Page 78 of Follows with Intent

Jadon looked a question at him.

“Don’t ask,” Nico said. “It’s too much. This is still the honeymoon phase.”

That made Jadon laugh, but all he said was “A date, huh?”

“At least one.”

“A real one.”

“It has to be a real one. We can’t eat barbeque and jerk each other off.”

“I kind of liked that one, but yeah, it might be a little early in the morning for barbeque.”

One of the bits of tofu was the perfect size, and it hit Jadon in the cheek.

Laughing, he wiped his face. “All right, here we go.”

“Let me change.”

“Nope, no changing.”

“Jadon, it’s a date. I have to change.”

“You told me twice this morning that you’re looking forward to not getting out of your pajamas—what did you say? ‘Ever again in this lifetime’?”

“That was before I knew you were taking me to one of the city’s fanciest restaurants.”

“Nice try.”

“Tickets to a sold-out musical that’s been sweeping the country.”

Jadon got out of the chair, took Nico’s hands, and pulled him to his feet.

“I meant on a riverboat cruise,” Nico said.

“Yes, Nico, I’m taking you on a riverboat cruise this morning.”

“I changed my mind. I don’t want to go on a real date.”

It was lucky for Jadon that Nico’s pajamas, that morning, consisted of Wroxall sweatpants and a tank that said nothing but I LOVE and then had a silhouette of a rooster. Sneakers and a jacket completed the outfit, at least temporarily, and he let Jadon chivvy him out to the car.

They drove in comfortable silence. Jadon put on music, and after a couple of songs by Bob Vylan and Better than Bullets, a familiar song came on.

“Is this Kumbia Queers?”

Jadon shrugged. “You said you liked them. I thought I’d give them a try. I like them.”

Nico settled back into his seat. A few minutes later, he realized he was still smiling.

Then Green Day came on, and he had to take away all of Jadon’s points.

The sky was blue and clear, and it made Nico think of how glass could look blue sometimes. The rain had moved out, and in its place, the sun shone down, warming the November day. They drove along the Mississippi, and the river was muddy and riffled with light. Ahead of them, the Arch caught the sun and became incandescent.

“The Arch?” Nico asked when Jadon exited the highway and headed toward the structure. “Really?”

“Have you ever been?”

“No.”

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