Page 99 of Romance Languages

Amos: But did you succeed?

Chase: Point taken.

* * *

My grandparents livedin a big house that they’d owned back when this town was mostly farmland. They had an expansive backyard decked out with tables, a buffet station, and a bar. The weather forecast was for a lovely spring day with bright blue skies. So much for fretting over finding a tent.

I’d bought myself a new outfit for the party. I wore a baby-blue button-down shirt with a tweed vest over it and matching pants. The vest did a great job of acting like Spanx, i.e., making my midsection into one solid block. For an accent, I pinned an orange rose to the lapel. Other people here wore suits and nice pastel dresses. I appreciated being slightly different.

Across the lawn, Mom and Dad were engaged in a fun conversation with family friends. Mom was aglow, loving the socializing and the attention. She looked beautiful, the type of effortless beauty that took loads of prep. She glanced my way, her stern eyes landing on me.

I turned away, suddenly feeling self-conscious about my suit, my hair, my shoes. Maybe she was right about everything. Seamus wasn’t here, after all.

“You look so handsome!” Grandma pulled me to her and kissed my cheek. She stepped back to take me in, her eyes misting up. “My grandson. My wonderful, wonderful grandson.”

“Happy anniversary.” I kissed her back and shook my grandfather’s hand. He was a man of few words, unless the conversation came to military history or the stock market. He’d let Grandma have the reins, and he was along for the ride.

Grandfather retreated into the crowd. Grandma stayed holding my hands and beaming into my eyes. She might’ve been eighty, but she was full of vitality. I wanted her to give a lesson to my students about how youth shouldn’t be wasted on the young.

“This party is beautiful. Thank you, Julian. It would’ve turned into a barrel of shit if I hadn’t had your help.”

“I’m glad I could do this for you.”

“Lord knows your mother wasn’t able to help. She gets so frazzled about organizing things.”

My stomach twisted at the mention of Mom. I wasn’t used to fighting with her. Our relationship was built on her saying outrageous things, and me holding in my feelings.

“Where’s the guy?”

And there it was. The inevitable question of today. The question of my life.

I had practiced my answer in the car on the way over, a diplomatic way of letting her know Seamus and I were over. Yet when I stared into Grandma’s hopeful eyes, I knew the truth would put a damper on her afternoon. She was rooting for me. I didn’t want to let her down.

“He had to help his dad with something. He’ll be here later.”

A lie and a false promise. That would be Future Julian’s problem. Poor guy.

A smile stretched across her face. “I really like him. He’s a good guy.”

“Thanks,” I said, my heart sagging.

“I mean it. I’ve been around for a while. I’ve seen my fair share of couples who didn’t make it, boyfriends who we all knew were terrible from the get-go, but we had to keep our mouths shut. You got a good one, Julian.”

My throat went tight, the air suddenly stifling. I nodded and kissed her cheek, then made my way to the bar. I couldn’t bring myself to order a drink just yet, so I went with water.

I had to send an update to the group chat.

Julian: Well, my grandma asked about Seamus, and I said…he’d be here later. Party foul. I’m too stressed to drink.

Amos: I’m sure if you called Seamus, he’d show up and play along.

Julian: I’m not doing that.

Everett: The alcohol will be there later if you change your mind, but I suppose you’re doing the right thing. Having a meltdown at a public party only works for ingenues in romcoms.

Chase: There was a study that said that certain forms of stress can mimic the effects of drunkenness on the brain.

Julian: So no matter what, I’ll be smashed today?

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