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“Did you know a group of ladybugs is called a loveliness?”
Rhys was tall and lean, with muscles in places only scaling tall structures could create, and cognac-colored irises. His dark bangs continually flopped over his eyebrow, and his crooked smile still made Emerson feel instantly better.
Emerson followed suit in an adorably awkward way until he finally found his rhythm. Then he was off to the races, lifting his arms, gyrating his hips, closing his eyes, and getting lost in the music. And for Christ’s sake, he looked so free, so stunning, that for a split second, Rhys could picture how Emerson might look in the throes of passion.
But she sighed dreamily. “Well, I think it’s awesome.” His eyebrows rose to his hairline. “You do?” She shrugged. “It’s awesome to fall in love with your best friend.”
“There’s been an accident.” It was the same feeling all over again, getting the call about Rhys. That tightness in his gut that made Emerson feel like the walls were closing in on him. Except this time, Rhys was in the ICU in serious condition from a climbing accident, but he was still alive.
“I heard you caused all kinds of trouble at Acadia. Rearranging rocks and getting the EMTs involved. Such a troublemaker.”
“As strange as it sounds, your accident nudged us to make this change.” Rhys arched an eyebrow. “Are you implying that I fell down the side of a mountain so that you could repaint this room?” Audrey and Sam chuckled as Emerson grinned at him. “Sounds stupid, but it’s the truth.”
Seeing him waiting there always made his heart flutter, probably because Emerson felt like home
“That’s why I thought it was a good gift for you…because you’re sort of going through your own kinda metamorphosis.”
“Hey, if a group of ladybugs is called a…” Rhys trailed off, trying to remember their conversation from another birthday celebration. “Loveliness,” Sam supplied, and Rhys nodded, still liking the sound of it. “How about a group of butterflies?” he asked. Sam pushed up his glasses. “A kaleidoscope.”
“Why did you stay?” Rhys asked, his heart beating double-time. Emerson gripped the door handle. “Because you’re family.” That was the exact moment Rhys knew no other person would ever compare.
“Then it hit me out of the blue…I didn’t even realize it all this time.” Rhys released a breath, almost like a sigh. “I was slowly falling in love with you…during all the bigger and smaller moments in our lives…and all the spaces in between.”
“Even when I didn’t think I had a chance with you, I was already in love with your courage, your resolve, and your heart. And then having the opportunity—twice—to act on those feelings? That’s lucky. To get to hold you and kiss you. To watch you give yourself to me? That was a gift.”
“It’s always been you, Em, for me.” He stared straight into Emerson’s eyes. “And maybe it took my accident to realize it. Maybe not. Life is so fucking strange sometimes.”
A moment later he felt stronger, ropey arms thrown around them all, and he breathed out in relief, melting into Rhys’s solid frame, feeling so many fucking things, but mostly like he was home.
Rhys felt at peace with his confession, especially since every time their eyes met, the flush on Emerson’s cheeks would deepen all over again. That was enough to keep his spirits up for now. Because even if Emerson took more of his good old fucking time, Rhys knew with raw certainty that he held an essential place in Emerson’s heart. Knew in his gut that they meant something to each other, something goddamned profound.
“Tell me again how we fell in love?” His heart stuttered. “We?” “Uh-huh. You and me falling in love.” “Slowly…” he replied in a hoarse voice. “During the bigger and smaller moments in our lives…” “And all the spaces in between,” Emerson murmured.
“I don’t know how to do this,” Emerson whispered. “How to not have doubts or not be afraid. Like everything is just gonna come crashing down again. But every time I imagine you not being here, with me—with us—I can’t breathe.
“You have me, Em. I’m yours.” He reached out to lift Emerson’s chin with his thumb. “The question is, are you mine?”
“I’ve always been yours,” Emerson said, and Rhys’s breath caught. “I’m in love with you. And I want us to be together, even if we stumble along the way.” Thank fuck.
“Sam, Rhys and I—” Are together? Dating? Boyfriends? Damn, that sounded good. “Love each other,” Sam replied, waving his hand. “Duh, who wouldn’t know that?” He rolled his eyes for effect,
Rhys lifted Emerson’s hand and kissed his palm. “This is one of those big moments again, isn’t it?” “Where we fall more deeply in love?” “Totally and completely.”
