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“Christ, you’re insufferable,” Edwin said before looking over at Agnes. “Are you certain he’s the one for you?”
“Unfortunately,” Agnes replied.
William pretended to be offended while Edwin and Andrew laughed. And then Andrew came over to Edwin. He moved to take Edwin’s free hand, but hesitated.
“I wonder how they’ll react to news of the two of us next,” Andrew said.
Edwin took Andrew’s hand. “Doesn’t matter. I’m keeping you, regardless.”
Andrew hummed happily. “I love you,” he said, lacing their fingers together.
“I love you too, my Andrew,” Edwin replied.
William shook his head in what was clearly mock chastisement. “Keep your love a little more inconspicuous, please. At least until my parents can fully absorb what Edwin confessed to them not fifteen minutes ago.”
Edwin lifted Andrew’s hand, kissed it, and let go.
“One earth-shattering revelation at a time it is,” he said.
“Thank you,” William said, chuckling. After a pause, he raised his eyebrows a few times in rapid succession. “Now, who wants to celebrate with some whiskey?”
***
Later that evening, as the sun began to set, Edwin and Andrew returned to the boarding house together. Before they reached the third floor, Edwin paused on the landing of the second. Just like the third floor, there were two rooms, one on either side of the stairwell, though the second floor had a hallway closet as well.
Edwin had first had the idea of moving in with Andrew during the snowstorm, and he had inquired about the layout when he and Andrew had returned to the boarding house soon after. He’d asked about the cost to rent the space for a business as well. He hadn’t told Andrew about it yet, though, mostly because he hadn’t been sure whether or not Mr. and Mrs. Whitney’s reaction to his revelation might force them all to leave Albany. He hadn’t wanted Andrew to become too excited about the prospect of him moving into the boarding house and starting a business there. But now, Edwin felt confident that, someday, with enough luck, he’d be able to save up the money to make it work.
“Andrew?” Edwin asked as he walked over to one of the three closed doors.
Andrew paused, his hand resting on the banister.
“Hm?”
“Would you mind if I lived here someday?”
Andrew’s eyebrows shot up.
“You’d want to rent a bedroom here in the boarding house?” Andrew asked, starting over to him.
“Not exactly. I was thinking that . . . well, if you’re amenable to it, perhaps we could share your bedroom. And I could rent one of these rooms for my tailoring business.” Edwin’s cheeks warmed. “Although, there are obviously two rooms here. Both are available. I could rent the second one for a bedroom instead, if you think that would be more prudent. After all, we’ve only been together for a little while, so I completely understand if—”
“Goodness, no. Edwin, I would love to live with you!” Andrew exclaimed.
He placed his hands on Edwin’s waist. Edwin let out a breath of relief and smiled.
“Thank God,” he said through a chuckle. “Because there’s nothing that I’d love more than to live with you as well.”
They shared a kiss.
“Your own tailoring business,” Andrew said in wonderment.
“Hopefully. I’ll have to save up a lot of money first in order for me to get started. I’m not sure how I’ll manage it.”
“Between the conservatory and the studio, I know you will. And I’d be happy to help, too. Maybe I can start traveling on occasion. Offer my photography services in the surrounding towns. I’ve heard of people setting up tents outdoors when the weather is nice. I can offer to take people’s photographs in some of the parks.”
“I’ll come with you whenever I can. Whenever I’m able to leave the conservatory for a while. Springtime might be a little hectic. But in the summer, maybe, especially if the trips are short.”
“Oh, that would be perfect,” Andrew said cheerily, his smile now so wide his eyes were crinkling in the corners.
