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I brush my hand down his lapel. “I don’t know, but when you tell me what thing you’d like, I’ll do it.” He shakes his head, but at least he’s smiling again.
Jocelin wanders over, his face as dark as Blakes. “Are you alright?” The question is directed at both of us, so I nod.
Blake has a different answer. “Gilbert threatened tooutStef to everyone here.” He raises an eyebrow at me. “Whyis still a mystery.”
Jocelin’s jaw tightens, and he stares into his drink. I groan, because that’s not a good sign. “What?”
“Margaret McCauley overheard parts of what Gilbert said to you. Enough to get the gist that he was pressuring you to sleep with him.”
“What?” Blake’s roar is so loud several people in the vicinity turn to stare. “I’m going to find the fucker and knock him out.”
“Don’t.” Jocelin puts his hand on Blake’s shoulder. “I’m a literary lawyer. If you go to jail for assault, I can’t represent you.”
Blake pauses for a long moment, like that’s the only reason he’s not pounding Gilbert into a lump. It takes a minute, but he finally nods. “Rip up the contract. I don’t want that piece of shit associated with my company.”
I grab Blake’s arm. “Wait, is hethatauthor? The one you’ve been struggling with?” I can’t imagine Blake working with someone like that.
Blake sighs. “Yeah.” He wipes his hands over his face and takes a deep breath. “We’ve been trying to sign him for weeks. He’s a pain in the ass, but he’s also a bestselling novelist.”
I laugh. “Yes, I know. He was quite clear about that second part.”
Blake pulls me into a tight hug, and I melt. He feels so good. So safe. “God, I’m so sorry, Stef.”
I smooth a hand down Blake’s back. “It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine. Please stop saying it’s fine.”
“Blake. Darling. I’m gender-fluid and supremely flamboyant. I’m used to dealing with all kinds of horrible behavior directed at me.”
“That doesn’t make the behavior okay, and desensitization isn’t a reason to accept it. He’s part of the damned community! None of us has avoided the hate. We should be supporting each other, not tearing each other down!”
I love that he’s so idealistic, even now. “We should. And all we can do is be good examples. Dwelling on the negative just brings stress and depression.”
“But we can’t ignore it.”
I put my hand on his cheek. “And you’re not, are you? You told Jocelin to tear up the contract. You’re taking a stand where it will make the most impact.” I can’t believe he’s doing that. For me. I push up onto my toes and kiss him. “It means the world to me.”
“Youmean the world to me, Stef, and I never want you to doubt that.”
I’m all choked up, and my heart is beating so fast I can’t catch my breath. “Oh, well, now you’ve done it.” I laugh around a sob, my eyes filling with tears that flow down my cheeks. I’m blaming emotional stress.
Jocelin clears his throat and gestures over his shoulder. “That’s my cue to leave. I’m going to get a drink. Do either of you want something from the bar?”
We both decline, and Jocelin wanders off, giving me a moment to get myself together. “Sorry. I’m a mess.”
“You’re not a mess. And feeling emotional is understandable.” He gently wipes away my tears with his thumb. “Hey.” I look up at him. “I love you, Stef.” My mouth drops open and I’m pretty sure I stop breathing. Blake just said he loves me. He lovesme. “I wanted to wait and tell you somewhere special, with a rose, or some other romantic gesture, but I need you to know right now. I love you, and I’m proud to be with you.”
My hands tremble as I bring one up to his cheek. Happy tears fall in salty droplets on my lips. “I love you too, Blake. So much.”
He kisses me so sweetly, and I swear I’m floating. “You know, I normally dread these events, but tonight has been wonderful.” He laughs. “Well, except the part where Gilbert was an ass.”
I sniff and laugh. “He can’t help it. That’s who he is.”
“Agreed. Which is why I don’t want to work with him. I shouldn’t have waited so long to decide.” Blake hugs me tightly, swaying to the music. “I’m sorry it took him hurting you to make me see the obvious.”
“Well, in a way, he did us a favor. You wouldn’t have told me you love me if he hadn’t.”
Blake’s chuckle in my ear. “I would have. Eventually. I do love you, Stef. You make me so happy.”
