TheystaredateahotherinsilenewhileDraohopedPotterwasn’tabletohearhiserratiheartbeat.HeshouldhavestayedawayfromPotter.Heshouldhavekepthismouthshut.Heshouldhave—
“You’reengaged,”Potterrepeated.Only,thistime,itdidn’tsoundlikeaquestion.“Ian’tbelievethis.”
Draopressedhislipsintoatightline.
“You’refukingengaged!”
Draostartled.WhywasPottergettingsomad?Yes,Draohadkepthiseaseret,buttherewasnoreasonforhimto—
“Whydidn’tyoutellme?”
DraowassurprisedathowhurtPottersounded.
“It’snotoffiial,yet,”hesaid,tryingtoollethimself.
“Oh,ofourse!”Potterthrewhishandsintheair.“WereyouseriouslygoingtostringmealonguntilIreadaboutitinthepaper?”
“Youdon’treadthepaper,”Draoretorted.
“Drao!”Pottersuddenlyseemedlivid.
“What!”Draosnapped.Potterhadnorighttogetmadathim.Hewasn’ttheonewiththeinexpliable,tediousrush!But…whatwasithehadjustsaid?‘Stringhimalong’?Surely,hewasn’timplying—
“Whatexatlywasthepointofthis,then?”Potterasked,gesturingaround.Draowasn’tsureifhemeantthedinneror…theirfriendship?
“Youweretheonewhowantedtobefriends,”Draopointedout.
Potterrakedhisfingersthroughhishair,ausingittolookasifhe’djustbeenoutflying.“Thenyou—Youdon’t—”
Don’twhat?Whatwashetryingtosay?
“IguessI’vebeen…readingthesignswrong.”
Signs?Whatsigns?Was…wasPottersaying—
“Let’sjust,um,fetaboutthis.”
Draoblinked.DidPottermeanthisoion?Thisevening?Everything?Whateverhemeant,Draodidn’twanttobehereanymore.Hewantedtourlupinhisbedanddie.
“Ijustremembered,Iwassupposedtofireallmotherthisevening.Ibettergetgoingbeforeitgetstoote.”