Charlie grinned to himself as Scott’s second text came in, his stomach flipping over as he read it. It was a good thing the library was quiet today, or everyone would have known he was excited over something.
It had been a long time since he’d felt this good about talking to someone. Scott made him so happy that he couldn’t contain it. Everything about him seemed so wonderful, and Charlie could feel Scott opening up and coming to terms with the fact that he maybe had feelings for him.
It was exciting to be a part of it. Watching Scott discover himself was amazing.
I think we should go on an official date. Tonight.
Charlie read the text over and over, barely stopping himself from squealing out loud. Scott wanted to go on a date with him.
They’d been on several dates already, as far as Charlie was concerned, but this time they were calling it that. It was a huge step for both of them.
I’d love that, Charlie responded. Where are we going?
It’s a secret, Scott texted back. I’ll pick you up at eight?
Charlie couldn’t agree fast enough, his fingers mashing the on-screen keyboard so badly that even autocorrect couldn’t work out what he’d been trying to say. He deleted the mess of letters he’d ended up with to try again.
I’ll be ready. How do I dress?
Comfortably.
Comfortably sounded promising. Scott didn’t seem like the candlelit dinner type, and Charlie definitely wasn’t. One of his favorite dates ever had been roller skating.
Especially because he was a terrible roller skater and he’d ended up falling on top of his date a lot. The sex afterward had been amazing, even if he’d been covered in bruises the next day. Mostly from the falls.
“You’re glowing.”
Charlie looked up to see his mom approaching the desk, carrying a plastic food container. She brought him lunch sometimes, since it was only a five-minute walk to the library from home.
Charlie blushed, looking down at his phone again. It would have been weird to hug it, but he still had the urge to.
He was so excited he felt like his heart was in danger of actually bursting.
“Am I?” he asked, trying to keep his voice even. His mom would tease him endlessly about having a new boyfriend.
“You are,” she insisted. “Is it because of the handsome boy with the dog? I like him.”
Unfortunately for Charlie, his mom knew him too well. There was no way he could lie his way out of this. “His name is Scott, and he wants to go on a date tonight.”
“So I shouldn’t wait up for you?” Mrs. Jules raised an eyebrow.
“You haven’t waited up for me in years,” Charlie said.
“Not so you could see,” she responded. “Where are you going?”
“I have no idea.” Charlie shrugged. “I’ve been told to dress comfortably and that he’ll pick me up at eight.”
His mom nodded thoughtfully. “Sounds exciting. Do you want to eat early tonight, or will you have dinner out?”
“I guess we’ll have dinner out at some point. If not, I’ll abandon him and come home for leftovers.”
Mrs. Jules chuckled. “If he’s smart, he’ll feed you so you don’t,” she said. “I’m so happy for you. It’s been so long since you dated. I was afraid you were never going to again.”
“Gee, thanks, mom.” Charlie smiled wryly. He knew his mother didn’t mean any harm by it, but the reminder that he was hopeless when it came to his love life wasn’t one he needed right now.
He had high hopes with Scott. He needed to break his normal dating pattern if he wanted to keep him.
Of course, it was less a pattern and more a kind of person he tended to pick. Scott seemed different. Sweeter. Kinder. Charlie felt as though he could trust Scott with his heart.
“You know what I mean. I just want you to be happy, honey. You were talking about leaving here to find someone, and I don’t want you to have to move away from your home for the sake of a hypothetical boy.”
“I know, mom,” Charlie said, taking the container from her. He’d talked to her about applying for jobs out of town, like he did about most things in his life. Nothing had come of it yet. “What is this?”
“It’s half a Spanish omelet. Eat it while it’s still warm,” she said. “And invite Scott over for dinner sometime. I’ll invite Owen and Jude and Kayla for the same night, so it won’t be awkward. Just a big family dinner.”
Charlie liked the sound of that. He loved that Scott was someone he felt he could bring home for a family dinner and not have to apologize for him or explain him or anything else like that. Scott was a wonderful man. Charlie was lucky to have caught his attention at all.
“I will,” Charlie promised. “Thanks, mom. For the omelet and for approving of my choice of boyfriend.”
“He doesn’t have the official stamp yet,” Mrs. Jules joked. “You have to bring him over first. Then we’ll see.”
“Okay.” Charlie cracked open the container his mom had handed him and found both a generous serve of omelet and a fork inside. “I love you, mom.”
“I love you too, honey. I’ll let you work in peace. Good luck on your date in case I don’t get a chance to talk to you before you go out.”
Charlie waved as his mom walked away, already halfway through his first bite of lunch. He hummed happily as he chewed on it, savoring his mother’s cooking like he always did. Maybe he could convince Scott to stay with him on the basis that his mom would cook for them alone.
He needed to get through their date first.
For once, though, he wasn’t nervous at all. He already knew Scott. He knew they’d have a great time together.
All he had to do was show up, and he could hardly wait.