Page 30 of All I Want Is Love
“Does that mean…” he pauses. “What does it mean?”
“Well, obviously I would love to date you,” I say. “That is if you agree to it.”
I expect him to either ask for some more time or to hide back in his shell, but he looks at me wide-eyed as if my words just completely surprised him. “You want to date me? Like… a potential boyfriend?”
“That’s what I am hoping for.” I pause. “Too much, too soon?”
“No!” he exclaims. “I just have never dated before. The scene I was in before was mostly just hook-ups, you know. But I always…” He makes a wide gesture with his hand, looking frustrated.
I take his hand. “You don’t need to explain yourself.”
“Something was missing. But I thought I just couldn’t have a relationship. Like it would be impossible. My parents couldn’t know.” He pauses. “Now I don’t care who knows. I want to date you.”
Something in my stomach makes a backflip in joy. It’s been so long that I felt this...
The butterflies.
Barkley bumps into us with his thick head, letting his tongue hang down while staring at us. “He is hungry,” I chuckle.
Leo smiles. “Actually, he is not the only one.”
I take his hand, finally leading us towards a free table. I am used to being the odd one out; besides, being the vet means everyone knows me anyway. None of them even bats an eye at us first kissing and then talking so seriously.
Only when I sit down does it truly settle in that I kissed Leo, and that I asked him out.
And he said yes.
Once Robin finds out, he will have a field day with me, because I always claimed I don’t believe in love at first sight, and look at me now? I barely know Leo; he arrived here maybe two weeks ago, and that’s all it took me to fall for him.
I know this doesn’t mean much. We’ll see if he reciprocates my feelings and if we work well together, but he is worth the jump.
eleven
*LEO*
Robin and I sneeze in unison. “Barkley has so much fur, I believe there is a second dog hidden beneath it,” Robin complains.
“Thanks for agreeing to help me with brushing him,” I say. “Yesterday when I returned from the hike, I was exhausted, and he was too, but a day in the snow… well… let’s just say he needs the dirt to be brushed out.”
Barkley enjoys the groom, turning on his back and showing us his belly. “He is such a cutie,” Robin sighs. “Makes up for the tons of fur.”
“He is the best,” I say, wrapping my arms around my boy and cuddling him. “He is such a kind and innocent soul. He accepts everyone, no matter who or what they are.”
“Yes, sometimes I feel like we don’t even deserve pets by how badly some people treat them,” Robin says.
“Yeah, for real.” I pause. “Robin, can I ask you something?”
“By the swamp monster, you are asking me a question?! Yes, go, ask, anything!”
I grin at his excitement. “The swamp monster?”
“It’s always been my favorite,” he grins. “So, the question?”
“How was…” I pause. “How did you come out to your family?” I finally dare to ask, instantly scared that I might have crossed a line.
Robin doesn’t seem to mind, he just looks happy to answer my question. “My mom’s not alive anymore. My dad raised me, and he struggled a lot. He is not a really loving parent, you know? He just did what he had to do, but he didn’t like being a parent. So, when I told him, he never gave a fuck. I wasn’t even scared of telling him because I knew he wouldn’t care either way. However, I was much more scared to tell my grandma. She was really supportive, thankfully. As for my friends, I didn’t have any aside from Soren. And well, you know he is gay, so he truly didn’t give a flying fuck, and was just happy that I felt comfortable enough to come out.”
I nod thoughtfully.
