Page 8 of Curious
“Well, let me look at the rates,” Noah says.
August nods and shrugs. “What he said.”
“Got it. I’ll find out the rates.” Demi tilts her head. “In any case, congrats, newlyweds. How do you two like being married? What’s different?”
Noah thinks about it for a moment. “It’s hard to say. We were so close, and we had so many inside jokes and shared memories already.”
“And it’s not like you need to get married to have sex anymore,” August says. Noah elbows him. “What?” August protests. “It’s true.”
“I guess that’s why so many people don’t bother with marriage nowadays,” Noah says. “I mean, it has legal consequences, for sure—although with us, since we already jointly owned the law firm, it doesn’t feel that much different.”
“We were already a couple—just not in the romantic sense—before we knew it.” August catches Noah’s mock glare and corrects himself. “BeforeIknew it.” He gets a kiss from Noah for that.
“But there issomethingdifferent,” Noah says slowly. “Otherwise August wouldn’t have proposed so many times that I lost count. And I wouldn’t have wanted him to.”
I count on my fingers. “So marriage is inside jokes, shared memories, sex, and legal consequences. Good to know.”
Everyone laughs. “I suppose that’s one definition,” Noah says. “I think it’s also having someone to stick up for you. Oh, and love. You know, the big reason people get married.”
Love. That would be nice.
“That’s cool,” Demi says. “For now, marriage means filling out health insurance forms.”
“And thank you for wrangling our benefits,” Noah says. He hands August a cup of coffee, and they leave while Demi does something on the iPad.
I’m realizing how easy I have it, compared to Cam and anyone else without good benefits. A few clicks, and I’m covered.
Thinking about Cam makes me worry. I’m hoping his ankle isn’t as bad as it seems—but he was in a lot of pain last night, even if he was trying to hide it. When he came by my room to give me ointment and ice, I didn’t miss his grimace every time he moved.
“Okay.” Demi turns to me and Alden. “What about you two? Any changes?” Alden looks at her questioningly, and she clarifies, “In your insurance.”
“I don’t think so,” I say.
“Can you only change health insurance at the end of the year?” Alden asks.
“If you have a life change, like you have a kid or get married, you can change it immediately. But otherwise, our policies require waiting until open enrollment.”
“No kids, not married, no changes,” I say.
“Same,” Alden says. Although his ears pink.
“What is this?” I ask teasingly. “What are you not telling us?”
“I was just thinking about marriage, that’s all.” Alden didn’t notice Danny, his tall, dark, and handsome boyfriend, walk in behind him, followed by another attorney, Sam Stone. Like the rest of the lawyers, Danny’s in a sharp suit, and he has a precise fade haircut. Sam’s wearing a bow tie. He’s very blond and dating a very famous rock star, Julian Hill.
“Do you want to get married?” I ask Alden, holding in my smirk. Danny raises an eyebrow, and he and Sam exchange looks.
Alden nods. “Yeah, I think I do. Someday.”
“That so?” Danny asks, and Alden jumps. I put a hand over my mouth to stifle a laugh, and Sam and Demi grin.
“Sheesh, you startled me,” Alden says.
“Sorry,” Danny says, not sounding at all sorry. He gives Alden a quick kiss. “Should we be talking about this marriage thing?”
“Um,” Alden stammers. “No? Yes? I don’t know.”
Danny smiles at him. “How about when you’re ready for it?”
