Page 190 of How to Be Gay By Valentines Day
The party winds down slowly after that. More hugs, more promises to call, more threats of bodily harm if we don't keep in touch. Rex pulls me aside and tells me, gruffly, that I'm "alright for a non-frat guy."
Ian makes me promise to send pictures of hot Swiss women. My guys present me with a binder, an actual physical binder, containing emergency contact information, time zone conversion charts, and a detailed FAQ about European electrical outlets.
Finally, when the crowd thins and the mess has been half-heartedly addressed, Gavin takes my hand and leads me outside.
The night air is cool against my flushed skin.
Gavin's hand squeezes mine.
"So," he says.
"So."
We stand there for a moment, looking back at the house. At the crooked banner visible through the window.
Then Gavin turns to me, "Ready to leave?" he asks.
I look at him. Six-foot-four of golden retriever energy, still kind of sweaty from the study room, grinning at me.
This idiot saw through every wall I built and decided to stick around anyway.
'Yeah,' I say, throat tight. 'With you? Always.'
His whole face lights up, fucking hell, that smile, and he pulls me into a kiss.
I should say something sarcastic. That's my thing. But my brain is offline and my mouth is busy, so I just... let myself have this.
