“You want to be in Wyndham’s life again, in whatever way he’ll take you, because you still care for him, despite your hurt,” Conrad guessed.
“Yes,” Sage said on a sigh.
Conrad sat up and soaped his chest and neck.“And Roger has clearly indicated that he will accept whatever apology you have to offer.He wouldn’t have invited you if he wasn’t inclined to forgive you.”Sage looked away and didn’t respond, so Conrad continued, “And I expect that having a friendship with Roger, instead of a mixture of jealousy, hurt, and guilt, will go a long way toward healing your own heart.”
“I’m not convinced that friendship with Roger is something I deeply want.”
“Perhaps not.Then it’s friendship with Wyndham that you truly want.What would that look like?”
Sage looked pensive.“We never talked much.But I always wished we would.”
The sadness in Sage’s tone made Conrad’s chest constrict.“So you’d like more conversation with him?”Sage nodded.“What else?”
“I’ve always wanted to be the person that made him happy.I suppose if I could be a part of his happiness, that would be…something.”
“Well then,” Conrad said, returning his attention to his bath, “I guess you know what you need to do.I find it’s always easier to do a difficult thing if I know what I’m doing it for.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Sage murmured as he turned back to the vanity.
Conrad smiled at his back.If he could help soothe Sage’s pain half as well as Sage had soothed his, he would be very pleased.
