“I respect your privacy, Antonio. I can also tell you’re making assumptions again.”
“And how exactly can you tell that?” I ask, crossing my arms. “I don’t remember arriving in your life with a manual.”
“A manual would actually be extremely helpful.”
Before I come up with a clever reply, Josh appears.
Casually, he steps around the corner like an unfairly tall relationship destroyer no one ordered.
He has clearly been crying.
“Hi Josh,” Caspian says.
I seethe. What comes next? A romantic stroll and love locks on a bridge?
Caspian’s hand finds mine, his thumb stroking my palm, and I let him—before we say goodbye forever more.
“Everything okay?” he asks Josh.
Josh nods, but he looks sad. His blue eyes flicker between us.
“I thought you didn’t date.”
That’s when it gets too much. The images of Caspian touching Josh are too much.
Josh and Jake—I gasp.
Both names start with J.
It’s a clear pattern.
So clear that it leaves me with only one option.
“He doesn’t date,” I declare. “Not anymore.”
I walk away.
Not dramatically—I’ve moved beyond drama. No, this time I walk away in a mature, regular-paced way.
Caspian watches me go.
I hear him taking one of those long, calming breaths he sometimes needs around me.
“I didn’t. Antonio changed everything,” I hear him say. “Now, excuse me.” He’s already walking toward me. “My boyfriend is going through a difficult time.”
He catches up with me easily, like he always does.
“Do you want to have your meltdown here or wait until we get home?”
My lungs forget their job. How dare he suggest I’m having a meltdown when I have discovered a pattern?
“I just find it very interesting that you’ve settled for someone whose name starts with A.”
Caspian blinks.
“It’s obvious you enjoy consonants more than vowels,” I continue. “The letter J especially. I wonder who’s next. Jebediah?”
I cross my arms.
