Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

ever see sex as something normal after so many years of abstinence."
    Javier smiled and declared enthusiastically.
    "That makes you my perfect partner."
    "I don't know, Javier. This is unexpected for me, and I'm used to planning my life to the smallest detail."
    Javier sulked, and said, "It's because of the virus, right?"
    Esteban surprised him when he leaned forward and hugged him, pressing his cheek to Javier's face, but keeping their lower bodies separated.
    "Listen, Javier, if we ever do it, there is safe sex is for this type of case, right?"
    "Yes, there is, but there is always a risk, and I would never date anyone who is HIV negative. I'm sorry for being this bold, when I know this might be so awkward to you."
    Esteban shook his head. "Your HIV status is the least of my worries, I can live with that."
    "Are you sure?"
    "Yes. I need time to think about if I want to share my life with you, that's all. If I decide to give us a chance, I won't be a coward again, it won't be easy, but I'm willing to give it a try."
    This time Javier wasn't so sure anymore. "But the risk…"
    "I'll take the chance if I think we could have a future together."
    "And if you don't?"
    "I'll leave you alone to find someone who can make you happy."
    Feeling Esteban's warm body so close, Javier muttered. "Perhaps, I'm not worthy of you."
    Esteban broke the embrace, and looking him in the eyes, cupped Javier's face in his hand while stroking his skin with the thumb from the same hand.
    "You are so worthy for me that I want the best for you, and I don't think I'm the best you can get. You're still young, and you can do better."
    Then slowly he leaned forward and tentatively pressed his lips over Javier's mouth. The tender kiss lasted only seconds, and without another word, Esteban walked away and went down stairs.
    Esteban kissed him!
    Javier stayed in the same spot long after Esteban was gone. That was all he could think of, and he hadn't reacted in time. If he ever got that close to him again, Javier wasn't going to let it go so easy.
    CHAPTER 7
    During the following weeks, it seemed as if Esteban had given up on him. He'd stayed mostly at his parent's house, and when he came around, they were never alone. More than once, Javier caught Esteban watching him when he thought nobody noticed and it wasn't Javier's imagination, there was a longing in Esteban's gaze that contradicted his actions, as if he said with his eyes what his mouth held back.
    The press problem was solved after Esteban let them follow him around on a couple of occasions. Javier had watched on the local news how the reporter complained of Esteban's stoicism; nothing she had said seemed to impress the former priest. Diego had laughed at her astounded expression as the TV crew followed Esteban, who ignored them and walked as if they were ghosts he couldn't perceive.
    The last time she covered him, she practically closed the case saying that his quitting the church probably had been a coincidence, and that she would be covering the trial, which was the real news.
    Javier reflected on the news against his own situation with Esteban as a real impossibility. The man had a will of steel and few things really touched him. He considered himself lucky because he'd witnessed a weakness nobody else had.
    The following week Javier started working with Diego at the Hidalgo's Foundation, where Esteban was in charge of the legal department. A job he had done part time, but now was his only one. Javier wondered if he would stay around or travel like he said he wanted to do.
    Little by little, Javier had started to know the Hidalgo family. Some were nicer than others, but all had welcomed him.
    One day Diego told him, "Javier, listen, I'm trying to help here, but you must let me help you."
    "I'm okay. I don't know why you are so concerned."
    "Because it has been more than a year since my brother died, and you're still mourning like it was yesterday."
    "Diego, I loved Mauricio."
    Javier wanted to be honest and confess he was sad for someone else's absence, but didn't feel like speaking about Esteban yet.
    Diego frowned, and Javier worried that he offended his brother-in-law. His next words kind of confirmed that.
    "He was my only brother, and I miss him too. You have no idea how many times I reached for my phone to call him during those first days. I knew he was dead, but a part of me refused to admit it, and continued thinking of things I wanted to share."
    "I'm sorry, Diego."
    "No, don't be.