"Oh." The ugly thing in my chest grows teeth. "Fuck him."
Doc stares at me. "What?"
"Fuck him. His loss." The words come out rougher than intended. "Anyone who can't see how incredible you are doesn't deserve—" I catch myself. "I mean. Objectively. You're clearly a catch."
The room goes suspiciously quiet.
"Objectively," Haru repeats, grinning so wide it must hurt.
"Right," I continue, because apparently I have no self-preservation. "Smart, funny when you let yourself be, passionate about your work. Plus, you're—" I gesture vaguely at all of him. "You know."
"He doesn't know," Leo stage-whispers. "Tell him."
"I'm what?" Doc's voice is weird. Soft.
"Beautiful." The word falls out simple and honest. "You're beautiful."
Someone makes a noise like a dying whale. Pretty sure it's JP.
Doc's staring at me like I just spoke in tongues. "I—what?"
"Next question!" I blurt, scrolling frantically through my phone. "Um. Shit. Here… how do you know if someone's interested back?"
"Oh my God,” Max practically screams.
"Well," Leo says, visibly vibrating with excitement, "there are obvious signs. Like, they find excuses to touch you?—"
I think about Tuesday. My hands over his on the axe.
"They remember things you tell them?—"
He brought up my sports psych minor unprompted.
"They get jealous when others show interest?—"
The face he made when Rex called me hot at the bar.
"They blush when they compliment you?—"
Fuck. I'm definitely blushing right now.
"And," Haru adds gleefully, "There is a phrase... 'heart eyes'? Yes. They have severe heart eyes when looking at you.”
Every head swivels between Doc and me like they're watching tennis.
"This is ridiculous," Doc mutters, but he's fighting a smile.
"Speaking of ridiculous," Leo jumps up, "we should take Gavin out! Show him the scene!"
"The scene?" I echo.
"Gay bars! Dancing! Men in tiny shorts!" JP lists off on his fingers.
"I don't?—"
"You HAVE to," Max insists. "It's part of the education!"
"Doc?" I look at him, trying to read his expression. "What do you think?"
