A soft sob leaves my lips. “You called Lucien?”
“Yeah. He gave us his blessing.”
“That is wonderful. Thank you.”
“I’m not done with you yet, Felix.” He smiles, reaching across the table to take a small box from Luca. “I wanted to show you how much you mean to me. I don’t think we’re quite ready for proposals yet, but I do think we’re ready for this.” He hands me the box. “Open it, please.”
With shaking hands, I open the small white box to see a key inside. I gaze up at Apollo.
“Felix, will you move in with me? To be clear, I’m asking you to move in as my lover, my partner, my boyfriend. I want you with me every night. I’d be honored if you’d say yes.”
I exhale as tears stream down my face. “Yes. I would love that.”
Apollo smiles, exhaling as his shoulders relax. “Awesome. I love you.”
I jump up and wrap my arms and legs around him. He kisses me, swinging me back and forth as our friends clap for us. When he sets me down, I cup his cheek.
“You heard what I said about gestures. I thought I killed it with your favorite cake, but I think this wins.”
He gently pinches my chin. “It’s not a competition, gorgeous. I just wanted to show you what you mean to me.”
“You have done that. I feel like the most special man on the planet.”
“You are.” He wraps his arms around me. “We’ll tell your parents tonight?”
I nod. “Yes. They will be delighted for me.”
“Thank you for everything, Felix. You are exactly everything I was waiting for.”
“Ah, mon amour, you are a dream come true. Literally.”
He kisses my nose. “When do I get to see the lingerie?”
“Before the sun comes up, amour.”
“Perfect.”
We sit back with our friends, receiving heartfelt congratulations. The restaurant brings champagne as if we just became engaged, and I smile. Someday that will happen too. I am sure of it.
A few months ago, I was alone in Paris, thousands of miles from family, burnt out and lonely. I envisioned a life full of friends and laughter and love, and here it is, with the most desired, yet unexpected, man by my side.
Merci beaucoup, l'univers.
Apollo
After getting home from dinner with his parents, which went extremely well, Felix drags me to the bedroom and shoves me onto the bed.
“Stay.”
“Yes, sir.”
He disappears in the closet and comes out a few minutes later wearing the lingerie I bought him, and sky-high heels.
“Fuck.”
“You like?” he asks, tousling his wavy hair with his hand.
“More than like. I knew the minute we saw it in the window you would look amazing in it, and I was right. You blow me away.”
“I feel amazing.” He runs his hands over the corset. “It is so beautiful.”
“You are so beautiful.”
“I am free, Apollo. Untethered. I swear I could fly. For years, I hid parts of me to be more palatable for the world. For potential lovers.” He smiles. “But you gave me a space to be free. To be myself. To show my love for you. If I was ever happy before this, it was superficial. I never knew what true happiness could feel like. It radiates through every part of me now. Because of you.”
“I love you so much, Felix. You have redefined happiness for me.”
“Bien.” He slinks toward me. “Enough love talk for now, mon amour. I want to be ripped apart.”
“Fuck yeah.”
“Take off your clothes for me.”
“You ask so sweetly, even though I know your intentions are dirty.”
“Filthy.”
As I strip off my clothes, I search his eyes. “I have one more gesture.”
“What is that, darling?”
“We should get tested together. Then we can fuck without condoms.”
Felix grins. “That sounds nice.”
“We’re a monogamous couple. We will be forever.”
“Yes, forever.” He steps between my legs. “I can’t believe this is happening. I am shaken.”
I tilt my head. “Shaken?”
“Genesis taught me.”
“Ah. I think it might be shook.”
His brow furrows. “I am shook?” He nods. “Ah, yes, that is it. It does not make sense, but that is slang, right?”
“Right. So, I got you shook, huh?”
He giggles. “Oui. I am putty in your hands.”
“Really? Because in bed, you’re in charge.”
“I know. One more thing that makes my heart putty for you.”
“Yeah?” I pull him closer, rubbing my hands up and down the silk of the lingerie. “What else can I do to keep you shook?”
A sexy grin pulls at his lips. “Let’s find out together.”
It’s been two months since Felix moved in, and every day when I step in the house, a smile pulls at my lips. There’s always music playing, sometimes a TV show, and it always smells good. Sometimes he’s asleep, but sliding into bed next to his warm body is one of my new joys in life. This house finally has life in it.
When I find him, he’s in the kitchen, singing pop music as he stirs something in the pot. I lean against the doorframe, watching him for a moment until he catches me, jumping.
“Mon amour, you startled me.”
“Sorry. I was just enjoying the scenery. What are you making?”
"Boeuf Bourguignon.”
“It smells amazing.”
“Yes, it’s coming out nicely. I hope you are hungry.”
“Extremely. Is it almost done?”
“Ten minutes maybe. Enough time for you to change.”
“Great. Be right back.”
I head to the bedroom and fire off a quick text to kickstart the surprise I have for Felix. I know he doesn’t suspect a thing, and I’m pretty damn proud of myself for pulling this off. I change out of my tight jeans and work T-shirt, throwing on a pair of gray sweatpants and a sweater. When I shuffle back to the kitchen, Felix is leaning over the pot, inhaling it.
“We can let it rest a few minutes before we eat,” Felix says, walking over to kiss me. “I missed you today.”
“I missed you too.” The doorbell rings, and I try to act surprised. “Wonder who that could be. Let’s go answer it.”
“Together?”
“I can’t let you go yet. Come with me?”
Felix laughs. “You are so cute. I’ll come with you.”
I’m so excited for this, I’m practically bouncing off the walls. Felix looks at me funny as he grabs the handle to open the door. When he does, shifting his eyes to see who it is, his mouth falls open.
“Lucien!”
Lucien steps inside and grabs his brother in a huge bear hug. They haven’t seen each other in person in years, so I know how much this moment means to both of them.
“Oh my god, you’re here,” Felix says, stepping back with his hands gripped firmly on Lucien’s forearms. He turns to me. “Apollo, Lucien is here.”
“I know, baby. I told him to come over.”