John rolled his eyes. “Honestly, sometime I think you’re convinced we’re characters in a Mark Twain novel.”

Zack gaped. “You mean we’re not?”

John laughed and gave him an affectionate squeeze.

Zack feathered light kisses along John’s jaw. “There’s one other thing we should talk about.”

John grunted an acknowledgment.

“About what I said . . . about loving you . . .”

“It’s okay. I know it was an accident.”

“It was at the time, yes, but since then I’ve realized I meant it.” Zack’s voice was steady despite the anxiety humming through him. “I love you, John. And I’m not saying that because I want you to say it back. You don’t have to say anything at all. I just want you to know that I do, and that I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

John’s smile was radiant. “Thank you. And Zack?” He kissed him. “I love you too.”

Zack’s heart somersaulted. “Really?”

“Really. Though we can’t get too complacent. There’s still one major hurdle in our way.”

“What’s that?”

John arched a mischievous brow at him. “Remember what I told you about my childhood?”

“Yes.”

“And the fancy boarding schools I went to, and the horses, and the elitist rich people?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Well, you’d better start practicing your curtsy, darling.” John flashed a grin. “You still have to meet my parents.”

Zack stared at him, openmouthed in horror. He’d known that John had parents, of course, but the abysmal reality had failed to sink in until just now.

He swallowed thickly. “Maybe we should break up after all.”

They broke into a fit of giggles that quickly became full-blown laughter. Zack held on to John as their bare chests heaved. It took a minute, but eventually they quieted and lay together, breathing in unison. Though Zack felt more at peace than he had in days, there was still one last question he needed to ask.

“Not to spoil the mood or anything,” he said, “but you’re right: we do have a long way to go. I mean, you still have to meet my family—good luck there—and I have to find a new job, and you have to graduate, and we have to live happily ever after, blah blah blah. We’ve been through so much already. Are you sure . . . I mean, are you certain you want to do this? With me?”

Zack held his breath, though he was confident he knew the answer.

A slow, sweet smile spread across John’s face. He took Zack’s hand and laced their fingers together. “I’ve never wanted anything more in my life. I’ll gladly make this journey if you’ll make it with me. All right?”