Page 4 of Ancient Obsession

“I don’t know, just a feeling.”

“Huh, not sure how to take that…”

“When’s the wedding?”

Oliver knew it was a deflection on Robin’s part, but went with it. “Nineteen days.”

Robin widened their eyes. “That soon?”

Oliver chuckled and widened his eyes as well. “I know, right?”

“You ready?”

“For the wedding? No. Not at all. To be married to Dave?” A flush of heat went through Oliver, and he smiled. “Absolutely.”

“Good. That’s the way to do it. All right engaged-to-be-married-Oliver, I need to go so I don’t miss my bus.”

“Oh, you don’t drive?”

“No money, no car.”

“I don’t have time to take you all the way to Thorndale, but I could drop you off at the bus stop.”

“Nah, it’s all right. I appreciate it, but I want to stop for a coffee for the ride home.”

“Yeah, of course.” Oliver paused. The urge to offer Robin some money rose up within him, but he figured that would come across as condescending instead of kind. He settled for saying, “I hope it’s a smooth ride home.”

“How hard was it not to offer me something more?”

Oliver’s cheeks burned. “What?”

“Most people struggle with what to say when they find out my story.” Robin hooked their thumbs under the straps of the backpack. “You handled it well, but I was just curious what you didn’t say.”

“I think we all have an innate desire to help others.”

Robin laughed bitterly. “Not all of us.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault, fiancé Oliver.” Robin grinned. “Go home and order your cake.”

“We already have the cake ordered.”

“What flavor?”

“Marble cake with white buttercream frosting and raspberry filling.”

“Marble, nice choice. Two for one. I love a marble cake.” Robin started to walk away, then turned back. “You can bring my invitation to class on Wednesday.”

Oliver scratched his head as he watched Robin walk away. Had he just been adopted by a Gen Z kid?

He fished his key fob from his pocket and unlocked his car. Even though the early May day was pleasant, the sun had warmed the car’s interior, and Oliver removed his windbreaker before getting behind the wheel.

First day of classes down. The rest of the shortened summer semester would, hopefully, be easy, and he and Dave could get married without any glitches.

CHAPTER TWO

“It doesn’t feel right to me.”