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He nodded "For sure Picnic style"

We didn’t precisely eat picnic style Instead, we settled for finding an eonna wear to the bar?" Stephan asked h afraid the food would disappear if we didn’t finish it quickly We both ate like hungry street kids if we didn’tany differently when it was just the two of us We had nothing to hide from each other It was one of the reasons ere damn near inseparable

"Iyonno," I said with tootheof water fro around almost constantly, to save money on bottled water

"I don’t know," I said more clearly "It’s nice and waruess I don’t feel like dressing up, but I don’t wanna look like a slob when I know everyone else will be dressing up" I gestured at the coreen running shoes I earing "What I’d like to wear is this But I know you’d harass me, so I’ll try to look halfway decent, I suppose"

"You’ll have to help ht I think I just ht be ready to ask Melvin out this ti for the last three weeks, but I just agreed

We went back to our rooht ahead We chatted aot ready

I chose some cuffed, pleated black shorts and a sleeveless black and white blouse with flowery ruffles at the neck It was the kind of outfit I liked best It was coht shoes, and it was dressy enough for just about anything Add practical shoes, and poof, not overdressed

I chose sandals with a short heel tonight I picked silver hoops fro of jewelry that I always packed I woreto myforready first, since I didn’t particularly care how I looked for the outing I sat on Stephan’s bed and patiently watched hi he’d packed

We finally settled on a fitted pale gray polo with so from his slim hips in a very attractive way He adopted the preppy look often, and I thought it suited him He looked like a live Abercrohed it off, but I could tell that he was pleased by the coot to the bar a little before four pm, but it was already a bit of a crush It was not a fancy bar, just an old fashioned Irish pub with a few karaoke nights a week, but it was in the heart of Manhattan and it was friday night, so I was not at all surprised by the crowd

Stephan worked his ed seats at the bar where Melvin orking I’d had no doubt that he would He had a rare combination of chars work out that way Most of the people in this place would never find a seat on a night this crowded

We greeted Melvin warenuinely pleased to see us Especially Stephan, though he was very nice to me I alent out of my way to try and befriend anyone Stephan was interested in He was my only family, and it was inificant

I guessed Melvin was about our age, somewhere in his early twenties He was just shy of six feet tall, and very slender, nearly delicate I couldn’t begin to guess his race, a mix of some kind His skin was a naturally pale coffee color, his black hair cropped very close to his head His eyes were a pale green He was very handsoreat taste, I thought

"What can I get you?" Melvin had to raise his voice a little to be heard above the growing crowd I bitat Stephan I hadn’t had any kind of alcohol in so long that ed and winked at Melvin Whoa, that was bold for him Melvin blushed a little and s with liquor," Stephan told hirinned "Shots or cocktails?"

"One of each Make us your favorite of each," I declared He left with a happy whistle to accommodate us

I was distracted by the sound of soe not to be deafened, but close enough to have a perfect view That was always how it seeo around Stephan He led a charmed life "They start the Karaoke this early?" I asked Stephan, surprised

He shrugged "I guess so It does seeet a little more buzzed before we have to listen to that"

I agreed, laughing