“I…my feelings for you were growing stronger,” he said, “and I didn’t know how to deal with them. After what Jason did to you, I knew you deserved better. I was so angry that the men you dated treated you so horribly, that you deserved better. I thought I could be better for you. That scared me, and I was afraid if I stayed, I’d do something that I’d regret. So, I broke contact hoping those feelings would go away.”
“Since we’re here, I’m guessing the feelings didn’t go away.”
“No.” Rory shook his head. “When I saw you at your dad’s house, the feelings came flooding back. I thought I could suppress them and be friends, but I wanted more. It took my friends to convince me to ask you out.”
“I’m glad they did,” Bernard said. “I’d thought about you for a long time.”
“I still can’t believe you thought of me so much.” Rory smiled.
Rory stared into Bernard’s eyes. So many wasted years. If he’d asked him out when he realized his feelings, Bernard wouldn’t have gone through those horrible relationships. Rory hated Jason and Tracy for what they did to him. They were heartless, and if he ever saw either of them again, he didn’t know if he could hold back.
“We’re here now, and that’s what matters,” Bernard said, squeezing his hand where it rested on the table.
Once they’d finished dessert, Rory paid, and they headed back to Gilroy.
“I hope you’ve enjoyed the day with me,” Rory said, getting out of the car.
He walked over and opened Bernard’s door for him.
“Thank you.” Bernard got out of the car.
Bernard placed his hand in Rory’s as they walked up to the porch. Anxiety filled his heart. He was going to kiss Bernard.
“I had a wonderful time,” Bernard said.
“I don’t want this night to end.”
Rory looked into Bernard’s eyes. His glasses magnified the golden specks in his brown eyes.
“Well, it’s the first night of many, I hope.”
“I know it will be the first night of so many nights together. I don’t want to be apart from you again.”
“I want you in my life. Closer than a friend,” Bernard said.
They stood on Bernard’s porch. The light illuminated their faces. Rory looked into Bernard’s eyes. He was handsome. He reached out to take both of Bernard’s hands in his.
“I’m so glad you said yes when I asked you out,” Rory said. “I was afraid you’d say no. Because I didn’t know if I’d be the right guy for you.”
“I am so glad you asked me out,” Bernard said. “You are the perfect guy for me.”
Rory leaned in, Bernard’s warm breath on his face.
“What in God’s name are you doing?” A shrill voice echoed in the cul-de-sac.
Rory jolted away from Bernard and turned to the street. Standing there in her church clothes stood his mother. Her face twisted in disgust at the sight of them.
“Mother, why are you here?” There was no reason for her to show up at Bernard’s. He didn’t even know if she knew where he lived.
“When you didn’t come to service, I got worried,” she said. “So, I checked at your place and you weren’t there.”
She stormed up the steps to face Rory.
“I figured you must have come to his house.” She pointed at Bernard. “Mr. Silva told me where he lived.”
“Mother, I…”
“I don’t want to hear it. You get home right now and we’re going to have a talk.”
