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Dylan’s breath caught in his chest for a millisecond. “Who is this them that you’re spooning in the mornings? You’re doing it not to watch them sleep but for some other reason?” Dylan grinned. “I’m hurt.”
“I’m not sure who I hate more. You or the English language and its ambiguity with misplaced modifiers.”
“Definitely me. So, when you introduce me tonight, you’re going to say, ‘Hello, please meet my brilliant and successful boyfriend, Dylan?’”
“That I hate.”
“Obviously. Does the boyfriend label mean I can get extra tacos?”
“You’re so needy.”
“And a Diet Mountain Dew.”
“Your eating habits make me want to die. Scratch that—your eating habits are going to make you actually die.”
“I just ate an apple.”
“Yesterday. Goddamn it, Dylan.”
“So, what you’re saying is the point of this entire conversation about hating me, is that you—uh, like me?”
“Obviously.” Derek kissed him. “Kay?”
“Kay.”
A few minutes later, Derek stood facing the door of his childhood home, but he didn’t reach for the doorknob.
“Do you usually just go in or knock?”
“Normally, I just go in, but now there’s a man in there, and I’m not sure if I should still be treating this like my house too, or like her house with this new guy.”
After enduring several moments of Derek’s renewed indecision, Dylan pushed the doorbell.
“Dylan.”
“Derek. Babe, it took ten minutes to get you out of the car when we got here. While at least five of those minutes were extremely enjoyable, now I’m hungry.”
Derek laughed in spite of himself. “How do you always make everything easier?”
Dylan blushed as the door swung open.
Chapter 41
Derek’s mom hugged and kissed him before focusing all her attention on Dylan.
“This is Dylan—”
“Angela.” His mom pulled Dylan into a welcoming squeeze as well.
“Dylan’s my boyfriend.” The last word came out hoarse, not because he had trouble saying it but because he was temporarily distracted by what was on his mother’s hand. Specifically, the diamond the size of a marble sparkling on it. Given that this particular rock could probably be seen from the International Space Station, both Dylan and Derek were justified in staring as it caught the porchlight.
“Yes, Derek, I figured that was who this was.” The corner of her mouth twitched.
Derek cleared his throat. “That ring. Whoa—”
“Isn’t it beautiful? Finally got it back from the jeweler today. Had to get it resized.” She held it up.
“Gorgeous.” Dylan leaned forward to admire it.