Page 84 of Romance Languages

“What about it?”

“I’m usually not one for gossiping. That’s more Everett’s speed. But I think this is something you should know, and it’s better you hear it now rather than Seamus springing it on you.” He rubbed the back of his head, then spat it out: “Seamus is seeing someone.”

And there it was. The cord snapped, and I was in an elevator hurtling to the ground. Confirmation that my feelings for Seamus were a lost cause.

“Oh.”

But why didn’t Seamus say anything to me? Why would he keep this from me?

“I know you were into him. I’m sorry.”

“Who is she?” I prayed she didn’t work at South Rock. I couldn’t see them in the halls. I’d have to transfer.

“So, actually, fun fact: it’s a he.”

My head darted up. “He? Are you sure?”

“Yeah. It’s kind of a weird situation he told us about. He and this gay guy have been experimenting with each other over the past month, running all the bases. He asked me for sex advice last week because he wanted to make it really good for this guy.”

“Who’s the guy?”

“He wouldn’t say. I’m assuming they met on an app. No judgment here. The thing is, it started with them fooling around with each other, but the way Seamus talked about this guy, he has it bad for him.”

“Bad?”

“Real bad. He couldn’t stop smiling and blushing. He was practically levitating off his seat. He really likes this guy, whoever he is. Really, really likes him.” Raleigh’s shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry, Julian.”

It was then I remembered I had to act sad. I fought back the grin spreading across my face.

“Thanks for telling me, Raleigh.”

“I wanted to warn you. And hey, I’ve had my heart broken, too. It sucks.”

“It’s such a shock.”

“I know. Who would ever dump me?” Raleigh shook his head, mystified. “Who would dump these?” He held up his shirt and pointed at his abs.

Rumor had it that he’d walked in on his fiancé in bed with the rival football coach at North Point High. No one could escape heartbreak.

Except for me right now. I did an internal happy dance.

“It all worked out, though,” he said. “I’m with Everett now. And you’ll find that special person.”

It turned out, maybe I already had.

I had third-party confirmation. Seamus really, really liked me!

* * *

At the florist,I was a smiling fool as I searched for a backup flower. My grandparents couldn’t have cared less about whether the flowers matched the tablecloths. They were happy to be alive and together still. My mom was a different story.

“What about lilies? Can we do lilies?” she asked, almost desperate. Being naturally indecisive and on a time crunch was never a good mix. “Or maybe we go in the total opposite direction and choose sunflowers.”

The florist cocked an eyebrow at me, perhaps wondering why I hadn’t committed my own mother to an institution.

“How could they not have freesias? We settled it weeks ago,” she said. It was one of the only things she had settled on before I was called in to intervene.

“Our supplier’s crop got infested with aphids.”

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