Every time Milo looked at me, he would blush. I figured Beverly had to know something was up, but she didn’t say anything, and thankfully Milo didn’t either. She didn’t need more reasons not to like me.
After breakfast, Beverly went to the bookstore with Milo. She did that often. She would work on her laptop there, just to be close to him. It was clear how much Milo meant to her, which was why I couldn’t be too angry with her for hating me. She wanted what was best for her son, and even though I loved him and would do anything for him, she had no reason to believe that.
My first appointment wasn’t until two, so I cleaned up the apartment and texted my brother, who was probably hung over and still asleep. Sorry about last night. I’ll make it up to you.
I didn’t tell him I hadn’t gone because I didn’t think Milo would want to. My choice had been my own. I could have gone without him. I’d chosen not to.
A few minutes after twelve, my phone buzzed with a text. I expected it to be Orlando, but it was Milo. Mom wants us to go out to lunch with her!
I was fairly certain she wanted to go out to lunch with Milo and not me.
You too! She said. She’s trying, he added as if I’d spoken my concerns to him.
I’ll be right down.
I locked up and went to the bookstore. Beverly and Milo were waiting outside. He grabbed my hand, knotted our fingers together, and kissed my cheek.
“Hey, you,” I told him.
“I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
When my eyes darted toward Beverly, she was watching us.
“We should get going. I figured we could go to the Lighthouse,” she said, and we agreed easily.
She didn’t talk much on the walk there, but she never did around me. She was so different from Milo, so much more closed off, keeping the walls high to protect herself. “Is it pretty easy to get work done remotely?” I asked, trying to make conversation.
“There are some things I can’t do, but a lot I can.”
“Yeah, I bet. It’s nice that you have the freedom to come here and stay so long, though. Maybe Milo and I can come out to San Diego sometime too.”
He stopped, pulling me with him. Milo’s gaze bore into mine, all soft and mushy like I’d just saved a kitten from sudden death, while I tried to figure out what the fuck I’d said to cause that look.
“I don’t have to go,” I told him. “You can always go by yourself too.” I hadn’t meant to make it sound like I was hijacking his hypothetical trip to see his mom.
“I want you to go. I just didn’t know you would want to. That’s serious.”
Fuck, he was so adorable. “Lo…we’re boyfriends, and we live together. It’s pretty serious.”
“I guess we are.”
“I’m glad you agree.”
“The two of you are ridiculous,” Beverly added, but I could have sworn there was amusement in her voice. “Are we going to lunch or standing on the sidewalk all day?”
“We’re going to lunch.” Milo began walking again.
The Lighthouse had its typical lunch rush, so it was fairly loud and busy inside. I risked a glance at Milo, but he seemed okay, so I didn’t mention it. When my gaze locked on Beverly next, I was pretty sure she had just done the same thing.
We plucked menus from the lobster claws and looked them over just before Drea, our waitress, came over.
“How’s everyone doing today, and what can I get you to drink?”
Milo and Beverly just got water, and I asked for Sprite.
“What do you like here?” Beverly asked.
I kept reading my menu until Milo nudged me and I realized she was talking to me. Anytime we spoke, it was typically me who started the conversation.
“Oh, um, just about everything is good. I often get a burger or a steak, but they have great lobster and crab too. Their shrimp scampi is the best around.”
My leg bounced against Milo’s, and he rested his hand on my thigh. Holy shit, your mom just asked me a question, I wanted to tell him, but I bit it back.
“I’ll try the shrimp scampi, then,” Beverly said. “That was always my favorite when I was growing up too.”
She ordered first when Drea came back. I got fish and chips, and Milo a tomato, mozzarella salad, and a baked potato.
“How is the tattoo business on the island?” she asked me next.
“I can’t lie and say it’s the best, but it could be worse. Some times are busier than others. I’ll never be a rich man, but I don’t really care about that. I just want to be happy.” Though a little more money wouldn’t hurt.
“Me too,” Milo replied. “As long as I can keep the store in the black, I’m okay.”