“Cute,” said Tarek.
“And...okay. This is the thing I kind of can’t forget about. I had this recital. An end-of-year thing at the conservatory. My sister had a playoff game that night, so my whole family went to that instead.”
“Yeah, well, of course,” Vanessa said flatly. “Who gives a shit about their insanely musically talented son when there’s a hockey game to go to?”
“Right. So the thing is, no one in my family was at my recital. But Ryan was.”
Vanessa covered her mouth with both hands. “Fuck. Off!”
Fabian’s cheeks heated. “I know.”
“That is the sweetest thing I have ever heard,” Tarek said.
Fabian’s belly fluttered at the memory of spotting Ryan Price at the back of the auditorium. “I couldn’t believe he was there.”
“And youdidn’trun off the stage into his waiting arms?” Vanessa exclaimed.
“No. Oh my god. As if.” He hesitated, then said, “But...”
Vanessa leaned in. “You have my undivided attention.”
“We took the ferry home together. And it was this beautiful night where all the stars were out, and the moon was full. Just ridiculous. And we had...a moment. I think.”
“A moment? Like what?” Marcus asked.
Fabian was sure his face had gotten a little dreamy as he remembered that night. “There was a second where I thought... I mean, I was sure he was going to kiss me. Or that he was waiting for me to kisshim. But then it passed and that was that.”
Vanessa leaned back in her chair. “That story sucked, Fabian. I hate that story.”
Fabian shrugged. “Sorry.”
“Okay, but why was he at your show last night?” Marcus asked.
“I ran into him at work last week. I told him about the show.”
“Did herecognizeyou?” Vanessa asked.
“Yeah. We talked for a bit. He...he definitely remembered me. He looked at least as stunned as I was.”
“This story is getting good again,” she said.
“So what’s he doing in Toronto?” Marcus asked.
“He, um, he plays for the Guardians now, I guess? And yeah. He looks good.”
“He plays for theGuardians? Are youkidding me?” Marcus pulled his phone out. “What’s his last name?”
“Price.”
He tapped at his phone for a few seconds, and then his eyes bugged out. “Hello, Daddy.”
“I know.”
“So, is he gay, or...”
“Yeah. He told me last night.”
“Seriously?”
