“Can I ask you a question?” Andi asked one morning.
Christian shrugged and took another bite out of his jam coated toast. “Sure.”
“Can I ask a question about you and Olli?”
Christian didn’t usually appreciate questions about his personal life. His private life was his own, and he liked it that way. If someone pushed for an answer he could always refer them to Olli who was more than willing to go on ad nauseam about everything. Still, Andi was an old friend and Christian figured he could handle anything he might throw out.
“Okay fine, but you only get one, and if it has anything to do with the mechanics of things I’m not answering. You can learn about that on Youtube.”
Andi spread his hands wide and nodded. “That sounds fair.”
Taking a sip from his coffee Christian sat back. “So what’s your question?”
“Do you guys do flowers?”
Christian raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“Flowers. Do you two give each other flowers?”
“Is that seriously your question? I meant it when I said you only got one.”
“Yes, I’m curious.”
The correct answer, the true answer, or at least the answer that was correct and true for Christian was; It’s actually never come up, but if I found out Olli liked flowers it wouldn’t kill me to occasionally pick up a bunch of marigolds, and if he got them for me I wouldn’t be mortally offended.
Christian didn’t say any of this. Sitting across the table Andi looked so sincere, so curious, so open, so honest that Christian couldn’t help but mess with him.
“No. Actually, gay couples in Europe fold Euros into origami shapes for their partners. Or at least the guys do. I’d have to ask Stella if lesbians exchange flowers.”
Andi blinked. “You’re full of it.”
“Why do you think Olli always has cash on him?”
Andi rolled his eyes. “I don’t believe you, Christian.”
“For our anniversary,” Christian pushed on. “Olli’s got his heart set on a giraffe made from a twenty. I’ve been trying, but it’s harder than you’d think.”
Andi snagged the last of Christian’s toast, and shoved the slice into his mouth. “I’m sorry I asked.”
