Page 18 of The Dragon's Perfect Omega
I groaned. Sometimes, I wasn't sure why Derick and I were friends. "I didn't call you to ask about gay sex. But you know Lowen better than me."
"Ah, you want to know how to impress your crush?"
"No, I don't." Or did I? All I knew was that I'd needed to talk to someone about this. "I need to show him around town. What do you think he'd like to see?"
"Mmm... good question." Derick took a moment to think about it. "No one appreciates a good view like a dragon. You should take him over to Treasure Island."
I grimaced. Making the trip to Treasure Island would mean crossing the large bridge. I hated that bridge.
"Don't be a wuss," Derick said as if he could read my thoughts. "That bridge isn't going to collapse today. You want to impress your date, show him impressive things. And try not being a coward. Unless you want him to protect you." I could almost see the smirk on my friend’s face.
"As if," I said, although I couldn't completely deny that the image of Lowen protecting me had something alluring about it. I was sure he was strong enough to do it. And if he shifted, he would have wings too... For a second or two, I lost myself in thoughts of what Lowen's dragon form might look like. I was sure he was gorgeous, with shining scales and a large body and big wings.
"Hey, you still there?"
"Yeah." Good thing we were on the phone and Derick couldn't see me blush.
"Thought I lost you there for a moment. Were you fantasizing about your dragon in shining armor?" Ugh. Derick got far closer to the truth than I wanted him to know. What was going on with me? I found guys hot every now and then, yes, but I'd never crushed on them this easily. Everything was just a little bit different with Lowen, but I couldn't say why.
Maybe it was because I got the feeling he could see me for who I really was, even when I didn’t want him to.
"I wasn’t fantasizing,” I lied to Derick. “But my mom walked past the door and I didn't want her to hear anything. I guess you're right about the bridge," I continued before he could question further. "It's probably not going to collapse today. Any other bright ideas?"
On the other end of the line, Derick hummed thoughtfully. "That depends. Do you want me to give you ideas for sightseeing or would you like me to tell you about my favorite date spots in the city?" The grin in his voice was so audible it nearly jumped through the line. He was enjoying my predicament way too much. Maybe I should have called Kathy instead. Made her believe I was doing a favor for a friend.
But as odd as this sounds, I didn't want to lie to her. Yes, in a way, I was lying to her all the time, but that was different in ways I didn't want to think too much about. I was only lying to her to the same extent I was lying to myself.
"I guess..." I started, not knowing how to finish that sentence. "Whatever you think is good." Let him interpret that however he wanted.
"Why don’t you take him on a stroll through one of the parks? Grab some ice cream while you’re at it…" Of course he was going with the date option.
"Derick!" I complained. "Be serious for a moment, okay?"
"I am serious!" he insisted.
"No, you’re not.”
"You could also get cookies,” Derick continued as if I hadn’t said anything.
"Cookies?"
"Yeah, in case you get hungry after making out."
I rolled my eyes at my friend even though he couldn't see it. "We're not going to be making out." I was only showing Lowen around the city and then I was never going to see him again. Thinking about anything else was only going to lead me down a dangerous path. One I wasn't sure I wanted to follow. One I wasn't sure Icouldfollow.
"Yeah, there’s this place called Hot Cookie."
Hot Cookie, where had I heard that name before? After a second, it struck me. I groaned. Derick laughed, that's how I knew I was right. Hot Cookie was the place that made cookies in the form of dicks on a stick. No way was I ever going there. "Don't be so freaking immature," I told him. Next time I needed help with my gay dates, I was definitely calling Kathy instead.
What a weird thought to have.
"I'm going to hang up now," I told Derick.
"Good luck on your date," he told me, still laughing. "If you do end up at the cookie place, send a picture. I've been dying to go there, but never really had the chance."
"Screw you," I said, ending the call. If he wanted to nibble on a sugary dick, he could do that all by himself. I hoped he choked on it.
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