“What do you mean?”
“Eden called me last night, asking if I’d heard from you. He didn’t give me any details, but I got the impression you two had a fight or something.”
I muttered, “Something like that.”
George surprised me by saying, “I don’t know what you two are fighting about, but don’t give up on him. Eden’s a good man, and he’d make you a good husband. You just need to be patient with him, and maybe get him to loosen up a little.”
I blinked and repeated, “Husband?”
“I know I’m getting ahead of myself,” he said. “You two obviously need to date first.”
“Did Eden tell you we’d gotten together?”
“No. He never tells me anything.”
“Then how did you know we had feelings for each other?”
“Because I have eyes, Seth. I saw the way you’d moon over him when he wasn’t looking, and then he’d do the same to you. I was hoping you’d finally figure things out on that road trip and get together.”
“Wow, I feel so dumb. Up until a few days ago, I had no idea he was interested in me. I mean, I saw him looking at me sometimes, but I didn’t think it meant anything. I just assumed he was straight, since he’d only dated women.”
“And I assumed he was bisexual, given the way he was constantly checking out your ass.” An embarrassed bark of laughter slipped from me, and he said, “I’d better go. My girlfriend’s calling me, and you never keep a lady waiting. Call me soon and let me know what’s going on with you and Eden, you hear? And try to cut him some slack. The potential I see in you two is worth so much more than whatever you’re fighting about.”
I murmured, “Yes, sir.”
After we disconnected the call, I sat in my car for a while and mulled over that totally unexpected conversation. Then I started the car and pointed it toward San Francisco.
When I got to Nana’s house a couple of hours later, she greeted me with a kiss on each cheek. Then she pulled me through the front door and said, “Welcome, sweetie! Come on in and make yourself at home.”
“Thank you, Nana.” I put down my bags and handed her the big, rainbow-colored bouquet of flowers I’d picked up on my way over. “I really appreciate you opening your home to me like this.”
“That’s just what you do for family.” She smelled the flowers and said, “These are gorgeous, thank you. Let’s go to the kitchen, so I can put them in water. That’s where the boys are, and they’re making lunch. I hope you’re hungry.”
When I said, “I can always eat,” that seemed to make her happy.
I followed Nana through the grand foyer, with its huge chandelier and pair of curved staircases leading to a second-floor landing. She had two dogs, a huge brown mutt and a little beige chihuahua, and they watched me from the top of the stairs before going back to playing tug-of-war with a squeaky toy. The big dog was actually letting the little one win.
When we reached the kitchen, Josh, Darwin, and Nana’s husband Ollie greeted me warmly. They were making fancy grilled cheese sandwiches with several types of cheese, and homemade minestrone soup. Nana found a vase and started arranging the flowers, and I asked, “Can I help with anything?”
“Nah, we’re almost done,” Ollie said. “Just make yourself comfortable, kiddo.”
I sat down at the kitchen island while everyone buzzed around me, talking and joking while they put the finishing touches on the meal. I ended up getting lost in my thoughts for a while, until a gentle touch on my arm brought me back to the present. I looked up into Darwin’s unusual, multicolored eyes, and he asked gently, “Are you alright, Seth?”
“Yeah, fine.” I said that automatically and pulled up a smile. He didn’t push, even though he knew I wasn’t telling the truth. Instead, he put a sandwich in front of me and gave my shoulder a friendly squeeze.
Lunch was delicious, and I helped clean up after we ate. Then Josh told Nana and Ollie, “We’re going to show Seth the room we picked out for him. Call us if you need anything.”
I grabbed my overnight bag and backpack from the foyer, then followed my friends to the second floor. Darwin explained, “Josh and I have the two rooms at the end of the hall, and we picked one for you that’s right next door. The house is huge and half-empty, and it can feel a little lonely. But this way, we’ll be close by.”
They led me into a beautiful, sunny guestroom with pale blue walls, white furniture, and a yellow and blue striped bedspread. I sat down on the bed, and Josh and Darwin sat side-by-side on the desk as Josh said, “Okay, spill. What’s going on, Seth? You look like you lost your best friend.”