Fit for the Job (39 page)

Bodie stiffened. “Okay... What is it?”

Jay looked into his eyes, gripping his hand. “Bodie, a year ago we came to this cabin. And things were a bit...tense.”

“Just a bit,” Evelyn muttered.

“Since then,” Jay said, “we’ve started a life together, started a business, and things with us,” he glanced at Sassy, “and our friends, have calmed down quite a bit.”

Bodie grinned. “Yes. They have.”

“But,” Jay said. “I still remember the last night we spent here. Vividly. Sassy had gone to bed upset. Evelyn went in with her. And you and I went upstairs.”

“To get ca-razy,” Sassy said.

Jay turned and pointed at her. “Shut it.”

“Sorry.”

He turned back to Bodie. “But I still remember that night. I’ll never forget it. Because it was the night I realized I loved you.”

“Aw,” Bethany said, sounding choked up. “That’s so sweet.”

“Quiet,” Sassy said. “He’s not done.”

Jay took Bodie’s other hand. “I’ve been a bit nervous this week. I’m a bit nervous now. But I wanted to come back here, to this cabin. Because since that night, I’ve had the best year of my life. And that’s because of you. I want to ask, right here, with our closest friends around us...” He looked around. “And a couple newcomers, but that’s okay. I wanted to ask if you’ll consider marrying me.”

Bodie’s mouth fell open.

Sassy laughed. “Look at his face! Look at his face, he’s shocked!”

“Sassy!” Evelyn scolded. “Let the guy have a moment.”

Bodie let out a breath, looking into Jay’s eyes. “That’s why you’ve been acting weird. You’re...you’re proposing to me?”

“He’s been a wreck,” Sassy said. “I talked to him on the phone three times this week.”

“Sassy,” Evelyn said. “Let Bodie answer before you start jabbering.”

Bodie released Jay’s hands and fell back in his chair, stunned. All went quiet as the group around the fire stared at him. He was so shocked he couldn’t move for a moment. But those probing eyes around the fire—staring at him expectantly—brought him out of his haze.

He looked at Jay, taking in his hopeful, deadly serious expression, those blue eyes wide and vulnerable.

Bodie let out a short laugh, then leaned toward Jay, grabbing his face. “Yes,” he said, and kissed him. “Yes, I would absolutely love to marry you.”

“Yay!” Sassy squealed while the others clapped.

Bodie kissed Jay again, then shook his head, grinning. “Wow.”

Jay laughed. “Wow? Really?”

“So wow,” Bodie said.

“Jay, can I go get the stuff from the car? He said yes!” Sassy said.

“Yeah, Sassy.” Jay laughed. “Now you can go get it.” Jay let out a breath, patting his chest. “Whoa, I’m shaking.”

Bodie laughed. “You’re shaking? Did you think I’d say no?”

“I hoped you’d say yes, but that was still nerve-wracking.”

Sassy returned with Bethany. She held champagne and plastic glasses, handing them out. She tossed confetti over Jay and Bodie’s heads. “Congratulations! I’ve been waiting to do this all week. Evelyn, can Bethany and I have one glass of champagne? It’s a special occasion.”

“You can each have half a glass,” Evelyn said.

Jay popped the champagne cork and poured.

“To Bodie and Jay,” Evelyn said. “Long life and happiness.”

“Cheers,” Jay said, and they all drank.

“Can I be a bridesmaid, Bodie?” Sassy asked.

Bodie laughed. “Sassy, I’ve been engaged for five minutes. Let me catch up.”

“I’m so happy,” Evelyn said. She looked at Dave. “Forgive me, I won’t be able to stop smiling for a while.”

Dave laughed. “I may be the newcomer here, but I’m happy, too.” He looked out at the woods. “I kind of love this place. Look at those fireflies.”

Bodie sighed. “Yeah. It’s a perfect night.”

Sassy leaned toward Bodie, frowning. “I’m sorry. But did you just say something romantic?”

Bodie smirked at her. “I may have. But I’ll deny it if you tell your father.”

“My
father
,” Sassy said, “was more excited about this than anyone. He’s taking full credit for it, of course.”

Jay laughed. “Eben can take credit if he wants. But I’m the one who gets to keep his cousin.”

Bodie smiled, staring at the fire. “Yeah,” he said. “You do.”

They sat around the fire a while longer, then moved inside to the living room.

Sassy made them watch
Evil Dead 2
with Bruce Campbell, insisting it was the best movie ever made.

Once everyone drifted off to bed, Bodie and Jay sat alone on the couch, sipping wine. Jay turned to him. “You okay?”

“You surprised me,” Bodie said.

“I know. But is it still a yes, now that everyone’s gone?”

“It’s still a hell yes.”

Jay leaned in and they kissed deeply. Their passion hadn’t ebbed much over the past year, but right now, Bodie felt it flaming higher than it had ever been. He broke the kiss. “Can we stay in my old room?”

Jay grinned. “I was hoping you’d say that. Let’s go up.”

Jay got a candle from the kitchen, and they grabbed their bags and made their way up the stairs.

Once behind the closed door of the tiny bedroom, Jay lit the candle, and they undressed slowly, watching each other. Climbing into bed, they kissed for a long time, stroking each other’s bare skin beneath the sheets.

When their arousal reached its peak, Bodie rolled over on top of Jay, needing to be inside him. “You fucking
proposed
to me,” he said as he pressed his swollen cock into Jay, relishing his tight heat. “I can’t believe you proposed to me.”

Jay’s eyelids fluttered, and he grabbed Bodie’s ass, bringing him in tighter. “I wanted to make sure you’d never go away.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

They kissed as Bodie moved languidly against Jay, wanting to make it last, never wanting it to end. But eventually, even with the aching slowness, they both climaxed, clinging to each other.

Bodie watched Jay’s face as he came, dewy with sweat, glowing amber in the candlelight.

“You look so good right now,” Bodie said. “This is it, right here. This is home.”

Jay smiled, his breath slowing as he came down. “The cabin?”

Bodie laughed. “No. You. You’re my home.”

“You’re mine. But you’re also heavy,” Jay said.

Bodie slid off of him. “Sorry. That better?”

Jay sidled up next to him. “This is good. And it’s gonna stay good, isn’t it?”

Bodie smiled. “It’s gonna be great.” He squeezed Jay tighter. “We’re gonna have a great time together. I love you.”

Jay sighed, nuzzling into Bodie’s neck. “Love you, too. Forever.”

Bodie grinned as sleep began to take him down.
I’m getting married.

Never in his wildest dreams had he even considered such a thing. But then just over a year ago, he’d never imagined he’d have friends that he could trust, or a job that was fun and challenging without being too stressful. He’d never imagined he could be in love—never mind in love with someone amazing who loved him back. Loved him enough to propose marriage...

Bodie had had great lows in his life. And since meeting Jay, great highs. But the best part now was, the highs weren’t going to end.

The assuredness of that gave him a deep contentment. Every day would be a new chance to make memories as perfect as this one. And he was looking forward to finding out what each day would bring.

Forever.

THE END

About the Author

Darien Cox lives in New England, bouncing back and forth between the mountain and the ocean states, anywhere there’s a wave or a ski slope. A nature lover and thrill seeker, he enjoys exploring the intensity, insanity, humor and chaos that accompanies cupid’s arrow, whether it’s love at first sight or just the overwhelming power of lust. Mystery, thriller, and paranormal elements are occasionally tossed in to further spice up the mix, because let’s face it—sometimes the world is not enough.

Find Darien online at dariencox.com.

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