Page 79 of The Problem

Laurence didn’t have the words to reply to a sentiment like that. Instead, he slipped his hand into Alex’s and pressed the ring between theirpalms.

“Laurence?” Alex asked, startled. “There’s something in your hand. What isit?”

“It’s something for you,” Laurence said. “Something for your eyes only. My own version offamily.”

There was no better place to pledge his heart to Alex forever than the room where it had all begun. As Alex’s hand slipped from his and he took a startled step back, Laurence carefully lowered himself to one knee, mindful ofViolet.

“Alex?” Laurence asked. Alex had covered his mouth with his hands, and tears were already starting to tumble down his cheeks. “Will you marryme?”

“Yes!” Alex’s voice was a note higher than usual, stretched thin and rounded, like it might pop at any moment. He dropped to his knees and locked his arms around Laurence’s neck, hugging himself close to Violet, who cooed and grabbed a handful of his hair. “Yes, yes, one million times yes. So much yes you shouldn’t have even needed toask.”

Laurence laughed, but not for long—Alex’s lips sealed over his, kissing him fiercely. The same staggering chemistry burned between them, filling Laurence’s lungs and energizing his spirit. With Alex, he was young. No obstacle was too great, and no problem too difficult. The world was limitless… but all he wanted from it was what he presently held in hisarms.

“I love you,” Alex whispered. “And I love the family you’ve given me, and the colors wemake.”

“And I love you.” Laurence closed his eyes and memorized the way the moment felt. Alex’s body next to his, Violet between them, the scents on the air, and the glimmering excitement in hischest.

For the rest of his life, this moment would linger with him, a reminder of what he’d promised himself, and what he’d promisedAlex.

His heart had won out over his head, and wouldforevermore.

No morealmost.

No morenever.

Always.