“Oh…” Derek frowned. “So… you didn’t getmytext telling you I was on my way?”
Patrick shook his head, swallowing thickly. “Then… when my dad and Brian showed up at the restaurant…”
“You thought you were alone?”
He nodded, blinking back tears. His chin trembled. “Then… then you were there and…” He looked at Derek, tears shimmering. “… I wasn’t so scared anymore.”
His eyes stinging and throat lumping up, Derek smiled. “I’m glad I could be there for you.” He swallowed a couple of times, his throat squeezing tighter. “And that you felt safer with me there.”
“I did,” Patrick whispered. “I… do.”
Derek felt caught in a dream; was this really happening? Were they really heretogether?
“I, uh…” Derek cleared his throat. “I meant what I said, if you want the hotel, I’ll pay for it.”
Patrick dropped his eyes and bit his lower lip. Derek fought back a whimper.
“Did… did you mean the other thing you said?” Patrick asked with a tremor.
“What other thing?”
“About… staying with you.” He raised his lovely eyes and looked right into Derek’s soul.
Then and there, Derekfell—tumbling head over heels in love with the boy.
Trembling from head to toe, Derek nodded.
