Page 98 of Any Day

“What do you mean?”

“I never mentioned this before, because there seemed no point. You were dead set on keeping the house. But Tommy asked me once if you’d ever considered donating the place to a suitable charity, maybe to be used as a refuge for teens with emotional problems, a place for them to get away from the city and heal.”

“He said that?”

“He did. I told him about the legacy, the long family history, and he understands.”

“But I think that’s a beautiful idea, Ade. Do you want to say something to him?”

“No, love,” said Adrian, grinning at Leonard. "That’s a conversation between the two of you, don’t you think?”

For all his bravado, their son—yes, theirson—had a heart of pure gold. Adrian had shifted onto his side, a hand cradling the back of his head, his gaze softening as he took in Leonard.

“When things get better,” said Leonard, “do you think we could all go on a road trip and meet your aunt and uncle? In Hastings?”

“Oh, hell, Lenny. You’ve got to stop doing this,” said Adrian, rubbing a hand across his eyes. “Enough emotion for one night. And yes. Yes, of course. I would absolutely love that.”

After a moment, their eyes met again.

“Why me, Lenny?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re amazing—successful, charismatic. Everyone I’ve ever met likes you. And yet you chose me. I suppose I just wondered why.”

“Are you fishing for compliments?”

“No, I’m serious. Even that friend of yours, Kennedy, said he had a thing for you once. I just wondered what you see in me.”

“Ade,” said Leonard, after leaning in a kissing him softly. “I love everything about you. You’re brave, braver than anyone I’ve ever known. Not only did you survive the streets, but you came through intact with not a bad bone in your body. I love those cute freckles you still have after all these years, and the way your eyes crinkle and only half of your mouth lifts when you find something amusing. And I love that when you laugh it’s neveratpeople, butwiththem. I could happily drown in the look you give me when we’re both blissed out from kissing and having sex. I love that your heart is so big and yet so fragile, and despite all of the suffering you’ve been through, you still think nothing of selflessly helping others. When I watch you sleep peacefully, looking like a little boy, my heart breaks thinking about you being homeless, fearing for your life every night. And I want to wrap you in my arms and never let you go. But most of all—and this might sound a little selfish—I love that I’m the one who understands all this about you, that I’m the person who’s won the prize of knowing your story, and spending the rest of my life with you.”

Leonard could see Adrian processing everything he had said, breathing deeply. When their eyes met again, he smiled and reached a finger out to touch Leonard’s lips.

“Well, I don’t have your way with words, but maybe I can show you exactly how much you mean to me. Will that be enough?”

“More than enough,” said Leonard, as Adrian pulled their bodies together.

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