Page 16 of Flirty Dancing

“Great!”

“So, how are you going to ask her?”

“I was hoping you would help with that! Something cute and creative. You’re so good at stuff like this.”

“Hmm, let me think about it. Do you have a ring yet?”

“Nope. I have nothing, Archer. That’s why I need you.”

He laughed. “Okay, you look at rings, we’ll both think about the proposal, then we’ll talk again soon.”

“Thanks, boo.”

“You’re welcome.”

They chatted a bit longer about Shady Queens and Lynn’s work, then they hung up. Archer smiled at the forest around him. A breeze tickled his cheeks, and he could maybe hear the distant shriek of someone jumping into the lake. A thought wriggled through his brain—what would Lynn do with her apartment once she and Sasha were engaged?

Speaking of intrusive thoughts, he figured while he was out there he might as well make another call, though it wouldn’t be as fun. “Hi, Mom.”

“Oh, he finally calls us! One sec.” His mom put the call on speaker. “Your dad is here too.”

He sighed. “Hi, Dad. And you can call too, you know.”

“You never answer.”

“Yes, I do.”

“So, how is it at… What’s it called? Shady Pines?”

“Shady Queens.”

“Queens? Why would it be called Shady Queens?”

“It’s an LGBTQ+ resort, Dad.”

“So?”

“Like… drag queens?”

“You’re not a drag queen… are you?”

“No, Dad. They perform on Sundays. A different one comes in each week.”

“Are they paying you well?”

“It’s decent, plus I get room and board.”

“How much are you making, though?”

Their barrage of questions continued until Archer’s defenses were weakened and he told them he had rehearsal and hung up. He leaned against the railing, head drooping. Why did his parents make him feel like such a loser? He slapped at a mosquito and headed back to his room. The others were gone. He looked at his bed.

Five minutes later, he had brushed his teeth and was burrowing under his covers when a text came in from Betty.You coming?

Ummmmm…

You’re already in bed, aren’t you?

Little bit.

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