Page 70 of Beau Pair
Tru thanks me and takes their phone back to put in their pocket.
“Do you take commissions?” I ask.
Zoe gawks and chokes on her drink.
“Beaumont Louise Fleur! What will Gordon say if you pose naked?” she says.
Yup. That’s my middle name. Get it out of your system while you can because I hate it too.
“I was thinking more of a family portrait. Get your head out of… wherever it’s been. Actually, I know where it’s been. And... hurl!”
Zoe joins her hands to make cooing sounds, and Tru is staring from her to me with a glimmer in their eyes.
“Awww, you want to have a family portrait with Gordon and Elsie?” she drawls.
I roll my eyes and take a sip of my iced tea.
Aaah. Perfection!
“No. I was thinking Gordon and Dolly would love a family portrait of them three,” I say.
And yes, it’s not like it didn’t cross my mind, but Gordon and I are not a family yet. And I’m okay with that. I know he’s got a daughter to think about and he doesn’t want to rush into anything. With his student.
In a way, Zoe and Dolly have it good. Zoe isn’t Elsie’s babysitter or Dolly’s student. Yes, there’s an age difference, but they’re, for all intents and purposes, equals.
Our dynamic is slightly different, so I can’t expect miracles. Or jump into anything.
But damn it, yes, I’d love a family portrait with him and Elsie. Hell, even Dolly and Zoe. It’d make a kickass family portrait.
“Well, whatever you want, I’m open to anything. I can always use the extra cash,” Tru says, and while I am most definitely going to spend the rest of the evening making sure they’re suitable before introducing them to Gordon, I already know I can trust them.
There’s just something about them. The minute you look into their eyes, you know they’re a good person.
“I take it Zoe’s told you about my situation,” I tell them.
It’s annoying that I have to treat my relationship with Gordon like a dirty secret around campus, but the last thing I want is to get him into trouble.
“Your secret’s safe with me,” they reply, and run their fingers along their mouth like it’s got a zipper on it.
Once we’re done with our drinks and chat, I take Tru to Gordon’s office and make the introductions. I sit on the spare chair and listen in on the interview, but mainly watching Gordon.
Having someone else on hand to look after Elsie can be useful in case we ever need to go on a double date with the girls or in case of an emergency, God forbid.
Tru charms Gordon too, as expected, and I know we have a winner when they shake hands and Gordon won’t stop smiling.
Tru leaves the office after the interview is over, and I move up to the chair they’d been occupying.
“I like him,” Gordon says.
“Them. They’re non-binary,” I correct him.
“Really? God, you should have told me,” he says.
I put my hand under my chin and raise an eyebrow.
“Why?”
He leans forward too, and pouts.
