Page 10 of Unlikely to Stay
Chapter 3
“Iwas just appalled.If you’re going to be at anoutletmall, you’d expect them not to make you payfull pricefor a suit.I don’t care if it was Armani and fit me like a glove.I wasnotgoing to pay it.Even though, if I’m being honest, I did shed a small tear on my way out of the store.”
Colleen was sitting across from Annie’s friend from vet school at the Red Lobster in Lakeview.The friend Annie said was nice and had good fashion sense.CC agreed.He had all of that and more.He was charming and funny and super cute.What Annie failed to mention, however, was he was gay.Very, very gay.How her friend missed that obvious fact was beyond her.It was ridiculously obvious.
“That sounds awful,” CC said in response, her hand under her chin.She wanted nothing more than the waitress to bring her food so she didn’t have to talk.On the bright side, at least she had met him at the restaurant so there wouldn’t be any awkward silence when he took her home.
“My roommate, Samuel, couldn’t believe it either.I’m telling you, it was highway robbery.If I was going to pay that, I would just go and buy a real one that didn’t have a stitch missing or whatever else that deemed the suit unacceptable for regular retail.”
Ah, Samuel.Probably the boyfriend undercover.“So, Conner, did you ever finish vet school?”
“Oh, no!The first time I observed a professor perform a surgery on an adorable little Shih Tzu, I passed out and fell flat on the floor.I knew right then and there it wasn’t for me.”
“So what do you do now?”
“I’m in marketing.”
“That sounds interesting.”
“Oh, honey, itis.I never have two days the same.”
CC hid a smile behind her hand.ShelovedConner.She also knew the feeling wouldneverbe mutual.The quicker he came to terms with his sexuality the happier he would be.
“So Annie told me you just broke up with your girlfriend.What happened?”
Conner waved his hand.“Oh, we just didn’t click.She was too clingy.A man has to have his space, am I right?”
CC wondered if she should say something.She didn’t know if it would be a good idea.But she knew she couldn’t continue to pretend this date was going anywhere.
“Is it because you’re gay?”
Conner gasped and held his hand over his mouth.“I’m notgay!Why would you think that?”
“You cried because you had to pay full-price for an outlet Armani.You passed out when you watched an animal surgery.Your mannerisms.Your style.The brightness in your eyes when you mentioned your roommate.Why haven’t you told anyone?”
Conner sighed.“Is it that obvious?”
CC nodded sympathetically.“It is.I don’t see how Annie didn’t catch it.”
“I’m afraid my parents will disown me.My dad and brothers are both men’s men, if you know what I mean.They hunt.They fish.The crush beer cans with their fists.”
“Something tells me you don’t.”
“I was in choir and drama.”
“I don’t know your family so I can’t speak for them, but from what little I know about you, I think you’re a pretty awesome guy.And even if they do disown you, I know you and Samuel will be a lot happier not hiding your relationship.”
“You figured that out, too, huh?”
“I did.”
Conner sighed.“I am tired of hiding it from everyone.”
“What do you have to lose?If your parents don’t talk to you, I know Samuel will be standing by your side.”
He nodded.“You’re right.Samuel has been telling me the same thing.I wish I had listened sooner.”
The waitress brought out their salads and bread at that time.CC and Conner laughed and shared information about their lives, Conner even showing CC pictures of Samuel.He was a great guy and CC knew they would probably become good friends.All too soon, the meal was over and they were leaving the restaurant.Conner had even insisted on paying.