Page 127 of Flirty Dancing

They stared at each other.

“Did that just happen?” Archer asked.

“That just happened,” Mateo replied, a laugh bubbling up.

Archer jumped into Mateo’s arms.

Mateo caught him, as usual.

Epilogue

NEW YORK CITY—THIRTEEN MONTHS LATER

“Would you hurry up?” Mateo called.

“One second!” Archer replied.

“That’s what you said five minutes ago!”

“But for real this time.” Archer gave himself one last look in the mirror, then stepped out of the bathroom, arms wide in ata-da!pose. “How do I look?” His navy suit fit him perfectly, a recent bespoke purchase.

Mateo’s mouth fell open. “You look… wow. Amazing.”

“Naw.” Archer swatted at Mateo, then reached to straighten his bow tie. His suit was dark gray, highlighting his wide shoulders and slim waist. “Youlook amazing.”

Mateo took hold of Archer’s hips and kissed him soundly.

“Okay, we both look amazing,” Archer allowed, once his lips were free again.

“Yes, and we will both be late. Get your sexy ass in the elevator.”

“Pshhh.” Archer waved a dismissive hand on his wayout the door. “Lynn knows I’m always late. In fact, I bet she gave me a fake time.”

Mateo rolled his eyes as he locked their apartment behind him. “She did not. I checked. The reception is actually at six. She trusted me to get you there on time.”

“Oh. Well then, shit, we’d better hurry up.”

Mateo grabbed his hand and squeezed it as they hurried to the elevator. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

Archer squeezed his hand back. “You love me.”

The doors slid shut behind them. Mateo took his chin, eyes dark, and kissed him again. “Yes, I do.”

Archer’s heart fluttered. He never got tired of hearing that.

The first time was twelve months ago, the morning of their audition for Breckon Galloway.

“I’m so nervous,” Archer remembered saying over breakfast, picking at his toast, leg jittering under the table. “My stomach is in knots. I think I might actually vomit.”

Mateo had nodded and put his spoon down. He had oatmeal for breakfast every single morning. “Do you want to move in?” Mateo asked, words loud and sure. “For good?”

Archer’s leg stopped jittering. “What?”

Mateo took Archer’s hand. “Move in with me. Stay. Please.” His eyes crinkled. “This is me begging again, to be clear.”

Archer tried to swallow, throat dry. “I—What if we don’t get this job? I’m almost broke—”

“I don’t care if we get it or not.” Mateo took his other hand. “You will get a job. I know it. You belong here, Archer. You belong in New York. You belong with me. Please stay.”

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