Wow!
Hugo had it bad because he was in love all the way. It was the first time in years I'd seen him like this and it was really wonderful. So free, so happy, so boring! I mean, this guy was talking flowers and gifts and romantic dinners.
Wow!
And of course, the fatalist in me was afraid for him. I thought, "it's been far too long since Hugo's had a real relationship like this, he's forgotten how quick the first blush of love fades."
I remembered what it was like with me and Andrew-- meeting over three years ago and having it feel like the rug being pulled out from under me, dinners all over town, weekend vacations, presents ... and then reality sets in.
These past few months of us living together for the first time had been the hardest thing in my whole life-- and then in stepped Mark Fitzgerald, who only made things worse. I couldn't be monogamous for too long before I found myself "doing it" with Andrew's ex... what was Hugo going to do when this came along for him?
I did my best. I told him to, "slow down, there's no such thing as going too slow, Hugo. And you have to play the game a little. Get him to want you, hold back a little -- jeez, it's cliché but it's true."
Hugo didn't hear a word and was so happy, started handing out free biscotti to everyone.
"Love Cookies all around" he declared.
I buried my head in my iced mocha.
"Hey, we haven't been golfing in months, Hugo. What do you say we take off this weekend? You know, up the coast for a couple days-- my treat?"
"I can't, I'm booked every weekend for the rest of the month."
I knew what was happening now-- that period where your friend is dating someone new and they disappear from your life till it gets broken off and then they're back on your doorstep begging for you to hold them till it stops hurting.
I've played that game.
And Hugo was just getting started. God, I hoped Kurt-The-Detective wasn't gonna break my friend's heart.
