Page 62 of The Build-a-Boyfriend Project
“Let’s start meeting for lunch.”
“Why?”
“That’s something that couples do. Just a few times a week. But let’s start tomorrow. You know where I work, and I take my lunches at noon.”
“Okay. I usually work through mine since I’m remote, but we can try it.”
“And . . .” Eli braces himself. “My mom wants to meet you.”
Peter can’t hide the shock in his voice. “Your mom?”
“I might’ve lied and said we’re seeing each other to get her off my back,” Eli explains. “But I figured it might be good as a test of sorts. Put the things you’ve learned into practice.”
“I don’t like how much sense that makes.”
“Yeah, you’re telling me.” Eli unbuckles his seat belt.
“Actually, I have an idea,” Peter begins. “It’s not until Halloween, though.”
“Give it to me.”
“My office has these monthly outings where the SF and Oakland teams all hang out. I’ve never been because . . . well, you know.”
Eli indeed does know.
“But . . . if you’d want to go with me, that might be fun?”
“Look at you, branching out.” Eli beams.
“I think your lessons are working already.”
“What can I say, I’m a great teacher.” Eli dares to open the car door, letting the cold air hit his skin, goose bumps appearing in an instant. “We can go out this weekend if you’re free?”
“Yeah, sounds good.”
“Good night, Peter.”
“Night, Eli.”
Eli climbs out of the car and marches up the steps to his building, digging his keys out of his backpack to slip them into the front door. Through the glass of the front door, he can see Peter waiting for him. Eli waves at him, and Peter waves back before he drives off.
His body might ache, he’s in desperate need of the longest shower of his life, and he embarrassed himself in front of half a dozen ten-year-olds, but Eli can’t help but consider the night a success.
Bit by bit, he’s peeling back Peter’s layers. He can see the real man underneath blossoming into the person that he really is.
Slowly but surely, he’s getting to know the real Peter Park.
And Eli likes what he sees.
Chapter Eight
My Own Private Idaho, dir. by Gus Van Sant
“Eli, do you mind staying behind?” Michael asks as the rest of Eli’s coworkers all gather their notebooks and tablets, leaving on the table rings of condensation from their iced coffees that Eli knows he’s going to have to clean later.
It’s hard to hide his annoyance. Thanks to the rock climbing, pretty much everything except his head aches, though Michael’s doing his best to remedy that.
Gwen from IT shoots Eli a sly glance that seems to sing You’re in trouble . . .
