Page 42 of A Match Made In Evan
I pull out my phone and bring up the Uber app, plugging in the details for our trip while I feel Andi’s gaze boring into me. The app tells me a driver will be with us in three minutes. Three long, agonisingly awkward minutes.
“Done,“ I tell her, fingers itching to type an SOS message to my boyfriend.
“Wow,” my colleague shakes her head. “Well, I can’t exactly compete with a dick, can I?” She grins at me. “They’re pretty awesome, huh?”
What the hell is happening?
“I…”
Looping her arm in mine, Andi gives my bicep a squeeze. “I’m going to need to hear the whole friends-to-lovers story,” she continues to chat happily, completely unaware of my brain melting down at the turn the conversation has taken. “It’s so sweet. And,oh, you’ve known him since you were kids, right? So he’s also been there for Mia’s whole life…it’ssoromantic!”
Ignoring the fact that I haven’t told her our getting together story, I nod. “It kind of is, yeah. Took us both by surprise, but” —a goofy smile works its way across my face— “yeah.”
“I’m so happy for you, James. Really.” She gives my bicep another squeeze. “Am I the first person you’ve told?”
“Am I that obvious?”
“I mean…you just seemed really nervous, but that could have been because I was propositioning you all of fifteen minutes ago.” She cringes. “Sorry again about that.”
“I’m sorry I was too wrapped up in what’s been going on with Ev to notice. If things were different…”
“Oh,” she blinks as our Uber pulls into the hotel’s driveway, “you’re still into women?”
“Uh, yeah. I’m bi, not gay.”
Her red, lipstick covered lips draw up into a smirk, and she playfully teases, “Then maybe I can compete with him after all.”
Something inside me settles at how easily she rolls with my coming out. Like it’s not a huge deal. I laugh and shake my head. “Nah; I think he’s the one.”
The Uber pulls up and, as I open the front passenger door, confirming my name with the driver, I gesture for Andi to take the seat. She hesitates and softly says, “Thank you for trusting me with this, James. I’m honestly honoured that I’m the first person you’ve told.”
Then she slides into her seat, and I take the one behind her, the conversation ended now that we’re in the car.
My heart feels lighter, and I can’t help but grab for my phone to text Ev.
Me
I just came out to Andi.
It went well.
I think we can tell Mia now. And our parents.
I get his reply just as we pull up to the client’s building twenty minutes later.
Ev
I’m so proud of you, baby. As soon as you come home, we’ll tell the whole world.
There’s no sense of anxiety over that promise. Instead, all I feel is excitement and a sense of rightness.
Me
God, I love you.
Ev
I love you, too.
