Chapter 15

“Yes, yes, it would be my honor to be your best man. I’m very happy for you two, but may I ask, have you thought about this thing all the way through?”

Mikhail nodded. “Yes, I have. We’ve been friends since we were ten. Together we got jobs in the same restaurant at fourteen. We became intimate at sixteen.” He wiped a few tears and sucked a deep breath in. “We had some hard times. I regret them. If I knew then what I know now, of course, things would be different, but—”

Solomon hugged Mikhail and pecked his cheek. “It was me who was the biggest dolt. I was an idiot. I don’t know why you want me, but I love you and I want you. Forever and ever.”

Solomon was happy. The happiest in many years. He forced himself to stop thinking about the angry words and breakup so many years ago. He smiled. Jimmy was his best friend on the ship, and he was happy to share him with Mikhail.