"Hope that's okay," Max says, watching Gavin carefully. "We just thought?—"
"No, yeah, totally fine!" Gavin's already bouncing back, pulling out chairs for everyone because apparently he was raised by saints. "More brains the better, right?"
Leo mouths "You're an idiot" at me behind Gavin's back. I scowl at him.
"I'll grab coffee," Gavin offers. "Same as last time, Doc? What about you guys?"
He takes everyone's order, memorizes it without writing anything down, and heads to the counter. I watch him go because I'm weak, and those sweatpants are doing things to me.
"You're being weird," JP states. "Like, weirder than normal."
"I'm not being?—"
"Seb." Max's voice goes gentle. "He ground up on you for like an hour at the club. He texted that you looked hot. He literally lights up when he sees you. What more do you need?"
"I need not to be some straight guy's gay experiment before he goes back to dating cheerleaders!"
The words come out louder than intended. A few people look over. Great. Now I'm making a scene.
"Okay, first of all," Leo holds up a finger, "stereotyping much? Second, that boy is about as straight as a circle."
"You don't know that?—"
"He wore makeup for you!" Max practically shrieks. "Straight boys don't let you put glitter on their cheekbones!"
"Maybe he was just being nice?—"
"One iced coffee with extra shot," Gavin says, setting my drink down exactly how I like it. "Chai latte for Max, americano for JP, and whatever this rainbow monstrosity is for Leo."
"It's called being festive," Leo defends, taking his drink that legitimately has rainbow whipped cream.
Gavin drops into the chair next to mine, our thighs almost touching. I shift slightly away and catch the flicker of hurt in his eyes.
Shit.
"So!" He pulls out a notebook, clearly trying to recover. "Psychology of human interaction, right? Perfect since we've got a whole group for examples."
"Actually," I hear myself say, "we should probably start with the basics."
"Yeah?"
"Gaydar training."
Gavin's whole face lights up. "Holy shit, yes! Teach me the ways!"
This is a terrible idea. "Okay, so it's not really about stereotypes?—"
"That guy!" Gavin points across the coffee shop. "Definitely gay."
I follow his finger to... oh no. "Gavin. He's wearing a Bass Pro Shops hat."
"So? Maybe he's outdoorsy gay!"
"And a 'Fish Fear Me' t-shirt."
"Ironic!" Gavin insists. "Plus, look how he's sitting, all spread out but like, considering others' space? That's very mindful. Very demure."
JP chokes on his coffee. "Did you just?—"
