Page 85 of Wish

After she put some cream and sugar beside it, she plopped both elbows on the counter, leaning toward me. “Did you get a new phone yet?”

I shook my head. “Not yet.”

Taking that in stride, she pulled back, and I watched in amazement as she made my coffee exactly like I always did.

“How do you know how I drink my coffee?”

“I pay attention.”

I swallowed. “So I wanted to talk to you about something.”

She nodded, leaning over the counter toward me once more. Her dark hair was pulled up in those two buns again, which must be her favorite way to wear it to work.

“Have you, ah, heard any rumors or anything about me lately?”

Her nose wrinkled. “Rumors?” Then her eyes widened. “Is someone spreading rumors about you?”

“No. I mean, probably, but I guess they wouldn’t be rumors.”

“I don’t understand.” Then she added, “Even so, I’d never listen to any rumors about you.”

“You’re a good friend.”

The light in her eyes dimmed, and I sighed.

Get it over with already, Wes. You know how this feels.

“I’m gay,” I rushed out.

The person sitting two stools away turned to look at me.

Veronica flicked her stare at them. “Mind your business.”

Clearing their throat, they got up and moved.

I laughed beneath my breath. “No one better mess with you.”

“Wes,” she said, eyes going serious. “Is that the rumor going around? That you’re gay?”

“It’s not a rumor. I am. I just came out to Elite… so I figure it’s probably spreading pretty fast around campus.”

“I…” She faltered, her mouth moving but not saying anything. Her brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.”

“Yeah.” I nodded, guilt hitting me again. “And that’s on me.”

“What?”

“I, ah, get the impression that you might be interested in me.”

She giggled. “Took you long enough to notice.”

I smiled. “Yeah, well, I’m kinda dumb when it comes to girls.”Boys too.

Her red-painted lips turned up. “I think it’s sweet.”

“So, um, I just wanted to, ah, apologize for asking you for a ride home from the hospital. I shouldn’t have done that. I don’t want to lead you on.”

“Lead me on,” she echoed.

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