Chapter 96

Jason flung an arm around him. Gathered him close, touched his face, cupped his cheek: thumb smoothing away wetness. “I love you.”

“I love you,” Colby whispered, “so much.” He was gazing at his hand; they both were. Gold caught rainlight and morning pearls, and gave the shimmer back a thousandfold. The weight felt right. Exactly so: himself wearing Jason’s ring. “I…I had looked. At rings. Also. I was thinking, if we could…if you wanted…if this was real…”

“It’s real.” Jason bent, kissed him, reinforced reality with lips, tongue, gentle tender claiming caresses. “It’s real and I love you and you said yes.”

“I did.” He met Jason’s eyes. “We’re getting married.”

“You’re my fiancé.”

“Oh good heavens. I am. And you’re mine. My future husband. Er…properly. Officially. I know we’ve been saying it, less officially, ever since—”