Page 15 of The Grumpy Vet
"Fine," I agree, trying to keep the dread from my voice. "I'll be there. But only at the start, and only on one condition."
His eyes light up like he's won a prize at the county fair. "Anything. Name it."
"You have to push yourself."
"More information, please," he says, his eyes narrowing.
"Okay. Like, tonight, I took more of the leading role, right?" He nods, and I continue. "In future, I'll do that less, giving you room to step up."
"I'm going to need concrete examples."
"I can't think of any concrete examples right now. We'll know when we get there."
"No. We won't.Youwill. Because you know how to function around a guy you like that makes you feel all fuzzy inside. I don't. I'll be completely oblivious and miss the most obvious clues."
"You won't be."
"If my past behaviour is any indication…"
"The past is in the past," I say firmly. "Look. We'll figure this out. I'll make it super clear if I'm ever setting you up for anything."
"O-kay."
He doesn't sound convinced. I rack my brain trying to come up with something to allay his concerns. An idea pops into my head. "Let's just keep it simple. Do you know the golden rule of improv?"
"Always say yes?"
"Exactly. If something happens that you weren't expecting, you don't yellCut! You don't ask for a do-over. You just have to respond on the fly and go with it. Whatever it is. No matter how out there or zany or unplanned it was. This is exactly the same. If Linus says or does something you weren't expecting, get out of your own way and say…"
"Yes?" he offers meekly.
"With a bit more confidence would be great, but yeah."
He mulls it over, chewing his lower lip while he does. "That sounds…not too bad."
"Pfft. Not too bad? It's another excellent idea in a long and storied history of excellent ideas. Trust me, it'll work. Say yes, and who knows, one day, Linus might be on one knee in front of you, asking a question you won't have any trouble saying yes to."
Okay, that was a bit too much.For me.
But for Ryde? His whole face lights up like a freaking Christmas tree, proving, in case there was any remaining doubt, that this is what he wants more than anything. That this is more than just some silly crush. His feelings are real, and he wants a proper, forever relationship with someone who isn't me.
And that's…fine.
It has to be.
I take a fortifying breath and remind myself my end goal is to get my old body back and leave Scuttlebutt with less scuttle in my butt.
I've got six months to work on getting us both what we want.
Because I genuinely do want Ryde to be happy…even if it is with someone else.
Linus
"You think they're fucking?"
I walk into the staff lounge right as the question tumbles out of Wilby's mouth.
Fitz shrugs. "Dunno. What do you reckon, Linus?"
