‘Yes, we don’t know if we can get the doves yet.’ A look of perturbed concern crosses Alec’s face. ‘We better follow up on that.’
‘A dove crisis calls,’ Ollie says.
The pair say their goodbyes, Ollie glancing back at me one final time, and I lean against one of the pillars.
Once the golden couple are out of earshot, I say to Sam, ‘Well, we should maybe talk about what just happened.’
‘I’m not sure what happened.’
‘Why did you say you were my boyfriend?’
Sam rubs his jaw. ‘Isn’t that what you wanted me to say?’
‘What gave you that impression?’
‘Alec asked if you had a plus one and then your face went all pale and then you said Sam here is my plus one…’
I pace, rubbing my hands together. ‘Yeah, like, myfriendlyplus one.’
‘Well, I’m sorry, Will, but a plus one means a partner and I was following your lead.’
‘My lead?’ I exclaim, stopping before him. ‘I had no lead. I was flailing around like Magikarp up there.’
‘Well, so was I. You took my hand and I thought you were asking for help, and I… I panicked.’ Sam’s mortified expression makes me want to reassure him it’s okay, but the reality of what has happened is too much to process. ‘Besides, I didn’t like the way Ollie said you wouldn’t have anyone with you. It was the assumption.’
‘So you thought saying you’re my boyfriend was the right thing to do?’ It’s ridiculous, but I have to admit it’s the sweetest thing he could have done in that situation. ‘What will your girlfriend say when you tell her you’re going to a gay wedding with a gay guy?’
Sam’s worried expression turns to confusion. ‘Girlfriend?’
‘Yes,’ I say this ever so slowly.
Wait.
Where did the girlfriend come from? Thinking back, I realise I’ve simply conjured her up. ‘You don’t have a girlfriend?’
‘I don’t have a girlfriend,’ Sam says, looking just as confused. ‘Because I’m gay.’
Well, there’s one for the Greek history books.
A win for the gays.
And this changes everything.
‘Oh, jolly good.’
I laugh it off, glad that Sam can see the funny side, but as we carry on to the Parthenon, I silently thank Dionysus and the gay gods once more.
Chapter Nineteen
SAM
Day Two
Why the hell did I say I was Will’s boyfriend?
I felt a need to swoop in and defend my friend, like I’ve done once or twice when he was bullied in school. Maybe I should have left Will to it.
Or maybe I spotted an opportunity for a bit of summer fun.
