Page 25 (1/2)

Moly and dressed like a hippie in flowy skirts She went barefoot in the house during all seasons, played cal moodproperties The one on the kitchen sill no doubt had some mystical powers

She caught my stare on cue and pointed at the candle “Lavender relieves stress and helps with congestion I thought it ies flared”

“Oh Thanks” I bit into a berry and wiped my hand on the napkin

“Well, what’s the problem, my love?”

“So for advice, and I don’t knohere to begin”

“What kind of advice?” She slid a cup of chamomile tea in front of me and poured some for herself

I gave her a brief rundown of Blake’s co out any mention that I’d actually had intie the sex part In fact, ht get the wrong idea and want to ask hi to happen

“He seems like a curiously well-adjusted closeted person, but I think he lasses along my nose, then picked up my teacup “I’m not sure why he thinks I can help him I’m obviously unqualified”

“Not true You’re good at being you, Asher,” she replied kindly “You’re comfortable in your skin, yet you know your limits I don’t know anyone who exudes self-confidence quite like you”

I gaped in dis my hand over my heart “Me? Really? Sure, I know I’m smart and I dress well, but…that’s useless information to him”

She hid a s to You know yourself and you respect yourself Not everyone has your ‘take me as I am’ attitude”

“I didn’t know I had it”

“You do And you have tons of close friends and confidants who know the real you It sounds like he doesn’t have that”

“Well, what can I do about that? I can’t find new friends for him”

“You don’t have to He has you, Ash You’re his friend and you’re gay I suggest spending ether”

“Oh, but…what if people mistakenly think we’re a couple? ’Cause we’re not,” I added quickly

“That’s the crux of it, isn’t it? What others think But it’s your skin, and you’re the one who has to live in it” Mom set her cup on the island with a loud clink

“Him, not me I’m fine” I put my hands in the air in surrender

“I know, I know Here’s a thought…suggest a three-part plan Step one, spend ti, “have him introduce you to his friends and you can introduce hiuys They’d welcome him”