Page 48 of Beyond the Hedge Maze

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To Jesse’s dismay, seeing some waterlilies and gazing upon the poor execution of Jane Grey took up a considerable amount of time. Especially when Oliver was distracted by several other paintings along the way.

It wasn’t Jesse’s ideal first, or second, or even third date. Art wasn’t something he understood. He could stand in front of a painting and declare that it was either to his liking or not, but that’s about as far as his expertise went. But he loved being there with Oliver. Jesse loved watching him. The way his eyes lit up, his sharp intake of breath when he stumbled across a piece of art that resonated with him. He loved listening to Oliver talk and describe what he was seeing, the little things he noticed.

Jesse would happily spend every date letting Oliver look at art if he asked.

They left the museum as the sun was beginning to set. The crowds had thinned slightly, but there was still chatter all around. As they walked the short distance from Trafalgar Square to Chinatown, Jesse could sense that the date had been a good idea, that Oliver wasn’t feeling as nervous as he had at the start of the day.

Jesse opened the door of the dim sum restaurant to a cacophony of voices. Some he instantly recognized, and others he didn’t. Huddled in a small circle right in front of an already annoyed hostess were all of their friends, chatting animatedly, without being properly introduced, like they had all known each other for years.

Sean, newly sporting a bushy, red beard, was the first one to see them, his eyes lighting up as he crossed the few short steps needed to reach them. His large arms enveloped them both. “Oliver! So good to see you again!”

Oliver’s voice was muffled by Sean’s chest crushing him in place. “Um, hello.”

“Sean, get off of him! Good fucking Lord, let him say hello to his friends,” Michelle said. Jesse grinned, letting go of Sean to go to her and Tanvi.

Jesse finished greeting his friends and then turned to face Oliver, who was talking to Isaac and Rachel. He recognized them both from the pub a few years earlier. Isaac approached him first, holding out his hand. “You’re hotter up close.”

“Isaac,” Oliver hissed.

Jesse appraised Isaac, and could have said the same thing. Isaac and Rachel were both so smartly dressed that they put him to shame. Oliver had mentioned that they were into fashion, but he was clearly going to have to ask them for tips to enhance his wardrobe.

He returned Isaac’s handshake with a laugh. “Thanks man, it’s good to meet you.”

Rachel pushed her brother out of the way, and Jesse was surprised when she wrapped her arms around his neck. Quietly, she spoke in Jesse’s ear. “He’s painting again. Thank you.”

Jesse held her more firmly in response. He looked over her shoulder to see Tanvi and Oliver in a similar embrace, and one more thing clicked into place. His future with Oliver settling like the bones of a new home.

The hostess who had been patiently waiting for them all to get their act together led them to a huge corner booth in the back of the room that could have easily fit ten people.

Jesse and Oliver slid in first and towards the middle, Michelle surprising him by taking the seat right next to Oliver. The rest of the group filled in, leaving Sean and Isaac on the outsides of the booth. He squeezed Oliver’s knee under the table, bending close to his ear. “Everything okay, cariño?”

Oliver kissed the corner of his mouth. “Everything’s great.”

“Fuck, you two are cute,” Sean said, prompting the whole table to chime in and give them shit. Oliver’s face flushed, but Jesse was thrilled. They were cute.

Drinks were ordered as the friends settled into smaller pockets of conversation, and Isaac briefly excused himself to use the bathroom.

“Sean, how is training going?” Jesse asked.

“Do you still row?” Rachel followed up. “We were quite impressed at the race. Even if you crushed us. What are you training for?”

“Oh, um, just training to try and make another team,” Sean shyly responded.

“Sean is being modest. He’s training for the next Summer Olympics,” Tanvi piped up. “His second. We’re all very proud of him.”

Rachel’s eyes lit up. “Oh! That’s amazing! It’s in Chicago, too! Everyone back home is so excited.”

“Thank you. It’s a long way away, and a lot has to happen before I actually make the team. I’m working with a friend who’s been helping me train.”

“Yes, Sean, how is your coxswain?” Michelle inquired in a singsong voice.

Tanvi scolded her girlfriend. “Don’t tease him.”

Jesse took note of Sean’s ears, the tips turning a violent shade of red that rivaled the color of his hair. “Alex?” He was confused. “Have I missed something?”

As Sean was about to reply, Isaac returned to the table, dramatically slumping in his seat. The group ceased their conversations to stare at him as Isaac rubbed both hands across his face. “I’m in love.”