Chapter 28
Nantes
Three Months Later
“Bends.”
I look up from stacking empty pastry trays to see a frantic Vanian standing in the doorway of the tasting room.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He looks around, then blows out a breath. “Not wrong, just…”
I put the trays down and walk over to him. “What’s going on?”
“They found him. Fetterman,” he whispers. “Someone noticed a bunch of scavenger birds hanging around the place and called it in.”
My heart races. “Is that bad?”
He shakes his head, but he still looks distressed until he steps into my arms. As I wrap my arms around him, he practically melts, and seconds later, his body starts to tremble and I realize he’s crying.
“Whoa, okay.” I rub his back. “I got you.”
After a few moments, he steps back, wiping his tear-stained cheeks. “It’s a relief. I think I was holding my breath without knowing it. I can finally close the book on this.” He hands me his phone. “Here’s the article.”
I scan the details. Cause of death is unknown, and without any evidence, an investigation is unlikely. They found his car at the bar where we met him, but no one they questioned remembered him that night or anything helpful about who he might have been with.
“They don’t have cameras at that bar,” Vanian says. “No one talks there anyway, even if someone remembers. But they probably don’t.”
“That’s good.”
“He was identified by his ID. Nothing else was left. They’ll never know what happened and his family chose to cremate him.” His shoulders drop. “I’m free.”
“I’m so happy for you. The thing in Chicago too.”
“It seems someone picked up where I left off.”
“And all the while, you’ve been here in Madison.” I drape my arms around his shoulders. “Loving me.”
“I’m a lucky man, Bends. Everything worked out much better than I hoped for.”
I brush my fingers along the edge of his jaw, prickly with stubble.
Since he made the decision to stay here, things really have slotted into place.
His company didn’t want to lose him, so they offered him a transfer to the adult side of things to work remotely.
Instead of trauma, he focuses on helping people navigate queer identities and neurodiversity.
So far, he seems to really like it, and it’s far less triggering.
We haven’t made any official announcements to my family except for telling them that Vanian decided to relocate here, and my brothers, Brogan, and Balt were all on hand to help us move his stuff from Chicago.
I’m pretty sure they think we’re still just best friends like we were as kids.
Either that, or they are actually respecting my privacy and not asking me anything.
“Are you almost done here?” he asks.
“Yep.” I glance at my watch. “Gotta be back in forty minutes for dinner though. Brogan’s birthday.”
“I remember. Come on.”
I put the trays away and then walk out with Vanian. Just before we make it out, the front door opens and Nonna enters carrying a basket of cut flowers.
“Hi, Nonna.” I bend and kiss her cheek. “Need any help?”
Her bright eyes shift to Vanian as she shakes her head. “Nope. Just cut some flowers from the garden for the table.”
“We’ll help weed this weekend,” Vanian offers.
“Good. It’s almost the end of the season. I have to prepare the beds for winter.”
“See you soon. We’re just going home to change.”
“See you soon.” She winks at Vanian again, then walks away.
“Is she up to something?” I ask.
“What do you mean?”
“She winked at you.”
“She does that every time I see her.” He chuckles. “I always feel like I have a secret with her that only she knows about.”
“That checks out.”
We hurry back to the house, and after a quick shower and shared hand jobs, we dress for dinner. I honestly can’t believe this is my life sometimes. Gone are the long, stressful hours at the hospital, the lonely nights and sporadic hookups that left me more empty than satisfied.
Now I spend every day with the man who has always been my best friend. Even the years we drifted apart didn’t fray our bond at all. We took it to the next level, and I’ve never been happier.
As we step outside again, I inhale the early autumn air. It’s still pretty warm, and the sun is shining. I love this time of year.
By the time we reach the house, there are several cars there—one I recognize as Giuliano’s and one I don’t recognize at all. We enter the house already buzzing with voices, and my chest swells with happiness and pride that I get to be part of this amazing family.
In the dining room, everyone busies themselves setting the table and the food out. I’m handed a pitcher of water while Vanian takes a bread basket. As I set the water down, Brogan bounces over to Vanian and the two of them whisper together for a moment. No clue what that’s about.
We settle at the table, and I finally notice the new face at the table next to Brogan.
“Everyone,” Brogan says, “this is my friend, Aspen, he/him. Aspen, the whole crew.”
Aspen smiles and waves at everyone. “Thanks for having me.”
The way Aspen’s gaze settles on my cousin definitely goes deeper than friendship. I hope it’s finally Brogan’s turn for love. They have such a huge heart.
We dig into the food, and while I enjoy the many conversations around the table, I take a moment to just appreciate it all.
A few minutes in, Vanian taps his knife on his water glass. I turn to him, raising my eyebrows in confusion as everyone quiets down.
“Thanks.” Vanian winks at me. “I wasn’t gonna make a big deal of this, but I realized I wouldn’t get a word in edgewise unless I did.”
Everyone chuckles.
“Thanks, Brogan, for letting me take a little bit of your special night.”
“My pleasure.”
“What’s going on?” I ask.
Vanian doesn’t answer me, but instead, he wraps my hand in his, holding mine on the table where everyone can see.
“I’m sure it’s no secret to anyone paying attention that Nantes and I are close. Even more than we were as kids.”
My chest tightens. What is he doing?
“Don’t worry,” he whispers to me before turning back to my family. “I’m grateful for all of you. You’ve always treated me like one of your own.”
“Because you are,” Nonna says sweetly.
Vanian smiles, bowing his head slightly. “Three months ago, I left Chicago for a much-needed break. Either a stroke of luck or fate brought me and Nantes together again, and this time, it’s for good.”
My eyes widen. “Van…”
He turns to me, meeting and holding my gaze. “I’m absolutely, one hundred percent, madly in love with him. I want to spend my life with him, wherever that is, because he makes me better. He makes me want to be the man he deserves.”
Giuliano grins while Deo gives me a thumbs-up.
“Nantes.”
I turn back to Vanian.
“I wanted to tell your family because I want you to know I’m all in. This is the life I want, and I need everyone to know that in spite of my flaws, in spite of the direction our lives took, this is where I’m supposed to be. With you. I love you big, Bends.”
I’m not even embarrassed as tears stream down my cheeks and I wrap my arms around him. He kisses me sweetly before pulling back slightly.
“Whatever my future is, it’s yours.”
Nodding, I cup his face. “And mine is yours.”
“’Bout damn time,” Nonna says, holding her glass of wine up. “A toast. To this amazing family and how it continues to grow in love.”
I notice how Brogan glances at Aspen and Giuliano does the same to Jacob. We clink our glasses while my dad says, “Salut.” My heart is full, and I can’t wait to get him home. I’m gonna ride him until the sun comes up.
Once everyone returns to their conversations, Vanian squeezes my hand. “I hope you didn’t mind being the center of attention for a few minutes.”
“Not for that. Way to make a statement.”
“I’d put up a billboard to prove my love to you.”
“You don’t have to prove it. It’s obvious.” I lean in close, acting nonchalant as I cut into my pork chop. “By the way, I’m so horny I can barely sit straight.”
Vanian chuckles. “I know just the cure.”
“You sure do.”
He lifts my hand and kisses the back of it. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us. It’s gonna be good, isn’t it?”
“The best.”
“We should visit my folks. Maybe Thanksgiving. I think they should know too. What do you say, Bends? You up for another adventure?”
“Count me in.” I squeeze his knee under the table. “Always.”
Vanian nods, holding my gaze. “Always.”
Want more Vanian and Nantes? Click here to get a bonus scene that happens a couple of years after the events of the book. It’s a little steamy and maybe something else.
Bonus scene