Page 79 of The Way Home

There’s that dimple.

“Of course I do.”

“I can’t wait,” he said softly, nuzzling into Jamie’s hair. Jamie’s hands slid higher, wrapping around his shoulders in a full hug.

They stood like that for a while, their chests rising and falling in sync. Even this—just hugging—felt like a delicacy to Caleb.

Maybe it was the nostalgia of the music, or the feeling of Jamie in his arms, but Caleb was suddenly overwhelmed with the urge to cry. For many reasons, probably, but right now, he just felt consumed with love for this man. And even though he couldn’t say it, he took a rare moment to let it engulf him.

It was such a specific kind of love, one he feltonlyfor Jamie. And he remembered feeling it just as potently the night he proposed.

He thought of the Jenga tower, and Ellie’s words—that Jamiewouldfall in love with him again. Caleb couldn’t help but feel like this was, at the very least, a step in the right direction.

A new tile on their Jenga tower.

By sheer stubbornness,Jamie willed Saturday into arriving faster. The work week flew by, with JB helping him iron out all the details of the date.

Their apartment buzzed with anticipation, effectively knocking down the wall of awkwardness that had been there the first few days Jamie was home. When Saturday night rolled around, it somehowwasn’training. A miracle during springtime in London, and ideal considering everything Jamie had planned was within walking distance of their flat. He thought a nice stroll would be more romantic than taking the Tube.

“You look nice,” Caleb said, bouncing out of the bedroom with the energy of a small puppy and pecking him on the cheek.

It was nice, seeing him so giddy. Ever since Jamie had asked him on the date, it seemed he was a little more at ease around their home. He still fussed over Jamie, checked up on his health every two seconds, but he wasn’t being quite so… careful.

Which was exactly what Jamie wanted. Tonight, Jamie wantedhimto feel relaxed. For once, Jamie wanted to do the spoiling.

“Thank you,” Jamie said, looking down at himself. Adjusting the collar of his light blue shirt—the one he’d spent over an hour picking out—he took the time to look Caleb up and down. Once again, the man had taken all of ten minutes to get ready and… heavens above, he looked good. He’d gotten a hair trim. The sides were a bit shorter now, leaving his curls longer on top.

He looked bloody incredible.

Per Jamie’s instructions, Caleb dressed in casual layers: beige chinos, slightly cropped at the ankle, and a soft white Oxfordwith the sleeves rolled up. Draped over his arm was a dusty olive crewneck he could tie around his waist if things got too warm at the venue. Caleb still had no idea where they were going.

Jamie’s stomach did a nervous little flip at the thought. Fuck, he hoped Caleb liked what he had planned.

Caleb cleared his throat. Jamie jolted, realizing he was staring at Caleb’s chest with his mouth open. “You ready?” he squeaked, earning a small chuckle from Caleb.

“Hell yeah, I am.” Caleb slipped the crewneck over his head. With a hand on Jamie’s back, he led them to the door and opened it.

“No, no, no,” Jamie said, shaking off Caleb’s hand. “I’mtakingyouon this date.Iwill be opening doors, and all that rubbish.”

“Rubbish?!” Caleb leaned away. “I like holding doors for you.”

“Tough nuggets. Tonight is about you.”

As they shuffled out of the flat, locking the door behind them, Caleb muttered under his breath, “You did not just saytough nuggets.”

Leading Caleb down the sidewalk and into the heart of SoHo, Jamie mentally retraced the route to the restaurant. Neither of them had been—at least, not that he was aware—and he’d spent an embarrassing amount of time at work memorizing the directions. He didn’t want to spend their date faffing about with his phone.

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going now?” Caleb slid a hand around Jamie’s waist and pulled him closer.

“You’ll see in…” Jamie checked his watch. “About four more blocks. So approximately six minutes at the pace we are walking.”

“Ugh,” Caleb sighed dramatically, but reeled Jamie in tighter. “I guess I can be patient.”

His playfulness bolstered Jamie’s confidence that tonight might not be atotaldisaster. They were just out to have a good time—and for Caleb to feel special.

Ellie’s text from earlier flashed in his mind:You could take him to the Museum of Stinky Rubbish, and he’d still worship the ground you walk on. Chill.

Jamie frowned. His friends were just trying to ease his nervesand all that, but those comments didn’t actually help. Because he didn’t see it that way.