Page 136 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

My pen scratches lightly against the paper as I add to my list.

Step nine in Brad’s Guide to Finding Himself and Falling in Love:

Follow your heart.

I close the notebook, setting it aside as I glance at the man sleeping beside me, the one my heart guided me to. Flicking off the lamp, I curl against his body, right where I belong, a smile on my face I know isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Step nine?

Yeah.

Abso-fucking-lutely nailed it.

Epilogue

Brad

Four Years Later

“Hey, everyone. Thanks for coming today. I know most of you are here out of the goodness of your hearts. But for those who showed up for the free drinks, the bar is at the back of the room.”

The gathered crowd chuckles, some of them raising wine glasses or cocktails, others smiling, a couple letting out cheers. I smile back before going on.

“So, I have a speech I prepared that I’d like to share with you. And I know, I know. The last time I gave a speech, I got a papercut and passed out. But see? This time I came prepared.”

I wave the laminated paper in the air to another round of chuckles. Taking a small breath to center myself, I run my fingers along the smooth surface.

“Here’s the thing. I had this list I created a while back, right? Over four years ago actually. It was supposed to be about finding myself. About striking out on my own and figuring out what I wanted out of life. Maybe even finding my person. And Idid. I did find my person. And, in a lot of ways, I learned more about myself along the way. It’s just that none of it happened like I expected it to. Let me just…let me read it to you, and I think you’ll understand.”

I look down at the laminated sheet I’ve seen a hundred times or more before leaning toward the mic.

“Step one. Make a new friend.” I huff a laugh, eyes meeting the crowd again. “That was Joey. If you know him, which I know you do, you know he’s the easiest guy to befriend. He introduced himself to me at the gym one day, and we just clicked. Granted, he was trying to pick me up, and I had no clue, but it worked out fine in the end.”

More chuckles. More smiles.

“I think about that day a lot,” I admit. “When this guy with warm brown eyes came into my life and I went home feeling hopeful. Excited. Because I’d just made a new friend. Even still, Joey is one of my best friends. He’s one of the best people I know, period. And I’m lucky that he didn’t give up on me back then. If he had, well… Broey might not exist. That’s Brad and Joey, in case it’s not clear.”

There’s some more laughter, and I smile before taking a small sip of my water to wet my throat.

“Step two,” I continue. “Do a good deed.Oh Christ. Okay, so this one is a funny story. Remember that wholeJoey thought he snagged a datething? Well, I felt really bad about that, so I came up with this brilliant plan. To be Joey’s wingman. Thebestwingman. And, honestly, I think I smashed it. I mean, look at us now.”

Cas snorts, giving me a smile when I glance back. Jason just shakes his head, but he’s smiling, too.Such good dudes.

I focus forward again, my throat a little tight.

“I told Joey I’d find him the one. And I did, in a roundabout kinda way. Which leads me to step three. Try something unexpected. Oh boy. You might want to close your ears for this one, Mama D.”

Joey’s mom laughs from her table not far in front of me, her smile so bright she’s practically glowing. I grin right back, tossing her an air kiss before going on.

“On my journey as a wingman, I set Joey up on several dates. This was before the Broey era, of course. One of those dates happened to be a photoshoot of the…sexyvariety. And when Joey’s date didn’t show, well, I stepped in. Which is why there’s now a life-size canvas of the two of us in our underwear on the bedroom wall.”

There are more chuckles at that, and a few rowdy porn stars in the crowd hoot and holler. I shoot them a wink.

“The thing is—I hadn’t realized at that point I had feelings for Joey. It seems so obvious now, but I guess that’s the benefit of hindsight, right? Emotions are complicated. Sexuality, even, is complicated. And, as Joey himself likes to remind me when I point out the two gym-bros in a semi-nude pose above our bed, there’s no one right time or way to understand yourself. It’s an ongoing process. And I appreciate that Joey never once made me feel bad for taking a little longer to clue in to the fact that I wanted to lick him from head to toe and back to head again, if you get what I mean.”

I wince, even as a few people whistle.

“Sorry, Mama D.”

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