I don’t have time to ward Alex off before the five-and-a-half-foot man scrambles onto my lap, wrapping himself around me like a barnacle. He leans close to my ear, his blonde hair tickling the side of my face. “I will treasure our friendship forever,” he says softly yet vehemently. “You won’t regret this, Grumpy Bear.” “I already regret this,” I mutter. “Shhh,” he says, clamping his hand over my mouth and then stroking my head. “No more words. This day has already been perfect.”
