Page 13 of His & Hers

“Sorry, not sorry,” she confessed as I studied her for a moment.

Charlotte had been my best friend for years now, and I felt we bonded over our mutual weirdness. She was eccentric: constantly changing her hair color, eye color—anything she could. She was studying art at college and had recently found herself a little boyfriend. I was surprised because I had begun to think she was gay.

“So whatdoesTate like?” I drawled as I scanned my bookshelf, wondering which classic to read next.

“He’s like, the yin to my yang. So he likes everything that is shit in the world.” She beamed, and I laughed.

“Fair enough.”

“So. Have you...you know...” She smirked as I lifted my eyes to hers from the book in my hands.

“No, I don’t know. Say what you mean.” I tried to resist a smile when she wriggled uncomfortably.

“You know. Done it,” she managed to say as her cheeks colored.

“No. I told you. No sex before marriage.”

“Bullshit,” she snorted, waving her hand at me. “You are the hottest virgin I know.”

“I’m theonlyvirgin you know.” I pointed out as she stared into the distance thoughtfully.

“Well, other than my sister-”

“Who’s fourteen.”

“Yes. You are the only virgin I know,” she confirmed with a nod as I looked back to my book. “But that still means you’re the hottest. You can lose it to me if you like,” Charlotte offered, and I sighed.

“It’s not from lack of options, Charlotte.” I pointed out as she rolled her eyes.

“Maybe you’re gay?” she said, and I smiled.

Everyone thought I was gay, my parents included. My dad, the most masculine man on the planet, constantly told me it was okay to ‘come out’ and ‘be yourself’.

“I’mnotgay,” I said, and she sighed.

“It is weird, though. You’re an escort that doesn’t fuck.”

“I love my job,” I argued as I flipped the page of my book over.

“How do you read and have a conversation at the same time?” she demanded.

I shrugged.

“Multitasking.”

“Zane. You’re so beautiful it hurts my eyes. I want to see you happy.”

“Iamhappy.”

“Have you ever met anyone and thought BAM. You’re hot,” she questioned as she began to scroll through her phone.

“Of course,” I laughed, resting my hand behind my head.

“But?”

“But there’s always something wrong.”

“Zay, no one is perfect.” She pointed out.