Page 23 of To Cuddle A Gremlin

Isadore: Honestly. I enjoyed all of them. You’re funny and intriguing. You make me laugh.

Sebastian: So I was considering going to a local hiking trail called Waite’s Falls. It’s a little challenging, but the view is so worth the hike. That area is one of my most favourite thinking spots.

Isadore: Oh? Tell me more.

Sebastian: This isn’t a dumb idea?

Isadore: I really like it. I’d love to see more of you, more locations outside Granite. Everything I’ve seen is still so… tainted.

Sebastian: I get it. SO many places have been marked by the King in Yellow.

Isadore: I wasn’t here until near the end, but his filth still radiates.

Sebastian: I want to apologize for blowing up at you earlier.

Isadore blinked at the screen. The last interaction he had with Sebastian had ended on a positive note. So he thought.

Isadore: What do you mean? We’re fine.

Sebastian: Yeah. But I was rude to you and then I kissed you without consent. It wasn’t right.

Isadore: Goddamn, man. That kiss was fucking explosive. You can’t take it back. I refuse to let you. I ache for more. Next time I see you, it’s gonna be payback to the nth degree.

Isadore cringed. Was he too demanding? Sebastian was a reserved man, and to explain to him how much Isadore wanted to push him against a wall might be a bit much.

Sebastian: Impossible. You don’t have to lie to me.

Isadore: I am totally not. Just wait and see.

Sebastian: So the next nice weekend, I can pick you up, and we can go to the trailhead. Is that okay?

Isadore: Tell me the day and I will be there.

Isadore pressed his palms against his eyes, ready to fight the demons surrounding Sebastian. So much was going against him, but Isadore was determined. Sebastian was his future. Nothing was going to change that, not even the man himself.

Sebastian:

The heart emoji spoke of Sebastian’s change toward the better since they met. His brief but sincere token of affection gave Isadore strength. He had to stand tall against Sebastian’s anxiety.

CHAPTER 11

Crash: I think the date idea was a good one

Kazmier: You never told me what you were going to do. Share with the world, friend.

Crash: No way, I’d jinx it. I can’t jinx it. This means too much to me. I want this to succeed so much. Just offer me good vibes and stuff.

Kazmier: Of course, man. I’ll send you a cute minion to help out.

Crash: Do not give me one of those ultra rares. They’re yours!

Kazmier: You can’t stop me. Nothing you say will change my mind. I am sending you all the things because you should have all the good luck. You deserve this. Please?

Crash: The date’s going to be fun. I will have the best day of my life.

Kazmier: Go get ’em, tiger.

Sebastian blinked at the small chat window on his iPad. Talking to Kazmier was eerily familiar, but he couldn’t put his finger on why. He hadn’t wanted to share with Kazmier about his idea because Isadore was still so special to him. Sebastian accepted being outdoors was low on the list of date ideas, so he braced himself for Sammi to roll her eyes. He didn’t want to deal with Kazmier’s eager nosiness.

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