It’s time for Tuesday Tales!
Today we have an excerpt from my new WIP The World According to Liam!
Do bear in mind that these snippets are unedited so please be kind if you find any mistakes.
This story may have gay erotic scenes, strong social issues addressed and mature language. If those things offend now is the time to move onto another Tuesday Tales blog. Thanks for stopping by!
“Would you like me to cut that up for you, Liam?” Ebba asked. Liam shook his head but ended up needing some help after all. We sat there, chewing, people passing by speaking all kinds of languages, and yet our table was unusually quiet.
“I like the tuna,” I finally said just to break the tension that had blossomed.
“They dated in college,” Ebba blurted out between bites of pizza. Her dark eyes then, finally, met mine. “I did not know he now owned part of this place or we could have gone somewhere else.”
“Ebba, it’s fine.” She looked ready to weep. “Honestly, it’s okay. I never once thought that a man as appealing as Bryn didn’t date before he met me. Actually, I knew he did. I’ve met a few of his old flames back home in Pittsburgh.”
Relief flooded her face. “Oh, oh thank goodness. I wasn’t sure if he’d discussed Kurt with you. I should have known he would have. Bryn has always been one who believes that being open and honest in a relationship is key. Phew!” She giggled nervously. “How silly of me. There I sat worrying. Goofy Oma has a balloon head filled with air!” Liam bobbed his head, his cheeks too round with pizza to reply. “In all honestly when they broke it off I was relieved. They were far too young to be speaking of such a large commitment. Of course back then they could not have legally married, gay couples could only be registered partners but still they were both—”
I lowered my glass of lemonade. “Wait, they were engaged?”
The look of respite that had just settled on her face took wing. “I…they were…not legally of course because it was not…just a pledge more or less. A youthful troth, nothing that would have stood the test of time. Nothing like you and he have. The rings were cheap little things that they’d picked up during a weekend ski trip in Norway. I think they turned their skin green. I need more lemonade.”
Rings. There had been rings. That sounded a lot like a real engagement to me even if the rings weren’t quality jewelry. I worked hard to shake off the shock.
*~*~*
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Wow! Awesome example of putting your foot in it right up to your knee — and then making it worse!! I love this, how the conversation is kind of normal and low key and then BAM! She drops the bomb! Can’t wait to see what happens now. Well done and great use of the word prompt.
Innovative use of the word prompt! Love this line– “The look of respite that had just settled on her face took wing.”
This is a fascinating scene. I feel bad for her unfortunate disclosure and then making it worse. I think we can all commiserate from some point in the past.
Well done. Awkward moment made worse. Loved the image of a balloon head.
Oh wow. I’m heartbroken for him. It seems like he needs some answers to this! And I love the line about Liam’s cheeks full of pizza. Great job!