The menu print was tiny, and I was still brain-fogged from the hay fever and the effects of the tablets, and the contrast wasn’t great, and…
I couldn’t read it. I didn’t have enough focus to read it right now.
How was I supposed to tell Morgan Icouldn’t read? He knew Aiden was dyslexic, but I didn’t think he knew I was.
What would smart English Lit major Morgan want with college dropout Devin who couldn’t read a menu in a burger joint Morgan had picked out just for him?
“Oh wow,” I said, staring at the menu in front of me, still uncomprehending. “There areoptionshere. Real options. Choices. I get topickwhich burger I want.”
That much, I could tell.Vegetarian and Veganwas written in big, bold enough letters in an easier font, and I could see how many entries were between that heading and the one that readDrinks.
Morgan smiled a shy little smile. “Thought you might like it,” he said.
“I do. Thank you.”
How had he managed to be so thoughtful? He hadn’t even had time to think about it.
I couldn’t let him know I had no idea what I was looking at.
“I’m never gonna decide,” I said, biting my lip. This wasn’t agoodplay, but it was my best one.
“Devin,” Morgan said softly. “Is this hard for you to read?”
My stomach sank. Hedidknow.
“It’s just so tiny and my eyes are still stinging and the hay fever meds make my brain wooly and—“
I stopped as Morgan raised his hand, bracing myself to hear that I was stupid and worthless and never going to amount to anything.
“You don’t need to make excuses. I’ve read Aiden enough menus in my life to understand. They shouldn’t print them on paper like this. And it’s all glossy, I can barely evenseeit in the wrong light,” he said. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
Then why did Ifeelso ashamed?
“How do you wanna handle this?” Morgan asked.
I raised an eyebrow.
“Well, I can read it out to you,” he said.
Right, but if he did that, people wouldsee. Maybe Aiden didn’t mind, but I sure as hell did.
“Or you can ask the server what they recommend and just accept your fate,” Morgan continued. “Or if you’re feelingreallybrave, I can order for you.”
I chewed on my lip, turning over the options. I couldn’t take too long to decide, or the server would be back and it’d be obvious that I couldn’t make out the stupid tiny print with the stupid font that wouldn’thold stillon the stupid page.
“Order for me,” I decided. “I trust you, you know what I like.”
“Okay,” Morgan said. “So I’m personally torn between the walnut-cashew burger and the double fried mushroom.”
“I could go for either of those,” I said.
“Same here,” Morgan agreed. “Actually thinking we could order both and have half each?”
I looked up, blinking at Morgan, evenmoresurprised. “But you don’t… I mean, you can eat meat in front of me, I don’t mind and I’m not judging.”
I hated the idea that Morgan might be uncomfortable around me, especiallyeatingaround me. No one else had ever really seemed that way, and it wasn’t as if we didn’t spend most of our time together eating, but…
“I could,” Morgan said, interrupting my train of thought. “But I’ve also got the chance to try something new, here. I’ve never had either of those things and they both sound great. If you don’t mind sharing?”
