I asked you:

What are we doing here together,
in a place that we despise,
surrounded by people we cannot stand?

You told me:

We are living the life you’ve always wanted.
Everyone here either loves you loudly
or hates you and would never dare say it.

Your wife is beautiful
and they are envious.
If you kissed me now,
here, in front of everyone,
two women and three men of the
group that love you would grow to despise you.
And those of which hate you would find themselves
more steadfast in that feeling.

Your book is amazing.
They all loved it.
Some hated that they loved it.
And that is why we are here, habibi.

For Love.

From behind you I whispered into your diamond encrusted ear:
The only love I need is yours.

You reached behind you,
grabbing the back of my head,
and bringing me close.

You turned
and looked at me with eyes that
pleaded for me to not be
dishonest with myself.

Our lips met and room went quiet.
Their eyes grew wide with an insatiable hunger

and I fell in love with being loved, again.