Page 5 of Orlando
“That’s not what I said.“
“It pretty much is.Besides, you’re not wrong.Idon’thave anything better to do, and I have to start somewhere, right?I might not find a job there, but being around people who like plants should be fun.”
“Well, it wouldn’t be fun for me, but hopefully, it will be for you.You’re not coming to dinner, then?”
Orlando wanted to say yes, but he shook his head.“I’ll go home after I check out the garden.Don’t worry about me.”
“Fine, but youwillcome for dinner tomorrow night.”
“How can I say no to that?”
“You can’t.It’s an order.”
Orlando laughed.No one was giving him orders anymore.That part of his life was done and gone, and it felt good.He didn’t mind taking orders from his friend, though.“I’ll be there.”
“You better be, because if you’re not, I’ll send Jimmy to get you.”
“Wouldn’t it be faster if you came?”
Seymour didn’t look impressed.“You want me to shimmer into your bedroom?”
“Please don’t.”Orlando hesitated, then reached forward to hug Seymour.“Thanks for all this.I needed it.”
Seymour’s expression was soft when he leaned away.“I know.Look, I have no idea what you’re going through, but I can guess that it’s not easy.If you need anything, you know where to find me, and I’m not kidding when I say anything.You’re one of my best friends.I won’t leave you behind.”
Orlando didn’t want to cry, damn it.He forced himself to nod and step away.“Thanks.That means a lot.”
“What will mean a lot is you coming to dinner tomorrow evening.I’ll cook your favorite.”
“Mac & cheese?”
“Only if you eat your broccoli, too.”
Orlando groaned, but he didn’t mind broccoli.“Fine, Dad.I’ll eat my vegetables.”He quickly hugged Seymour again.“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Orlando told himself to walk away before he actually started crying.He’d been feeling lost, but talking to Seymour had helped.He still had no idea what to do with his life, but he didn’t have to know.He just needed to start somewhere, get a job, and see what happened.It wasn’t like every decision he made was permanent.The decision to become a council assassin definitely hadn’t been.
Orlando was a bit nervous when he reached the garden.The flyer hadn’t said much beyond that it was a welcoming place for everyone, so Orlando didn’t know where to go.There was a fence around it, though, with a small gate that he decided to open and walk through.
He was impressed by how neat everything was as he followed the path between the various plots.It seemed like everyone was growing different things, and while they weren’t houseplants, Orlando liked it.He felt good here.It wasn’t cold yet, and being Saturday, there were a lot of people around.It made him a bit self-conscious, as if someone would notice he didn’t belong and tell him to leave, but the few people who glanced up at him just nodded and went back to work.
He eventually reached the center of the garden.Several benches had been arranged in a circle, with a cut tree trunk at the center.Someone had abandoned a pair of gloves on the trunk, and two of the benches were occupied.An older woman was sitting in one of them, looking grumpy as she glared at a man working in the distance.
Orlando squinted to take a good look at the guy.He wasn’t sure why the woman seemed so angry with him, but he certainly wasn’t.The guy was massive, with broad shoulders and thick biceps.His blond hair kept falling in front of his eyes, and he kept pushing it back, leaving dirt on his forehead.His skin was tanned and slightly pink, and the sight of it made Orlando want to rush over and slather some sunscreen on him.
He tightened his hands into fists.Yes, the guy was attractive, but sunscreen?Orlando should want to fuck this guy’s brain out, not make sure he didn’t get skin cancer.What the fuck was wrong with him?
“He’s single,” the woman suddenly said.
Orlando blinked at her.“I’m sorry?”
“Liam, the guy you’re staring at like he’s a tall glass of water in the height of summer.He’s single and gay.”
Orlando wanted to die.He wasn’t surprised that he’d been obvious, but still.“That’s good to know, I guess.”
The woman arched a brow.“Are you going to do anything about it?”
“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do about it.”
