“Zane lay where he was, unable to move even if he’d wantedto. He snaked a hand across the short distance between themand slid his fingers into Ty’s. Ty’s hand closed around his witha gentle squeeze.“I just need to be able to trust you, Ty,” he whispered.“You can. I swear you can. I’d die for you, Zane.”Zane’s heart was in his throat as he studied Ty’s profile. “Iknow.”

“I just need to be able to trust you, Ty,” he whispered. “You can. I swear you can. I’d die for you, Zane.” Zane’s heart was in his throat as he studied Ty’s profile. “I know.”

“Zane swallowed hard as he slid his hand to take Ty’s and lace theirfingers together. “Are you feeling this, too?” he asked, echoing what they’dasked each other months ago, only to have it pushed aside. But not forgotten.”

“Ty’s knee occasionally brushed against his under the table as they ate, but the conversation died down as the food was passed around. It was an odd, remarkable feeling, to be eating breakfast with Ty and his family and feel not only welcome, but like he might belong there.”--Zane”

“It was now or never. Zane took a slow, deep breath and ducked his chin, tilted his head sideways, and slid his lips firmly against Ty’s.”

“Why a compass?” Ty asked. He hadn’t taken his eyes off Zane’s yet.Zane smiled and ran his thumb across the pendant. “Because you gave me direction when I was lost. You showed me the way.” He looked up to meet Ty’s eyes. “You’re like my very own compass.”

“Ty laughed, a carefree, boyish sound, and glanced to his side, distracted by what he saw. “You moved the rug.”“I kitty-cornered it.”“Why would you do that?” Ty asked, aghast.“To see you lose your shit when you got home.” Zane leaned closer, grinning evilly. “There are other things out of order too. Books not alphabetized. Coffee mug handles facing different directions.” He lowered his voice to a whisper as Ty’s eyes widened in horror. “The closet isn’t color coded.”“You’re just watching the world burn, huh?”Zane laughed.“God I missed you.” Ty said in a rush of breath.”