“Not at all,” Tom said, ending the kiss. “We were just chatting.”
“And kissing.” Char snickered. “Don’t forget the kissing.”
“No bags.” Tom deftly changed the subject. “Didn’t see anything you wanted?”
“There was a top I liked,” Cee Cee answered, “but it was too expensive, so I decided against it.”
“I tried to convince her to get it anyway, but you know she’s much better about money than I am,” Char said.
Once they passed the Boatslip Resort, a popular venue in town, the area became a bit more residential, so they crossed over to the other side of the street and headed back in the opposite direction. But not before checking the schedule posted outside of the Boatslip. There was, indeed, a Tea Dance later that afternoon. Tea Dance was legendary, with pop-up bars, music, and dancing out near the pool in the back of the resort. It was the place for gays to be when in P-town.
“We really should stop in for a little while before heading back,” Will said. “I’ll have a beer with lunch, but I won’t drink anything but water after that since I’m driving. You guys can have some fun, though.”
“If you’re sure you don’t mind, Will, I’d love to,” Cee Cee said.
“Speaking of lunch, I think it’s time for food,” Tom chimed in as Char hummed in agreement.
CHAPTER TEN
Tom
“As much asI loved our meal at the brewhouse,” Tom said as they piled into Will’s vehicle, “I’m really glad we went to Tea Dance and worked off some calories. But Idolove a good burger.”
“Amen to that,” Cee Cee agreed. After a late afternoon meal of burgers and beer, they’d returned to the Boatslip to enjoy some dancing before making their way back home.
“We have to do this again,” Char chimed in. “I mean, get together for a double date. Although I wouldn’t mind another trip to P-town either.”
“We definitely need to do both again,” Tom added. “Once we know our work schedules, maybe we can plan to get together for dinner or something in the next week or two.”
“That sounds good to me,” Will said.
Tom grabbed Will’s phone from the console and selected a playlist so they could listen to some music on their way home.
After Will dropped off Char and Cee Cee at their apartment, he drove up to the park at Hawthorne Bluff. There was a smallparking area not too far from the copse of hawthorn trees that was the inspiration for the town’s name. The bluff, with its famous lighthouse, was just past the park, and beyond that, the waves rolled in from Cape Cod Bay. Dusk settled around them as they chatted.
“I had a really nice time today,” Tom said. “I’m so glad we got to spend some time with Char and Cee Cee.”
“Me, too,” said Will. “They’re both great, and I want to get to know both of them better. Today was a good start to that.” Will reached for Tom’s hand. “You know, I meant what I said earlier, Tom. I don’t plan on going anywhere. I don’t know what it is about you, but there’s something special here. You’re nothing like anyone I’ve ever met before.”
“I’m feeling it too,” Tom admitted. He blinked a few times and bit his bottom lip. “I, um, well, there’s something I wanted to tell you.”
“Of course.” Will turned to him. “You can tell me anything.”
“I’ve been thinking of moving out of my mom’s house and getting my own apartment.”
“You have? I think that’s great. After what you’ve told me about your mom, I think putting some distance there is a good thing,” Will said, smiling. “But how’s that gonna work with school and everything?”
“Funny, Char said the same thing about Mom. As for the rest, I’ve been saving up for a while, and I’ll cut down on the number of classes I take each semester so I can work more hours at the Whale,” Tom told him. “It might be a little tight at first, but I think I can make it work.” He cleared his throat. “You don’t think I’m making a mistake, do you?”
“Not at all. You’ve obviously been thinking about it for a while. If you’re ready, then it’s time, right? And I’ll help you any way that I can.”
“You will?”
“Of course! Are you gonna try to do this for next semester?” Will asked.
“Yeah, I’d like to. Mom won’t be happy, but I really do think it’s time.”
“Okay, Operation Help Tom Move is a go.”
