You, Me, and Her

Verse 27: Somewhere Only We Know

While home was the best place to enjoy a dish with someone special, some occasion calls for dining outside and Hal had never appreciated this until he had given himself a chance to see other people without the need to compare to Aidan.

Griffin was a very handsome man, sexy as a damn movie star, and a bona fide graduate from a prestigious university. In short, he was a rare breed and a total catch. He was someone anyone would want and more and Hal should have been contented with that. Yet as the night progressed, he was left with the bittersweet reminder that all of this seemed too bizarre for him and he was clearly not at peace.

As Griffin's Land Rover pulled up to the driveway, he opened the door for Halwyn who was surprised yet pleased with the gesture. They talked for a while as they approached Hal's house, it was evident that Griffin liked him.

"By the way, I wanted to thank you for coming with me to the art museum last time," the man started, trying his best to prolong the conversation. "I didn't think it would be to your liking."

Hal furrowed his brows, wondering, "Why would you think it wouldn't be to my liking?"

Befuddled by the change in Hal's expression, Griffin quickly replied, "I mean, I didn't peg you as someone to like Van Gogh or Monet. It didn't seem to be your style..."

He was right, Hal ruefully thought. It wasn't his style but it was Aidan's favorite artists and when he went there, he was wedged into that corner featuring all of the man's favorite painters and artworks. "Sorry...you're right. But I find them interesting."

"Really? Well, I guess I can ask you to accompany me again for next week's exhibit. We can eat outside, it will be a whole day's activity. What do you think?"

Halwyn looked at him---unsure of what to feel about the invitation. Nevertheless, he forced a smile on his face. "I'll think about it. I had a really nice evening, Griffin. Thank you."

They stand awkwardly outside his door and Hal must admit that though they have gone on several dates now, they just couldn't seem to pass this stage and he was starting to question where this was heading or if it would head to something else or could it be that they were just wasting each other's time.

"Thank you for the lovely evening too, Hal," Griffin had finally withdrawn and Hal could only sigh in relief.

As he watched the man go back to his Land Rover until the vehicle was out of sight, Hal realized what an idiot he was and shook his head. Griffin was such a nice guy and there was more to him than meets the eye. So why couldn't he open his heart to him? Every time they go out, he ends up thinking of the other person. That very same person who broke his heart over and over before he could conclude that he was also in love with him. That same man kissed him out of agitation because, for the first time in his life, someone had turned him down.

Drawing a deep breath, Halwyn came inside the house, dropped his stuff, and sat on the couch. He closed his eyes for a while, trying to relax when a knock on the door pulled him out of his reverie. Hal reluctantly got up, wishing that this wasn't Griffin, for he was not ready to hear him say those words that Hal knew he had been longing to say. If he hadn't thwarted any attempt at confession, he suspected that the man would've asked him to be his lover earlier at the museum.

"Sorry, Griffin? Did you forget something---?"

When he opened the door, he was frozen to find not Griffin outside---but Aidan.

"Hi, Hal..."

Speechless for a moment, Hal gathered his wits before responding, "It's late. Why are you here?"

The Aidan in front of him was a far cry from the Aidan he had met a week ago. He remembered so well what the man looked like that day. Restless with his hair in disarray and his clothes was a disaster that made the whole fashion industry, specifically Eurig, cry.