Page 27 of 12 Gays of Christmas

Colin shakes his head. “You might have to actually talk to a guy.”

I glance over at Remi, but he’s sulking by the suit of armor statue. Probably coming up with a comeback or two. Something scathing.

Colin waves his hand at me. “Go. Shoo. Find a hot nerd to fall in love with.”

“That’s not—”

He lets out a frustrated sound. “Just go.”

And so I do. I mostly check out things I’m interested in with no one next to me either making fun of me or getting bored. Now that I’ve been here, I think I can come back on my own. But I also check out guys. There are some cute ones. Interesting ones. A guy intently studying an artifact in the Pompeii exhibition catches my eye. He’s slim, but his arms are muscular. He doesn’t look like a jock. Blond hair. A boy-next-door face. The word safe flashes in my mind, but I push it away. None of this feels safe.

I start with interesting facts since that’s my go-to. “Did you know Roman concrete was revolutionary in ancient architecture for several reasons?”

The guy glances at me and then back at the display. “No.”

He delivers it in a flat voice that says more than the two-letter word: not interested in conversation or you.

Okay, maybe my facts aren’t interesting. Or maybe he’s straight. The pink socks are a bold choice for a straight guy, but it happens. I start to walk away. This is a stupid plan.

“Wait.”

I turn back, trying to keep the hopeful look off my face. “Yeah?”

“Is that your friend?” He nods at Colin, who’s several feet away, acting like he’s not watching us. Remi stands beside him and gives me a thumbs-up. I glare at him and think of ways to get back at Remi for being such an asshat. The guy raises a brow at me. Right. Colin.

“Yes. He’s my friend.” I rub at a spot on my chest.

“Is he single?” Oh, hell no. I start to yell at the guy when he adds, “I’m digging his dark vibe.”

Oh. Not Colin. Remi. Great. “Yeah. He’s single.”

I walk over to where Colin and Remi are glaring at each other. My excitement at being in the museum is overshadowed by humiliation. “I’m done. Let’s go.”

“You wanted to see the Pompeii exhibition.”

“Not so much.”

Colin tilts his head and glances over my shoulder at the guy watching us. He narrows his eyes. “You were talking to him. What happened?”

“Nothing. Oh, except, he wants your number,” I say to Remi.

“Seriously? I’m not interested in some surfer boy wannabe.” He glances over at the guy and studies him for a moment. “But I guess I should give him a chance to prove himself.”

I roll my eyes as Remi walks over and immediately starts a conversation. “Maybe I’m the problem.”

“You are the problem.”

“Thanks, roomie. Should I start dressing in black?”

“You shouldstartbeing yourself,” Colin says, throwing his hands in the air.

“I am.”

He shakes his head. “You were slumped over. ‘Do you want to know about Roman concrete?’”

“I don’t sound like that.”

“Let’s ask Remi.”

---