As we start toward the café, he glances over at me. “We're probably going to be here late tonight.”
“Figured as much.”
“Chance went to pick up Tyler and help him get the collection transported over.”
My excitement immediately spikes. “Yesss! I can’t wait to see everything.”
Anthony nods. “Me too, but there's a lot to set up. You okay with staying late?”
I look at him like he's lost his mind. “Anthony.”
“What?”
I shove his shoulder. “You couldn't keep me away if you tried.”
We grab our coffees and claim a small table near the windows overlooking the hotel courtyard. The second we sit down, Anthony says, “I'm sorry.”
My brows zip together. “For what?”
He sighs and wraps both hands around his coffee cup. “Since Chance came back, it's been a whirlwind. Us finding our way back together, opening the agency and THRIVE, planning a wedding…and now we have two babies.” A soft smile pulls at his mouth before he looks down at the cardboard sleeve around his cup. “I just haven't been there for you. I haven't been a good friend.”
I shake my head immediately. “No.”
Anthony looks up. “No?”
“You don't owe me an apology.” I lean back in my chair. “I've never felt like you wouldn't be there if I asked.”
His expression softens. “Still.”
“Nah.” I wave him off. “You've had a lot going on.” I take a sip of coffee and smirk. “And you're in looooove.”
Anthony's entire face changes. It's subtle. Most people probably wouldn't notice. But I know him. The guarded, sharp-edged guy I met years ago is still there, but now there's something warm underneath it all. Something steady. Something happy. The love is written all over his face.
Then he points at me. “So are you.”
I blink. Once. Twice. Then I groan and drop my elbows onto the table before burying my face in my hands. “Oh my God.”
Anthony starts laughing.
“I am.” My voice comes out muffled. “I so am.”
His laughter gets louder. I finally sit back up.
“I’m going to tell you something,” he says, shaking his head. “You know me better than most, Butters.”
That makes my heart smile. “Hell yeah, I do.”
“You know how closed off I was.”
“I do.” I nod. “You're like a completely different person now.”
A thoughtful look settles over his face. “It was a journey.” He stares at his coffee for a moment. “A journey I'm still on.” Then he smiles softly. “And I had a very patient man helping me dismantle those walls one brick at a time.”
“Chance.”
Anthony nods. “As you know, circumstances beyond our control split us apart for a while.” I nod. There isn't much either of us can say about that. “But everything Chance showed me loving another man could be...” He pauses. “That stayed with me. Even when he was gone.” His eyes drift toward the window. “It gave me the strength to keep tearing those walls down anyway.” A small smile touches his mouth. “I'm thankful every single day things turned out the way they did.”
I grin. “I'm really happy for you, man.”
