Page 66 of Best Wrong Thing

We keep walking and find two shopping centres—which remind me of outdoor markets—with a greater variety of stores, including supermarkets.

Farther along, we discover a huge sign for Yumbo Centrum, with a cartoon dinosaur, above a set of pale terracotta steps.

Archer shields his eyes with his hand. “I think this is the place to be if you’re LGBTQ+.”

“Seriously? The sign makes it look kid-friendly.”

He pulls the guidebook out of his pocket and flicks through it, then reads a page. “It says it’s family-friendly by day and an LGBTQ+ hotspot by night. Let’s check it out.” He puts the book away and jogs up the steps.

Swept along by his enthusiasm, I follow. It’s quiet, but then it’s still early. The shopping centre is on multiple levels and has a variety of shops selling clothes, sunglasses, flip-flops, souvenirs, and other bits and pieces, including a pharmacy, a supermarket, and a tattoo parlour. We discover a trove of eateries and pubs. Several shops have various LGBTQ+ flags or signs proclaiming they’re inclusive or safe.

It’s a huge maze we could get lost in.

I nudge Archer and point at a banner for Scruff Fashion, with two fit, extremely well-hung guys wearing too-tiny underwear. “Family-friendly?”

He laughs. “I appreciate it. They’re hot.”

The nightclubs are shut for the day, but we’d have tons to choose from if we decided to return at night. I can easily imagine dancing with Archer with my hands on his skin, which would be hot and and sweaty from disco lights.

Archer grabs a pair of sunglasses from a stand and puts them on. “Do they suit me?”

The sunglasses are far too big for his face, and the violent shade of orange clashes with his complexion.

“No.”

“Are you sure? How about these?” He swaps them for a pair of equally hideous green ones and struts up and down in front of the shop. He pulls the glasses down his nose and flutters his lashes.

I can’t help but laugh. “Gorgeous.”

“Try these on.” He hands me a slightly nicer pair of black-and-yellow ones.

I indulge him, squinting at my reflection in the mirror on the sunglasses stand. “They make me look like a bumble bee.”

“I’m okay with that. He’s the best Transformer.”

I snort-laugh. “Jazz is the coolest.”

“Cool, yes. But adorable? No.”

I put the sunglasses on the stand.

“Rainbow flip-flops!” Archer grabs my hand and pulls me across to the opposite shop, which contains LGBTQ+ clothing.

I smile as Archer tries a pair of flip-flops and goes inside to browse the huge variety of T-shirt designs. Thanks to him, my mood has lifted. It’s impossible to be unhappy when he’s near. He’s breezy, bright, and bubbly, which is exactly what I need in my life.

“We should get this for your dad.” He holds up a black T-shirt that says ‘I’m an Ally’ in distressed block capitals. A fist rises from the word ‘Ally’.

I burst out laughing.

Archer turns the T-shirt. “You have a dirty mind, Jacob Hart.”

I point at the fist.

He rolls his eyes. “So dirty. It’s supposed to be a—Well, I’m sure it’s not supposed to bethat.” He puts it down and shows me one that says ‘Proud Ally’ with three gnomes in Pride colours, waving Pride flags.

“Dad wouldn’t wear that.”

“But the gnomes are so cute. You’d look great in this one.” He shows me a black T-shirt with the Pride flag colours in a chalk effect across the chest.