Page 13 of Love Potion

“So we’d have things in common. We’d like the same types of movies and we’d play video games together.”

“Yeah.”

“And over time, we’d see that there was so much more there than just friendship. We’d cuddle on the couch and spend lazy mornings in bed wrapped around each other and talking about life.”

His cheeks turn slightly pink, but he just nods.

“We’d be so in sync that we’d always know what the other was thinking. We could finish each other’s sentences if we wanted to.”

A crease appears between his brows, but I push on before I chicken out.

“And I’d be the guy who showed him that love is real and bold and accepting. Neither of us would be perfect, because there’s no such thing, but we’d be perfect for each other. We’d balance each other and we’d understand each other’s struggles and quirks. I’d prove to him that he’s just right for me.”

“How would you do that?”

“By my actions. I’d wake up every morning with the intention of showing him how I feel, and when I slip up, because I will, I’ll make it right again.”

“You’d make an amazing partner for someone.”

For you.

The words sit like a weight on my tongue, but I hold them back.

“I’d do my best.”

“What about…” He shakes his head. “This is make believe.”

“No, Jerr, it’s not.”

“Not make believe. Hypothetical.”

“What were you gonna ask?”

He drops his gaze. “Nothing.”

“Come on, Jerr.” I lift his chin with my finger so he has to look at me. “You can ask me anything. You know that.”

He nods as his teeth graze his bottom lip. “I guess I wondered where I would fit in if you met someone like that, but that’s selfish. Of course I want you to be happy.”

He really doesn’t get it. Not even a little bit. This is gonna be harder than I thought.

“You know you’re my person, Jerr. I’ll always have room in my life for you, and anyone I’m with would have to understand that or they wouldn’t be right for me.”

He continues chewing on his bottom lip for a second. “But that’s not fair, is it? To the other person, I mean. If we werethem, would we be okay with the closeness of our friendship? Would you expect any normal person to accept the way we are together?”

I narrow my eyes. “This is about Alec, isn’t it?”

“Not directly, but kind of. If you look at it from his perspective, I bet it was hard. You’re a good-looking guy and we’re closer than most friends.” He squeezes my knee. “I would get out of your way, Bane. I would do that so you could find love and be happy.”

“First of all, you’re not in my way. You’reneverin my way.”

“You know what I mean.”

I have to get this train back on the tracks. “Your turn. Tell me your updated dream.”

He huffs but nods. “Like you, I would hope for friendship first. I would like?—”

“Describe him in present tense. Like he already exists.”

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