Upside Down(64)

I fisted his shirt at his back and inhaled deeply before looking at Bonny. “Well, you can tell your mum it all worked out.”

“She’s going to be so pissed she missed this,” she said.

“I also owe her a recipe,” I added. “I’ll have something for her on Monday, I promise.”

Bonny grinned and shook her head. “I cannot believe it’s you two. What a small world.”

Then Hennessy cleared his throat. “I just want to say that while tonight’s topic was personally motivated, it’s still relevant. No matter where we are in our realisation of our sexuality, sometimes a reminder can do us all a favour.”

“I think it proves how relevant it is,” Sabina said. “I first realised I was asexual years ago, but having social expectations and internalised sexualities reaffirmed every now and then is important. My circumstances have changed since I first came out. I’m not the same person. But I’m still valid.”

Nataya put her hand on Sabina’s arm. “You are.”

It was then I noticed that Merry was standing back and that she was crying. I left Hennessy’s hug and collected Merry in my arms. “I still hate you,” I said. “Even if you’re amazing and fabulous and know what I need better than I know myself.”

She snorted into my shirt. “Thanks.”

“You okay?” I whispered.

Merry nodded against my chest. “I’m just happy it all worked out.”

“I think we need Thai food and unlimited Leprechauns,” I suggested.

She sighed. “Sounds perfect.”

When the meeting wrapped up, everyone wished us well and promised to see us next month. It was agreed that the library was a great location, and they all agreed that Hennessy and I made the cutest couple.

Of course we fucking did.

I knew Hennessy and I had a long conversation ahead of us, and I was willing and happy to lay it all on the line. But I also owed Merry and Angus a whole bunch and a night of Thai food, a few drinks, and great conversation with my three most favourite people on the planet sounded like heaven.

We went to Sunan’s, just a few doors down, and took a table. I sat with Hennessy, Merry and Angus sat opposite us, and we ordered a bunch of plates to share. When the waiter left us, Merry winked at me. “So, interesting day, huh?”

“The worst,” I answered. I looked to Hennessy and smiled. “And the best.”

“It started pretty shit,” he said. “But it’s ending better.”

I nodded, and taking Hennessy’s hand on the table, I looked directly at my two best friends. “Thank you. Both of you. Merry, for concocting this whole plan, being the evil mastermind that you are. And Angus, for lying through your teeth and promising me copious amounts of alcohol and not delivering.”

“I did,” he said with a grin. He waved his hand at Hennessy. “Six feet of cognac, did I not?”

Hennessy laughed and conceded a nod. “That’s true. He did.”

“Anyway,” I said. “Thank you both. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be cocooned on my couch being the saddest wallowing burrito ever.”

“You were pitiful at work too,” Merry said.

I shrugged. “That’s true. I was. I wallowed in the basement for eight hours.”

“Because Mrs Mullhearn didn’t want you near the public, given your mood and your tendency to swear,” Merry frowned. “It wouldn’t have ended well.”

“Remind me to thank her on Monday.”

Our food arrived and we ate in silence for a while. “So, Angus,” I said. “Any chance of me meeting your couple? When you told me that’s who we were meeting, I kind of got my hopes up.”

Angus chewed thoughtfully, then set down his fork. “They’ve been asking for a while.”

“They have? Why haven’t you mentioned it?”

“Dunno if it’s what I want,” he said.

“Are you not happy with them?” I asked. “Do you not love spending time with them?”

“Well yeah. But they’re fancy and smart. Smarter than even you, Jay,” he said. “And they’ve got this big flash house, and…” He shrugged.

“And what?”

He met my gaze. “What if I do the meet-the-friends thing, and what if I tell them I will move in with them, and what if I love them, and then what if they don’t want me anymore.”

“Oh, Angus.” I reached over and squeezed his hand. Then I— Wait, what? “Have they asked you to move in with them?”

“It’s been mentioned, but I don’t wanna. They have a big place and said they wanted me to, but I said I have a Jay, and I like living with him. He’s like my big brother, and I’m not too smart, but he looks out for me and won’t break my heart like they could, ya know?”

I was speechless. “Angus.”

“So if you want to meet ’em, you can.”

“Only if you want me to.” I gave him a smile. “And you’re like a brother to me too. And Angus, I can’t really offer any advice for navigating a relationship between three people. I mean, I can barely get one right with two people, as we’ve all borne witness to in the last twenty-four hours.” I gestured broadly to Hennessy. “But what I do know is this: if you’re happy and if it works for you, then take the chance. Because it could just turn out to be the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”