“Come in and take a seat,” Amelia beckoned us through to the living room where we sat on the couch. A baby wailed and Amelia sighed heavily. “Thank God for Mary cooking and babysitting because otherwise we’d having nothing to eat because I don’t get a minute with that demanding child.”
“And what about Lewis?” I quipped.
“I’d like to meet him.” Said Lori. “If that’s okay?”
“Sure.” Amelia beamed. She’d obviously been dying to show off her son, but not known whether Lori would be into babies or not. She brought him in. He had blond hair just like his mom and dad and was a cute little thing. Amelia passed him straight over to Lori and Lori stared, cooing at him.
“Hey little guy. You’re heavier than you look, dude. But that’s okay. It’s worth it to see that little smile. Yes, are you smiling at me again?”
“He just cut his first two teeth.” Amelia said.
“Oooh, I can see that. I can see those two cute little tiny teeth. You’re going to be a heartbreaker aren’t you, Lewis.”
At that point H walked in and introductions were made again.
“Okay, Lew, it’s time to go back to Mary because dinner is served.” He proceeded to make cooing baby noises to his son.
The meal was beautiful and general chatter passed between us all. As the wine flowed, Amelia took her opportunity to ask questions.
“So, how did you two meet?”
“It was back in October. Aidan had come to Abandon to do a run through ready for opening and I was a new member of staff. We just hit it off. He didn’t want to date a staff member, one of his new rules, so we met for coffee as friends. But things just developed from there, really. I guess when chemistry hits it’s difficult to fight it.” She leaned over and took my hand and squeezed it.
“Absolutely.” I said truthfully. “The last thing I expected was this girl to come along and knock me sideways. My rule about dating staff went straight out of the window. Lori just is that special. I can’t explain it.”
“Sounds like love to me.” Said Amelia smiling widely. H elbowed her.
“Jesus, Amelia, you can’t say that to them.”
Amelia bit her lip. “Ooh, sorry guys if I made you feel a little uncomfortable. I just kinda love fairy tales and happy ever afters. I can get a little carried away.”
“Oh I like fairy tales too.” Said Lori. “Especially Cinderella. My absolute favorite.”
The women, though they looked like adults to me, proceeded to talk about fairy tales and Disney movies while H and I chatted sports.
The wine flowed, and I decided I’d get a driver to pick us up and leave the car behind. I told Lori this. “If you’re sure. You going to get wasted then? Will I need to carry you to b
ed?”
I thought of the last time I’d been drinking. “Maybe, or there’s always the couch again?” I winked.
“Ssh, you’re embarrassing me.” She replied. If I hadn’t paid her, I would believe every word that came out of her mouth. As an actress she was completely faultless.
“Babe, I’m sorry, I can’t help it.” I told her as Amelia and H looked on. “Because I think Amelia might be right. I think I am falling in love with you.”
Lori gasped, and I wondered if I’d gone too far with the charade.
“Oooh, this is amazing. We need champagne.” Amelia clapped her hands. “Go get some, Henry.”
Lori leaned over and kissed me, her mouth hard against my own. I wanted nothing more than to take her back to my home and make love to her over and over again. But this was all a lie.
Everything I’d said I’d meant, yet it could never be.
Lori
The evening was heartbreaking. Everything I said I’d meant, yet it could never be.
Though there was nothing stopping me from telling him I wasn’t gay, I couldn’t allow myself to go into a relationship with someone who paid for my services like I was a commodity not a person.