“So whatI’mhearing is that at this Nocturne Court men can marry each other.”
She’s saying this for my benefit. A silent ‘go for it, Nate’ when I need to keep this thing cool and casual. So what if he opened the jar and made me come last night? Just because he’s ‘marriage material’ doesn’t mean he will bemyhusband.
“Well, yes,” Tristan says, letting Lady play with his thumb. “One must follow what the heart desires.” His tone becomes deeper when he says that, and I swear his words are meant for me alone, and that he’s sayingIam his heart’s desire.
Which is impossible.
We met yesterday.
Just because I’m a hopeless romantic doesn’t mean I’m naive.
And yet, when he pulls me close, with Lady stuck between us like a baby, I let him, because it feels so good to be treated right for once.
“I don’t yet know if I want to get married.”
Viola snorts. “Don’t listen to that BS, Tristan. Nate wants a big fat ring on his finger, doves released, a vanilla cake, and Lady as the ring bearer.”
I want to hiss at her like a stray cat forced out of its little nest inside a broken car. But Tristan beams at me, as if none of that baggage scares him.
“Let me introduce you to the rest of the Royal Family first.”
That’s it. I’ll die out of embarrassment. “Well, aren’t we doing that later today?” I challenge, because if he is lying to my face, I’d rather know sooner rather than later.
“We won’t arrive until tomorrow,” he says without a pause and even gives me a chaste, but toe-curling, kiss.
This time Viola looks at me more seriously. “About that. Tristan told me you two are leaving?”
“He invited me to… his,” I tell her and capture her gaze with pleading eyes. I don’t know what I’m doing, and I might need to come crawling back, so there will be no discussion of alternate living arrangements yet. “But we’ll see how it all pans out.”
Viola whistles. “Oh wow, U-haul it is. I always thought it was more of a lesbian thing.” She gives Tristan’s pecs a stare that says ‘I get it’.
Tristan strokes me through the sheet, and I already want him back on top of me. “All will be well, you shall see. You did say we need to go shopping first? My treat.”
“You are taking the dog though, right? I’m happy to puppysit sometimes, but I can’t really foster right now.”
“Of course I’ll take her,” I say and place her back on the floor before zeroing in on Tristan’s bare chest. “Um… do you have a T-shirt long enough to cover your… lower hips?” I ask, raising my gaze from his crotch.
“What he means is that we can see the outline of your dong,” Viola explains, and I dash off, my brain squirming with embarrassment.
Tristan’s eyes widen, then he lowers his plate to cover his lap.
“I’ll see if I have something.”
I end up giving him my most oversized T-shirt and, of course, it ends up being snug on him. It is painfully hot but will I be able to deal with this level of distraction?
Viola hums. “Maybe Andy can lend you something that fits? He’s a bigger guy.”
At least Tristan isn’t trying to convince us he could just put on his armor for a trip to the mall.
“Good idea,” I tell her and poke my index finger at the middle of Tristan’s chest. “Wait here.” He confirms, with his mouth full of eggs, avocado, and tomatoes, and I make the speediest trip to my room to put on basic sweatpants and a T-shirt.
Dressed like a normal citizen, I step out of our apartment, but instead of heading straight for our neighbor’s door, I pull out my phone and choose my grandmom’s number.
It’s quiet, and I slide down the wall, staring at the screen while the dull sound of an open line echoes in the hallway. It takes a while, but she finally answers.
“Nate! So nice of you to call. We just docked in Naples. It’s a bit chilly, but we’re planning to have gelato anyway.”
How pathetic is it that my grandparents have a more colorful life than I do?
