from unshed tears. He’s the wash of the ocean over my senses, lips warm like the sun, his happiness combined with my own leaving me weightless and drowning in nothing but him.

He’s everything I didn’t know I wanted, never thought I’d get, and can’t bear to let go of.

I pull Brad away from the wall, lifting him up in my arms. He lets out a surprised sound, but it shifts quickly to a chuckle as his lips smack away from mine.

“You’ll stay with me, Baby?”

His smile widens at my question, and he throws his arms out wide. “Yeah, Johnny. ’Cause I’ve…haaad—”

“Oh boy.”

“—the time of my—”

“Are we really doing this?”

“—li-i-ife, and I—”

“Dude,” some guy says, stopping beside us. “Are you doingDirty—”

“Dirty Dancing, dude, fuck yeah!” Brad says, holding out his hand.

The guy slaps his palm. “Good movie.”

He walks away, and Brad turns to me, eyes wide. “See? Everyone gets it.”

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