Six Months Later…
Scottie looked over at his boyfriend and couldn’t help but smile as they walked hand in hand into the Italian restaurant where they’d had their first date.
Even though it had only been six months ago, it felt like a lifetime had passed since then.
At the time, Trenton hadn’t even been ready to call it a date, but Scottie could trace his feelings back to that night. He had known then that there was something really special about Trenton Lewis.
And he had been absolutely right.
“I love this place,” Trenton said, squeezing Scottie’s hand as he ushered Scottie in through the front door. “I’m really glad this is our first date spot, you know? That just makes it so much better. I think it even makes the food taste better.”
Scottie laughed. “I’m pretty sure any place is better when we’re there together. You could probably make fast food feel special.”
Trenton snorted as they walked up to the host desk. “I wouldn’t count on that, but I do love your faith in my abilities.”
“And I love you,” Scottie replied, leaning in to give Trenton a quick peck on the cheek.
“I love you, too, beautiful. Happy six months.”
Scottie had been so caught up looking into Trenton’s sexy eyes that his brain had barely even registered the young lady with the bright smile standing in front of them.
“Are we celebrating something tonight?” she asked, clasping her hands together.
“It’s our six-month anniversary,” Scottie answered, looking over at Trenton again with a smile. “If you’ve got a nice, quiet table somewhere, that would be wonderful.”
“Actually, we have a reservation,” Trenton said. “It should be under Trenton Lewis…”
“Oh, oh,” the girl nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, sir. We have the perfect table for you.” She motioned for them to follow her. “It’ll be right this way, please. And may I just say—the two of you make the absolute cutest couple.”
Scottie felt his cheeks heat up from the attention, but he had to admit the young hostess was right. They did make a pretty damn cute couple.
“Thank you,” Scottie said, stealing another glance at Trenton as they followed the hostess. “I don’t think we’ve ever sat on this side of the restaurant before,” Scottie whispered.
Trenton smiled back at him but didn’t say anything as they walked through an arched doorway into a side dining room.
It took Scottie a moment to realize it, but they were heading straight for a large circular table in the corner.
Except the table was already occupied.
And then Scottie stopped in his tracks as he realized he recognized all the faces around the table.
There was Calvin and Jack, Gage and Newton, even Lane Brooks, the veterinarian, and Danny Evans, the salon owner, were there.
“Oh my God, you guys…” Scottie shook his head as if he were coming out of a dream. “Trenton… I… you did this? You arranged all of this?”
“I did,” Trenton said, pulling Scottie into a quick hug and giving him a kiss that almost made him forget they were still in public and still in front of every single one of their friends. “Happy anniversary, babe.”
“Thank you so much,” Scottie said, beaming as he looked over at the table. “You guys have been in on this? And somehow managed to keep it a secret? I’m impressed.”
“I know, right?” Calvin laughed. “Trenton did a great job of organizing it, though. It really was all him.”
Scottie looked back over at his boyfriend and shook his head incredulously. “I don’t even know what to say. Thank you, Trenton. And happy anniversary to you, too. You’ve really outdone yourself. I don’t know how you’re going to manage to top this.”
Trenton shrugged and gave Scottie a funny look, one that was almost suddenly sheepish. “I’m going to try in just a second…”
Scottie’s brow furrowed as he watched Trenton fish something small from his pocket. When he opened his hand, Scottie could see that it was a little black, velvet box.
But it was only when Trenton took Scottie’s hand and went down on one knee that Scottie’s brain made the connection.
“Oh my God,” Scottie whispered. “Oh my God.”
“Scottie Chambers,” Trenton said, beaming up at him as he quickly kissed Scottie’s hand. “These last six months have been the happiest of my life thanks to you. You make my life better just by being in it, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to properly thank you, or to let you know just how much you mean to me, but…” He swallowed hard and took a deep breath. “I hope you’ll give me the opportunity to spend the rest of my life trying. Scottie, you’ve already made me happier and more fulfilled than I ever thought possible, but if you would do me the honor of becoming my husband, I promise I’ll do my very best every single day to let you know how much I love you. Scottie, will you marry me?”
Scottie blinked, trying and failing to hold back the tears of happiness that had been welling up. “Oh my God, Trenton… I-I don’t even know what to say.”
“I hope you’ll say yes,” he replied with a smile. “Marry me, Scottie.”
“Yes,” Scottie nodded. “Yes, yes, yes. Oh my God, yes.”
Trenton was up and had Scottie in his arms so quickly that it took Scottie’s breath away. Their friends were on their feet, clapping and congratulating them, but Scottie could only see Trenton, could only hear his voice.
“I love you, babe,’ Trenton said. “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world.”
“I love you, too,” Scottie murmured, going in for a nice, long kiss. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I can’t believe you’re going to be my husband. My husband.”
“Believe it,” Trenton replied, grinning. “Because I’m not going anywhere. Not ever.”
And as the words sank in, Scottie could start to believe. They had found each other and had overcome all the odds, and now this really was going to be forever. They were going to be married.
It was everything Scottie had ever wanted, and everything he hadn’t even realized he’d needed.
Trenton was all of those things.
He was Scottie’s everything.