Page 105 of Fish Out of Water

“Yeah, you know him?”

“Kind of.” Jake blushed slightly. “We met at the bar that same night, and I’ve seen him around a couple of times since. He’s a nice guy.”

Safiya beamed. “Thanks! I think so too. Anyway, what can I help you with? Are you looking for something in particular?”

“Uh, no, just grabbing some shit—stuff—for my aunt. I didn’t know you worked here.”

“I actually work in the back, but I’m covering for another employee today. Just let me know if you need any help, Jake. Oh, and say hi to Robbie for me if you see him. It’s been ages since we last talked.”

Jake’s heart sank. “I’m leaving on the first of the month,” he blurted out. “I probably won’t see him before you do.”

Safiya frowned. “Oh. I thought?—”

“Not anymore. That was on the down low, anyway. How did you know about it?”

“Word gets around. And you’re the only two gay guys in Eventide. People can put two and two together.”

“Did his parents ever…”

“Mier, no. They’re not aware of Robbie’s dating habits. Until he has a child of his own, they don’t want to know about any other people in his life. Wait, did his parents do something to make you two break up?”

Jake shook his head. “He kept telling me to keep our history a secret, but I never quite figured out why. I knew about the lineage thing, but my being with Robbie doesn’t seem like a big deal where that’s involved.”

“As long as he doesn’t procreate, he’s already failing them,” Safiya said. “And they tend to go hard on anyone Robbie likes anyway, even when they’re not trying. You ever wonder why he’s single?”

“I mean, I was single too when I got here. And I’m single now.”

“This difference is that Robbiewantsto settle down and have a partner.” Safiya glanced around furtively to make sure no other employees were around, then she leaned in close to Jake.“Between you and me, I think it’s a good thing the Eatons are planning on selling the old bookstore instead of going through with that cafe. Robbie’s going to be out of a job, but at least there’s a chance something good’ll come out of that place, and maybe then Robbie can finally get away from them and have the life he wants.”

Jake almost dropped his basket. He fumbled with the handles, pinching his fingers between them before he managed to lift it back up securely. “They’re selling the bookstore?”

“That’s what I heard.”

“I had no idea.”

“I just learned about it myself today.” She pursed her lips together, holding back the same kind of smile Jake had allowed himself to revel in when he peered into the empty building. “It’s not official yet, but word around town is that they’re gonna list later this week—at a loss, too, after all the work they already put into it.”

“Poor Robbie.” Jake bit his tongue until sweet, hot saliva flooded his mouth. He wasn’t supposed to feel sorry for that man anymore.

“I know.” Safiya shook her head. “It’s a damn shame, but what can you do?”

“Yeah. Hey, it was great seeing you, Safiya, but I’ve gotta get home.”

Safiya nodded toward Jake’s empty blue basket. “What about your groceries?”

“I’ll pick some up later.”

Jake left her standing by the potatoes, rushing back to the entrance and dropping his basket into the stack of all the others. He drove home with the renewed energy of someone ten years younger, bursting through the front door of Isabel’s, soon to be Robbie’s, house.

Boxes were strewn all around. Isabel had taken to packing the last of her things while Jake was out, and he felt a twinge in his chest when he saw the empty built-in.

“You’re back early,” Isabel said, glancing up from a box with the newspaper-wrapped seagull teapot and teacups. “Where are the groceries? Did you leave them in the car?”

“The Eatons are selling the Book Nook,” Jake said breathlessly. “They’re not going through with the cafe.”

“Oh, thank Mier.” Isabel pressed a hand to her chest. “Who told you that?”

“Safiya, at Sandway.”