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“What?” his boyfriend asked, amused.
“Pinch me. This day is too perfect. Must be a dream.”
Darren squeezed his hand. “No dream, love. This is happening. I got what I wanted from the program. And you’ll get what you really need.”
“Exactly,” Dorothy said. “Now, enough talking business. We have a table to find. Make sure to see us when the show is over. Your mothers are hosting a small party for you at the hotel.”
“They’re what?” Isaiah asked.
“Planning a party in your honor,” Grandfather Gage said. “Be gracious, both of you. They worked hard on this.”
“Yes, sir,” Darren said.
“Good.” He clapped Darren on the shoulder and held out his arm for his wife. “Shall we, Dorie?”
“Of course.”
Isaiah watched the happy couple cross the foyer to the theater. He wondered if in fifty years, he and Darren would still look at each other that way.
“This day is the fourth best day of my life,” Darren said.
“Fourth best? Are you kidding me? This is hands down in the top three.”
“Fourth. After the day you beat up my great-great-grandfather Darren Gage outside Jenkins’s office.”
“I’m not sure you’re romantic enough to be in control of this list. I love yous totally trump the tingles of instant attraction—wait, what’s the best day?”
“The day you kissed me.”
Fizziness spiraled through him. “A great day, but first?”
Darren folded his arms. “Absolutely.”
“Better than today?”
“Well, they’re all neck and neck, but the first kiss still wins.”
“Convince me.”
Darren leaned in and dropped his voice to a silky whisper. “That conversation could go on all night.”
Isaiah’s breath hitched. I kinda hope it does. “In that case, convince me tonight, after the party.”
“Gladly,” Darren said. “But here’s the CliffsNotes for you: You played music and you kissed me, and I knew my life would never be the same again.”
Isaiah cupped Darren’s jaw and bumped his nose. “Yeah, that’s definitely a special day.”
“Your eyes are twinkling like you know something I don’t.”
Isaiah shrugged, drew back, and fiddled with a little package in his coat pocket. “Maybe that day will stay number one, but Darren?”
“Yeah?”
“Today’s not finished yet.” Isaiah pulled the box out. “This is for you. A good-luck token before we play tonight.”
Darren looked surprised and delighted to be gifted something. “You don’t need to get me things.”
Isaiah handed him the box. “This reminded me of one of my top three days.”
Darren opened the box, and his smile could light the entire Harrison Hall. He took out the small banjo key fob and held it up to get a better look. “The day I played the banjo for you?”
“The day you took off your mask and let me see the real you.”
Darren looked at the small fob and finally wrapped his hand around it. “I love it. I love you, Isaiah. Thank you.”
“I love you, too.”
Darren moved in for a kiss, and Isaiah kissed him back. Fifty years weren’t going to be enough.
“Let’s get the show started.”
~ The End ~
