Page 22 of Cosy & Chill
Finn’s smile wasn’t the excited sparkle Leo had grown used to seeing. A curl of dread gathered in Leo’s stomach. He forged ahead with his news regardless. “I’ve been to see my graphic designers, too. Their office is just across the road from the station. They’re making me a pop-up banner to go next to Audrey’s stall. I also want to give her leaflets that list the flavours and prices and have an order form on the back.”
“Good idea.”
“Right? I also asked the designers what they thought of Cosy & Chill as a business name.”
“What did they say?”
“They loved it. They’ll be happy to help us with signage and logos and anything else we need. Once we’ve moved in, we should meet with them to talk about ideas. I’ve worked with them ever since I started. They do lovely work, and their charges are very reasonable.”
Finn didn’t get as excited as he had the day before and the churning in Leo’s gut grew stronger. Audrey had pegged his orientation immediately, even though he had no idea how. Had Finn noticed it, too, and did it worry him? Or did he have something else on his mind?
Honesty is always your best course of action.He remembered his grandma’s words, and he believed them, too. Honesty could hurt, but then things got better, while lies festered and poisoned everything they touched.
Starting a new business with a lie wasn’t the right way to go.
Leo gathered his courage. He touched Finn’s sleeve. “You look as if you haven’t slept. Is anything wrong?”
“No, nothing’s wrong. Not really. I’ve been thinking and… I’ve something to tell you.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“You want to go first?”
Leo nodded and their eyes met. Leo watched Finn brace himself and took a deep breath. “I’m gay,” he said, at exactly the same moment Finn blurted:
“I’m gay.”
They stared at each other, incredulous. Then, as if they’d rehearsed it, they burst out laughing.
“Seriously?”
“Totally,” Finn admitted. “I was in such a stew all night. I want to rent the store with you, but I didn’t want to commit to this without—”
“Yeah, me too. I thought it’d be awful if I kept quiet and you found out later and—”
“Gaydar fail.”
“Epically.”
“At least we’re on the same page,” Finn said. “We both want to make a go of this, but we wanted to be truthful, too. That counts, right?”
“Right. You wouldn’t fib about liking my ice cream, would you? If I cook up a flavour that was horrible, you’d say so?”
“And if I knit a jumper that’s all lopsided, and try to send it to a customer, I’d expect you to stop me.”
Leo held out his hand. “That’s settled, then.”
