The official story they’d spun for folks back home was that Dr. Neil Green was Dr. Neil Russell’s long-lost nephew, and hey, isn’t life strange? Love will find a way.
Chris, though, had stayed skeptical, saying, “Joshua—is there something you’re not telling me? Because he isso muchlike Neil. Are you sure he’s not Neil’s son? You know, through a sperm donation or something? Because, while it might seem sort of weird if you were in love with Neil’s child, compared to other things that have happened in this world, there’s really nothing to be embarrassed about. You shouldn’t have to make up stories, partner.”
Joshua had stuck to the official line, though. Neil agreed it was the best course of action. Their predicament was so unbelievable, and both of their reputations would be compromised if they attempted to explain the truth.
The only person Joshua had been honest with was Lee. When he’d finally been able to bring himself to leave Neil and Atlanta in order to return to Scottsville and break the news of his move to his family, he’d stopped by the cemetery. It was the middle of December by then, and freezing. There were Christmas wreaths with red or green bows on a lot of the graves, and Joshua had brought a big one for Lee’s.
He’d knelt in the snow, getting his pants wet as he’d put the wreath on the gravestone carefully and brushed the snow away from the letters of Lee’s name and the inscription that followed.
“Hey,” he’d said, a lump in his throat. “I love you. You gave me such a great life, and I’m so happy I got to have that with you. That will never change.”
He’d waited for an answer, and he’d gotten one—a sense of warmth, affection, and happiness filled him. Inexplicably, it had tasted like Lee.
“So, look, you already know what I’m here to tell you. The thing is, I’m going to Atlanta to be with Neil. I love him. He makes me happy—he always did.”
Joshua had paused and then said, “One day, part of me will come to be with you here forever. Until then, Lee….” He’d trailed off. He hadn’t known what to say, and his throat was clogging with tears. He’d patted the headstone and nodded firmly.
He’d stood up, stuffed his hands in his pockets, and walked toward the skinny figure standing by the hired car at the graveyard’s edge. Neil’s hair had been a burnished chestnut in the afternoon sun, and Joshua’s heart had thumped wildly in his chest at the still-surprising sight of him.
Even now, at the top of Sacré-Cœur, with Neil grumbling about the mayo-infused sandwich he’d had to choke down at the café where they’d grabbed a bite, Joshua’s heart beat faster just looking at him.
“So,” Neil said, waving his hand at Paris below. “It’s impressive. But let’s get back to the hotel. It’s too cold to be out here much longer.”
Joshua grabbed Neil’s hand and held it. “Wait. There’s just one more thing.”
Neil’s eyes were so blue, and his mouth so perfect, and Joshua loved him so much. He was unbearably grateful for whatever force had brought Neil back to him. Joshua dropped to one knee, and he felt more than saw all the heads of the other tourists near them turn his way.
Neil’s eyes narrowed, and he shook his head. “You’d better not be proposing to me, Joshua Stouder.”
Joshua’s stomach lurched, and his heart fluttered anxiously in his chest. “Shut up, Neil.” He cleared his throat. “Neil Joseph Green, would you do me the honor—”
“No!” Neil said.
“What?” Joshua said, surprised outrage rocking through him. He hadn’t thought Neil would beenthusedby a romantic and public proposal, but he’d thought Neil would sayyesfor sure.
Neil groaned, rolled his eyes, and then said, “I mean, yes. You’ve ruined it, though. I had a whole… Dammit. Fine. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Joshua frowned. “I haven’t even asked yet.”
“Well, do it. I had strawberries and champagne and aplan, but you’ve gone and started it now.” Neil rolled his hand. “So finish.”
Joshua stood up. Leave it to Neil to ruin a perfectly good proposal. “What are youtalkingabout?”
“This!” Neil said, gesturing between them, and then down where Joshua had been kneeling. “I was going to ask you. Tonight, at the hotel. I had it all planned. I was going to wow you. You haveno ideahow hard it was to plan this, and now you—” He blew out a rough breath. “So, go on then. Ask. The answer is yes.”
Joshua crossed his arms over his chest. “You are such an ass.”
“And?”
Joshua turned around, irritation welling up in him. If Neil was going to be a jerk, he had no intention of—
Neil grabbed his arm, and said, “Hey, hey, wait a minute.” Neil’s voice was rough and soft now. “Just…wait a minute.”
Joshua did wait, his arms still crossed, as he blinked at Neil in frustration. The other people at the top were starting to get curious about the seeming lover’s quarrel, and several came around the tower to watch.
Neil rubbed a hand over his face, rotated his shoulders like he was working out some kinks, and then nodded firmly. “Okay. I’m ready. I’m sorry. Let’s try it again.”
Joshua shook his head and started to turn away, but then Neil grabbed him and fell down on his own knee in front of Joshua.
