Chapter 59

“A dozen long stemmed red

roses, please,” Paul said once he’d gained the cool and quiet

interior of the shop.

“They’re not cheap I’m

afraid—” the young lady shopkeeper said.

“I know, but—” Paul

blushed.

“Ah, I see.” The woman

smiled.

Paul felt his silly grin

come back.

As she wrapped the

flowers, the florist said, “She’s a lucky lady. Wish someone would

buy me red roses.”

“Uh,” Paul hesitated, then

went on boldly. “Actually it’s a him. And I’m the lucky

one.”

“Oh.” It was the florist’s

turn to blush.

Paul had had plenty of

practice at announcing that he was in love with another man.

Trevor’s reaction had been the most crucial of course, and despite

a few hairy moments, Trevor had stuck pretty much to the script

that Gary had laid out.

Paul had worried about

telling his mates on the cricket team. As he suspected Pete was

great about it, even razzing him about how it had taken him long

enough. Thommo’s reaction was anti-climactic. All he got by way of