Page 7 of Orlando
There was a twinkle in Martha’s eyes when she answered.“Was that something you wanted to know?”
Liam shook his head.“Seriously, though.Did he run away because you were interrogating him?Is that why he’s not here anymore?”
“That would be because of Miriam.She started asking him if he wanted a plot in the garden and things like that.He looked spooked and made up an excuse and left.”
Liam found that hard to believe.If Orlando had been here, it had to mean that he was interested in the community garden.Why had he left when someone asked him if he wanted a plot there, then?“Do you think he’ll come back?”
“He seemed interested in what I had to say about you, so I’m going to guess that he will, and if he doesn’t, that’s his loss.”
“I don’t know if I’d described it that way.”
“I would.You’re a catch, and Orlando would be an idiot not to be the person to catch you.”
Liam appreciated the faith in him, and it also made him a bit uncomfortable.He could only imagine what else Martha had told Orlando.She’d probably scarred him for life.
“You need a ride home?”he asked as he offered Martha his hand so she could get to her feet.
She shook her head.“Alfred is coming to pick me up.”
“Is he taking you to dinner?”Liam teased.Everyone at the garden knew that there was a blooming romance between Martha and Alfred, but every time anyone mentioned it, Martha turned grumpy.It was fun to tease her, and it felt like a bit of revenge for the teasingshedid.
“He better,” she said.“He said that he had something fun planned, but nothing is fun if there’s no food involved.”
Liam laughed and leaned over to hug Martha.“Well, eat for me, too.I’m headed home.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You will.”Liam tried to spend at least a full day in the garden every weekend.He had to work that in between the chores, but the garden was his happy place, and he needed to relax before going back to work on Monday.Besides, he was never happier than when he was here.
He made his way to the exit.He wasn’t worried about leaving Martha behind, especially when he crossed paths with Alfred, who was coming in from the parking lot.Liam waved at him but didn’t stop walking.He wanted a shower and to cuddle with Parsley.
It wasn’t what most people his age would want from a Saturday evening, but it was perfect for Liam.He’d never been one for bars and clubs, and even though his life with Parsley was lonely, he was satisfied with it.
He understood why his mother and Martha worried about him, but he wasn’t unhappy.He certainly wasn’t so unhappy that he needed to get back into the dating pool and find someone.He wasn’t sure he believed in fate, even though there was no denying that mates existed, but if there was someone for him out there, he was sure they’d find him somehow.It wasn’t like they’d have to look far.
Chapter Two
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ORLANDO HAD MIXED FEELINGSabout the community garden.He’d liked the place, even though there were no houseplants in sight, but he could have done without Martha.He still wasn’t sure what she’d been trying to do, but every time he thought about her, he also thought about Liam, and that was a road he wasn’t sure he should travel.Yes, Liam was cute—hell, he was insanely hot—but shouldn’t Orlando focus on himself before wanting anything with anyone?Or was finding a boyfriend part of his new life?
He supposed that both things could be true.Eventually, he did want to find someone, but maybe he should focus on himself first.He still felt completely lost and panicky when he thought that apart from his apartment, he didn’t have anything going for him.He wouldn’t even have an apartment if it weren’t for the council still paying him.It was what they owed him, but it still felt like charity.It wasn’t something he was comfortable with, and he needed to find a job to continue paying rent, anyway.
He wasn’t sure that going to the community garden would help him decide what his next step should be.Still, for some reason, he stood in front of it, relieved that it seemed empty this early in the morning during the week.When he’d come over the weekend, the place had been full, and he’d been cornered by Martha and Miriam.Martha had been more interested in him as a possible boyfriend for Liam, but Miriam had tried to convince Orlando to get a plot in the garden.He’d said no to both of them, but he regretted only one of those nos.
Which, now that he thought about it, was probably the reason he was here.He hadn’t stopped thinking about Liam, and for some reason, he’d gone to the store yesterday and had bought sunscreen and a hat.He hadn’t told anyone, not even Seymour and Jimmy when he’d seen them for dinner.Seymour would’ve been delighted, but Orlando still didn’t know how to feel.
He hated the uncertainty.He’d never felt that way, and he didn’t know how to deal with it.Since he was a teenager, he’d had his goals clear in his mind.He’d finish high school, go to college, and get away from his parents.
He’d done that.He’d also become a part of the assassins’ program, and he’d enjoyed it, although not the killing part.He’d liked being part of a group, making friends, and becoming a sort of family.He felt like he’d lost all of that, even though he hadn’t.He was still close to Seymour and a few of the others, and the people he wasn’t close with now, he hadn’t been close to to begin with.
But that had nothing to do with the reason he was standing in the parking lot, early on a September morning, staring at the gate that would lead him into the community garden.He had no idea if Liam was here or if he’d come by today.It was Monday, so Liam probably had work.
Orlando wished he did, too.
He hesitated.No one would probably think anything of seeing him walking around with sunscreen and a hat.He could go to Liam’s plot, which Martha had helpfully pointed out on Saturday, leave the hat and the sunscreen, and go home.It was better that Liam wouldn’t be there.Orlando wouldn’t have to humiliate himself.
Bringing these things for a man he hadn’t even talked to was weird, right?He hadn’t even been in Liam’svicinity.He’d stayed with Martha until she and Miriam had started bickering, and he’d seen a chance to save himself.
