Chapter 96

A warm flood of gratitude and love put a genuine smile on his lips. The awkwardness of this day brought the true value of their easy acceptance home to him. The yearning felt childish, wishing they were here serving to embarrass him. Still, maybe because of the very nature of this celebration, all he felt most was their absence.

Dean shifted, fingering his collar. Beside him, Jay grinned. Did nothing escape his attention? He wouldn’t have minded the suit so much if its purpose were to wear it for Jay in private. That came later when able to do something about Jay’s admiration. Jay had said Dean looked good in a suit. That meant Jay looked forward to getting him out of it.

“Almost done,” Jay whispered, before saying hello yet again, and then Dean was holding out a hand, his face aching from smiling so much, Jay still by his side, a united front.