“Alright, what’s this about?”
“What?”
“You sent a group text. To have lunch. In public.” He gestures around us. We’re sitting on the screened-in outdoor patio of one of the more popular cafes downtown.
His glare looks annoyed, but also a bit hurt. I consider telling him something, not all of it, just enough that he doesn’t think something’s wrong with me or that I’m playing some kind of prank. Then I remember Tad’s advice about being vigilant about what I say in public, even if I trust the person I’m telling.
Dez and Monty show up, staring warily as they take their seats.
“Thanks for joining me,” I say, trying to sound casual. “Have any of y’all actually eaten here before? I’ve heard it was good but never tried it myself.”
I raise my eyes from my menu to the three men staring back at me.
“What the fuck is this?” Monty says to AJ, who shrugs like he’s given up trying to figure me out.
Dez just blinks at me.
“Look, I’m just… I’m trying something new. I–I want to get over some of this phobia I have.” It’s not untrue. Especially as I consider what it would be like having to stress and hide like this for the rest of my life. I do need to come out of my shell a little bit. If I truly want to be with Jesse, I need to take the possibility that I’ll never have a quiet life seriously.
The guys nod, Monty thumps my shoulder, and AJ throws a napkin at my face. “You could have just said that, dipshit.”
A camera flashes, and there’s chatter outside the enclosed patio.
“That was quick,” Dez says, cutting his eyes at me, concerned.
“Where’d they all come from?” Monty asks, and I chance a look. There are only five, which is a lot for me, but it’s nothing compared to yesterday’s scare.
Apparently it’s a lot, even for Dez, unless he’s at a scheduled press event. “Most of the time it’s just fans snapping pics, and an occasional pap. I’ve never seen it like this.”
AJ watches the photographers for a minute. “I think they’re here for Mr. Colgate,” he says, grinning.
“Stop that shit,” I say, throwing his napkin back at him. “Don’t encourage it.”
I know what they’re really here for, and as soon as we’re done eating and are heading home, I’ll text Jesse that the mission was accomplished.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” I repeat back to him, voice soft. It’s all I can do not to sigh contentedly hearing his voice and seeing his face, even on a screen.
“You alright?” Jesse asks.
“I was just about to ask you the same thing.”
“Could be better, but I suppose it could be worse.”
“Yeah, I’d say about the same.” I smile at him, half embarrassed at the urge to stare into his green eyes and sigh and smile like a brainless idiot.Who am I?
Jesse chuckles. “I feel ridiculous.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m just so relieved to see your face, I almost don’t even have anything to say. But I also want to keep you on the phone.”
“Would it help if I said I was thinking something similar?”
“How similar?”
“Honestly, probably worse.”
