Page 30 of Out of the Storm

“What do you mean?”

Gary hesitated, letting his gaze drift out around the now-empty lecture hall before returning to Mel. She stared at him impatiently, her expression eager. Of course. Truth time. Gary ran a hand through his hair and then explained, “So, every night, a couple of minutes before the end of my program, I’ve been intentionally sharing some... incorrect factoids. Just, you know, stuff I know Jeff would feel the need to correct me on.”

“Gary!”

Gary winced. “I know.”

“I’m so happy for you!”

“Now, see,that”—Gary paused and pointed to Mel’s enormous smile before continuing—“isexactlywhy I’ve been staying away from you. You really shouldn’t be encouraging me.”

“It’s nice to see you happy.”

“But I’m not happy. Or, I mean, Iam, but I shouldn’t be. I really, really like him, Mel. For real. Not... not like I’d liked themen I’d been with back in school. We’ve been talking so much and... he’s... well, I like him a lot. He’s perfect. Which means I’ll either end up with him or be rejected by him. And if I end up with him, I’ll smother him. So, either way, I’m setting myself up for heartbreak. Probably a healthy dose of humiliation too.”

Mel lightly smacked him on the chest with the back of her hand. “Stop that.”

“I need to force myself to take a step back somehow. Do you think you should cut my phone line?”

“Oh yeah, that’ll work,” Mel remarked, her voice thick with sarcasm.

“You’re right. It won’t. I’d bike right over to his house.”

“You’re making yourself sound like a stalker.”

“Did you miss the part where I’m purposefully misleading my very trusting listeners so that Jeff will keep calling me?”

“Just tell him you want him to call you,” Mel said, her voice softer and kinder and much more sincere now. “Like a normal person.”

Gary huffed a small laugh. “I’ve never been normal.”

“Terrible courting practices aside, I’m proud of you, Gare. It’s really brave of you to finally let yourself like someone. You’re putting yourself out there.” Mel placed a hand on her hip and said, “Even if you are doing it in a really stupid way.”

“Thanks. I think.” Gary looked at his watch. “I have to bike back home soon, but I think I have time for a cup of coffee. Do you want one? I’m sure you have a couple more Ken stories for me. I’d love to listen.”

Mel’s smile broadened. “Yeah, sure.”

So, Mel and Gary left for the student center and each had a cup of coffee while they chatted and caught each other up with everything that had been going on since they’d talked last. The whole time, Gary couldn’t stop himself from thinking about Jeff.

And later, as Gary was biking home, he wasstillthinking about Jeff, only now he was trying to wrestle with the notion that he probablyshouldtry to cut back on the time they spent chatting on the phone. Not only was he setting himself up to have his heart shattered, but he was also running himself ragged.

Gary knew he hadwaytoo much on his plate. Or maybe he had too many plates overall. Something had to change. Even the most seasoned middle-aged truck stop waitress wouldn’t have been able to balance so many plates without something toppling over.

While Gary was still lost in thought, he turned onto his street, and, lo and behold, Jeff was waiting for him in the driveway, leaning against his beautiful blue Cadillac and lookingsoincredibly cool. Cool enough to send shivers up Gary’s spine. Cooler than ice. Cooler than absolute zero. Yes, Jeff was cooler than was theoretically possible. Geez, someone ought to tell him that he had no right breaking the laws of nature like that. But Gary was not about to be that person.

“Hey, Billy Boy,” Gary called as he pedaled closer, trying to sound cool too, but probably sounding silly instead.

Which Jeff basically confirmed with the way he simply cocked an eyebrow in response.Way to be, Gare!Gary slowed his bike to a stop.

“So, what brings you to the Château de Graham?” he asked.

Wow, that was somehow even sillier, wasn’t it?

“I thought I’d watch your show.”

Gary shook his head, flabbergasted and stunned, as a little blip of confused excitement zipped through his veins, making his heart flutter with hope. “You... what?”

Jeff shifted his weight from one foot to the other, now looking uncomfortable.

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