Page 4 of Once Upon An Ever After
“Because my fiancé has the emotional aptitude of a goldfish?” Felix chuckled. “You’re forgetting how closed off Gibson was before I came on the scene. He purposefully worked eighty-hour weeks so he wouldn’t have time for a personal life. I think that despite how close they all are now, there’s a lot that the three Frost brothers don’t talk about.”
“That’s probably true.” Beau said, thinking of some of the conversations he’d had with Dawson about his brothers over the last year.
“If it helps at all, Gibson thinks Dawson is probably bisexual, like Bran.”
“Butwhydoes he think that?” Beau blew out a rough breath. “He doesn’t have any proof which only makes it wishful thinking at bests. Just like me hoping Dawson’s gay because I fell for him the first time he ever smiled at me.”
“Oh honey.” Felix reached out and patted his arm, “I don’t think he’s straight. Not completely. Not when I see the way he is with you.”
“But?” Beau looked up at his friend, knowing Felix wouldn’t shy away from the hard truth.
“But whether he is, or isn’t, you can’twillhim to love you the way you love him. It’s clear to me that there’s something between you two but until he’s ready to admit it and explore what that something is… all you can do is be his friend and wait to see if that day comes.”
Beau took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He nodded. He knew that. Of course he knew that. But knowing didn’t mean that the idea of continuing to hide his feelings for Dawson and stay within the confines of the friend zone didn’t make him ache.
“I know.”
Felix furrowed his brow, “Maybe it’s time you consider… moving on?”
“Fe...” Beau winced.
“I’m serious. Maybe you should start dating again. You haven’t been out with anyone in months.”
“You know why I’m not dating.”
“Because you have it bad for your supposedly straight best friend.” Felix huffed and Beau glared at him.
“You just told me to wait for him.”
“Don’t put words in my mouth.” Felix glared right back, “What I meant was, stay friends with him because that’s what you are, and be there for him if the day comes when and if he needs to confront his sexuality. I didn’t mean to wait for him to realize he’s in love with you because whatever this thing is between you and Dawson, I don’t think it’s healthy for you to put your life on hold with nothing but a wild hope that someday, maybe, Dawson will be able to admit he has feelings for you.” Felix softened his expression, “Go out. Date. Maybe if he really does have feelings for you, seeing you with someone else will wake him up and make him realize he doesn’t want to lose you.”
Beau leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, “So it’s a wild hope now?”
Felix sighed, “Of course you’re stuck on the one thing I said that could piss you off instead of all the rest. Now you’re mad and you’re not going to listen to anything else I have to say, are you?”
“You know me well.”
“I do.” Felix sighed. “We’ve been friends for a long time, B. I only want the best for you.”
“And you don’t think Dawson is it?”
“I think…” Felix seemed to be considering his words carefully. “I think Dawson is an amazing person, but if he was right for you, then you wouldn’t have to hide how you feel about him. I think if he doesn’t know that you’re madly in love with him then he’s blind or willfully ignorant and if it’s the latter, then he’s been leading you on knowing full well how you feel and youdodeserve better than that, Beau. You do and I won’t apologize for saying so. He might be family but so are you and I want the best for you both, even if that’s not each other.” Felix held his hands up when Beau’s jaw flexed and it was clear he wasn’t going to speak, “Fine, I’m waving the white flag, okay? That’s the last I’ll say about it.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.” Felix took another sip of his coffee and the two of them sat in silence for a long moment.
Beau picked up his own coffee mug and took a long drink. It was still hot and the liquid scalded his throat. He didn’t mind. It was nothing compared to the pain in his chest when he thought about giving up on Dawson and moving on.
Behind him, someone cleared their throat and Beau nearly choked on the drink he’d just swallowed. He spun around in time to see Dawson step into the room. He wasn’t looking at Beau but it was hard to tell if that was on purpose, because he’d overheard the conversation, or if he was just watching where he was stepping because of all the wedding paraphernalia on the floor. Beau shot a worried glance at Felix but his friend didn’t look at him either.
Bastard.
“That was Uncle Roman. He said the company we rented the chairs and tables from is at his house even though they’re not supposed to be there until tomorrow for the rehearsal. I need to head over there and check on things.” Dawson finally glanced up and his gaze instantly met and held Beau’s. “Did you want to go with me or do you need to stay here and finish up the flower arrangements with Felix?”
“I uh…” Beau started but his friend spoke over him.
“I need him here with me.”
