“He told me he’s loved me for so lo

“He told me he’s loved me for so long and that he’ll love me forever. God it was so fucking romantic.”

My waterworks are now free flowing and turning towards Joey, I see that he is as much of an emotional wreck as I am. “You’re going to be the most beautiful bride.” I manage through sniffles. “I’m assuming we’re looking at next September or October for the big day?”

“Fuck that noise. I am not waiting a year to marry that man. We’ve decided on September 17th.” Joey gasps and I’m pretty sure I do also. I’m stunned, completely shocked. Is she crazy?

“That’s like three months away,” I say as the shop phone rings.

“Oh please. Have you forgotten who you’re talking to here? I could plan a fabulous wedding in a month if I had to.” I dash behind the counter and grab the phone on the fifth ring. She was right though. If anyone could pull off a spectacular wedding in three months, it was Juls. Besides, I was fairly certain that she’s already planned most of the details without Ian’s knowledge of it.

“Dylan’s Sweet Tooth,” I chirp into the phone as Joey and Juls excitingly talk about the wedding.

“Hi, sweetheart.” My mom’s voice instantly sends my back rigid and I squeeze my eyes shut. Oh great. It’s starting

“Hi, Mom. What’s up?” I ask casually. Please Lord let her be calling to tell me someone died or something else non-romance related. Maybe she’s forgotten all about Reese.

I hear muffled noises in the background, most likely the sounds of my father getting shushed. “Oh, nothing much. So how exactly did you meet Reese? I’m dying to know all about him and Google only tells you so much.”

“You Googled him?” I didn’t even think my mother knew how to use the internet. Now she’s googling the men I’m sleeping with? Hmmm, maybe I should do that.

“Yes. Good grief he’s handsome. Now tell me, how did you two meet?” Oh you know, he nailed me up against a bathroom sink at my ex’s wedding. Crap. I need a distraction and the sight of my bouncing best friends gives me inspiration.

“Mom, Juls is engaged. Isn’t that great? And she’s getting married this September.” Nothing like wedding news to get my mother sidetracked. She was a sucker for hard gossip, especially when it involved my friends.

She gasps dramatically. “That’s wonderful. Oh my, that’s so soon.” I hear her hands clapping together through the phone. “How lovely. Juls will make such a beautiful bride. You know who else would make a beautiful bride?”

What? Shit! I scramble around the counter and grab Joey by the hair, a loud scream emanating from him followed by a string of curse words directed at me. “Oh shit. Gotta go, Mom. Joey’s having a gay emergency. You know him. Love you.” I end the call quickly before she can throw out any questions. Whew. Crisis Averted.

“What the fuck, Dylan? That hurt. And why does it have to be a gay emergency?” Joey rubs his scalp, his face scrunched up in pain as he glares at me.

“Ha! Like there’s any another type of emergency involving you.” Juls laughs.

“Sorry. Really really sorry about that. My mom knows about Reese and I’m trying to avoid her at all costs.” I exhale forcefully. “You know how she is.” I decide to keep the Reese telling my parents that he’s my boyfriend news to myself. I would never hear the end of it.

“Oh, yikes,” he states. “Actually, that reminds me.” He quickly combs through his hair. “You remember how Billy thought it was hilarious that you thought Reese was married?” I nod as Juls moves next to me and faces Joey, her arms crossing over her chest. “Well, I thought that was weird. I mean, why is that so fucking funny? He’s gorgeous. He could have been married.”

“Joey, is there a point to this?” I ask

He huffs in annoyance. “Yes. I asked Billy about it and he said that Reese is completely against getting serious with a girl. He won’t do it.” My stomach rolls. “When they start getting clingy, he moves on to the next one.”

“Joey, that’s enough,” Juls spats.

I blow my breath out. “It’s fine. I figured as much.” But I wasn’t expecting it to hurt this bad to hear it out loud. Shit. I feel like my heart has been shoved into a vice.

He moves closer to me and grabs my hand, stroking the back of it with his thumb. “Dylan, I’m sorry. I just, I don’t want to see you to get hurt.” He squeezes me gently. “I like Reese, I really do and I like him for you, but I don’t know if he’ll ever want you for more than just sex.”

Juls steps in between us and grabs my shoulders. “Don’t listen to him, Dylan. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I don’t care how many girls are lining up for him. He only sees you.” She speaks softly, her hands applying light pressure to my tense shoulders. He is currently only seeing me, I wanted to correct her. But I don’t. I manage to paint on my most convincing I’m not affected by this face and smile.

“It’s fine. I’m fine. I wasn’t expecting this to become a fucking relationship or anything more than what it is so, whatever, I’m fine.” Juls studies me closely as Joey manages half a smile.