“About what?”
“He said I was sabotaging myself, my relationship with you, and he’s right.”
“I don’t understand. Why?”
Sloane took Dex’s hand and led him over to the couch. He took the rose from Dex and carefully laid it on the coffee table before turning to him. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot. I think I’m just scared this is all an illusion. That any day I might wake up and find myself alone and empty inside, without you. That scares the hell out of me. I’ve never been as happy as I am when I’m with you. I’ve never had a home, a family, the possibility of maybe one day… starting my own family.”
Dex swallowed hard. “I had no idea you’d been thinking about all that.”
“I have. I thought maybe we were moving too fast, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized, this is what I want. You’re what I want.”
Dex couldn’t help his dopey smile. His expression softened, and he ran a hand up Sloane’s arm. “Maybe next time, when you start feeling unsure or scared, you can talk to me about it.”
“I can do that. I know I’ve broken a lot of promises, and I don’t deserve all the chances you’ve given me, but I understand now.” Sloane put his hand to Dex’s cheek, his amber eyes filled with so much love. “I don’t ever want to be where you’re not.”
“I’d like you to do something for us,” Dex said, trying not to sound as nervous as he felt.
“Anything.”
“I want to put the house in both our names.”
Sloane’s beautiful smile squeezed at Dex’s heart and took his breath away.
“Okay.”
“Really?”
“Yes. If it’s important to you, it’s important to me. I’m serious about our life together.”
Dex couldn’t help how ridiculously happy he felt. He didn’t want them to be two people who lived together, whose lives happened to be heading in the same direction. He wanted them to be a family, for this to be their lives together, moving toward a future together. “I want this to be our home.”
“It already is.” Sloane kissed his cheek, and Dex’s heart almost burst. “Come on. I made you dinner. One of your favorites. Homemade fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and biscuits.”
Dex all but melted against Sloane. “You’re amazing.”
“I asked Darla for her recipe.”
Dex gasped. “Wait, you made Darla Summers’s homemade Southern fried chicken?”
Sloane nodded. “And gravy, and biscuits, and fried green tomatoes.”
Dex launched himself at Sloane, knocking them both back onto the couch. Sloane laughed as Dex planted kisses all over his face.
“Maybe I should have just started my apology with the fried chicken,” Sloane said with a laugh.
“If I didn’t love Darla’s fried chicken so much I would totally sex you up right now. I really want to sex you up.” Dex was torn. He wanted to jump Sloane’s bones. Not only had he made Dex one of his favorite meals, but Sloane had used a recipe from Calvin’s mom, who was the queen of Southern cooking. The woman needed to have her own supermarket brand or a cooking show.
“I couldn’t be so cruel as to make you choose.” Sloane got up, Dex straddling his leg. He gave Dex’s buttcheek a squeeze through his jeans. “Also, I know the second I tell you my next surprise, I don’t stand a chance.”
Dex’s mouth watered. Could it be? “You mean….”
“I called her up, told her what a bad boy I’ve been, and could she pretty please help me make my boyfriend love me again. So she made her famous pecan pie.”
Dex threw his arms around Sloane and placed a sloppy wet kiss on Sloane’s cheek before purring, making him chuckle. “You’re my favorite.”
Sloane got up, carrying Dex in his arms. “I like being your favorite.” He carried Dex into the dining room. The table had been set up beautifully. “Everything’s keeping warm in the oven.” He placed Dex on his feet and kissed the tip of his nose. “I love you, Batman.”
Dex threw his head