Archer nodded, struggling to put together a sentence. A tear slipped out as he smiled. “I’ll stay.”
A little bit later, after they celebrated, Mateo whispered the words into his skin. “I love you, Archer.”
Archer took them and folded them into his heart. “I love you too.”
He had never had a more satisfying conversation with his parents. “I belong here,” he told them, knowing it was true, deep down inside, the same way he knew he was meant to dance.
They crushed their audition for Breckon’s show, and the next day he got the rest of his stuff from Sasha and Lynn’s place. He found the sunniest windowsill in Mateo’s apartment—their apartment—for his plants.
“Did you miss me?” he had whispered to Danny and Belle and Spot as he arranged them next to Eileen, the new plant Mateo gave him, a little cactus with purple flowers.
Now, a year later, Lynn and Sasha had had their wedding ceremony earlier that day at city hall, with their parents present. And Archer and Mateo were about to be late for the reception at a charming French restaurant in the West Village.
“We’re here, we’re here!” Archer cried, rushing from the cab to the wrought iron front door where Lynn waited with Sasha, tapping her foot. “Congratulations! You look beautiful!” he cried, pausing for a quick cheek kiss for each of them before he and Mateo scurried inside. Both women wore simple white dresses—Lynn’s was a strapless sheath, and Sasha’s was soft and flowy, with lace cap sleeves and an empire waist.
The restaurant was draped with fairy lights, eucalyptus leaves, and Queen Anne’s lace, candles flickering on every table. Archer and Mateo hurried in and sank into the two empty seats next to Betty and… Caleb?
“Caleb! Hi! What are you doing here?” Archer leaned over to give him a hug.
Betty grinned. “He’s my plus-one. We wanted to surprise you.” Betty, Lynn, and Sasha had become fast friends in the year since they’d met at Shady Queens, and they all had kept in touch with Caleb, too.
“How are you?” Archer asked him. “What’s new? It’s been a few months, things have been so crazy…”
“I’m good,” Caleb said. “I opened my own dance studio.”
“You did? Good for you!”
“Thanks, Archer.” A smile stretched across his face. “It’s going really well.”
“And… Ben?”
The smile turned a little bashful. “He’s coming to visit again next month.”
Archer reached over to squeeze his arm. “That’s great, Caleb. Seriously, congratulations.”
“But enough about me,” Caleb said, swatting Archer away. “Look at you!”
“Excuse me, everyone!” Lynn’s uncle called from the door. “Could you please stand to welcome… Lynn and Sasha Molina-Grimes!”
Archer stood with the rest of his table and cheered and cheered.
Later, after dinner and the speeches, but before the cake and dancing, Archer leaned over to mumble at Mateo. “People are staring… specifically that entire table over there.” He tilted his head, a smile frozen on his face.
“Get used to it,” Mateo said, casting them a glance. He stretched an arm across the back of Archer’s chair with a smirk. “That’s the life of a Broadway star.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it,” Archer said,throwing an awkward half wave to the table. They tittered and waved back.
“They’ll want autographs after a few more drinks, I expect.” Mateo laughed while Archer groaned. “It’s your fault for being so talented, I guess.” He smiled and rubbed Archer’s shoulder.
Their show with Breckon had debuted a month ago to rave reviews and instant sellouts. They had been on the front page of theNew York TimesArts section with Breckon, smiling below their marquee. Archer’s mom had even called squawking, ordering him to go buy up all the copies he could get his hands on so she could give one to everyone they knew in Dayton. Funny how it turned out that not even twenty-nine was too old. It was just a beginning.
Archer leaned over to kiss Mateo. “At least I get to be famous with you,” he said, catching a whiff of forest and sunshine. “I can do anything with you.”
Mateo touched their foreheads together. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
As the night went on, he watched Lynn and Sasha dancing in the soft glow of candles and fairy lights. Lynn twirled Sasha out and back, laughing.
Archer sighed, his heart full.Life is sweet.
Mateo slid his hand onto Archer’s thigh and then laced their fingers together, leaning in close to murmur in his ear. “Care to dance?”
Archer smiled at him. “Always.”
