Matchmaker (Empire High #4) - Ivy Smoak Page 0,142

because he was getting teary eyed.

“I don’t even think I’d be a wedding planner if she hadn’t told me I could do it. I owe that girl everything. And she never got to see me living my dream.” He grabbed a napkin and blew his nose. “See!? Now I’m a blubbering mess. Oy vey.”

“It’s fine, Justin. Trust me, I understand.”

Justin blotted away the rest of his tears and smiled. “And here we both are. Crying over a girl. Whoever thought two gay men would be doing that on a date? We’re acting like straight guys.”

“Uh…what now?” Was he talking about me? Were we expecting a fourth person? “Where’s Penny?”

“How should I know?”

“Because we’re meeting her here?” It was a guess. Because I honestly had no idea Justin was going to be here. I guess he was the surprise? A blast from the past. Shit, did this mean Penny did know about Brooklyn?

“No, honey. This is a date. Penny set us up. She told me all about how you’ve been hiding in the closet all these years…”

“I haven’t been hiding in the closet.”

“Oh. Oh, no. You’re not out yet? I swear to God, that girl promised you’d be excited about this.”

“I’m not gay, Justin.”

“Of course you are. I mean, I totally get it. I heard what you said at the funeral. That you’d love Brooklyn and only Brooklyn until you died. And hopping onto the other team doesn’t really feel like breaking that promise. Because at least it’s not another woman. So technically it’s kosher. We’re all good. I’m not judging you. I’m actually really happy that you’re here.”

“Justin, I’m seriously not gay.”

“Penny told me everything.” He reached out across the table and grabbed my hand. “She said she was out to dinner the other night with James, and she saw you kissing a man.”

“I never kissed a…” my voice trailed off. Fucking Tanner. I pulled my hand away from Justin. “This is a big misunderstanding. That wasn’t a kiss. It was just a celebratory peck between two male friends.”

“Yeah…that’s not a thing,” Justin said.

“He’s foreign.”

“Oh. Well then.” Justin shrugged. “Maybe it’s a thing. But the question is…did you like it?”

“No.”

“You seem awfully defensive. And a tad too sassy for a straight man if you ask me.”

“Justin, I’m not gay.”

“Someone maybe needs to spend a little more time in the closet,” he whispered.

“I’m not gay!” I yelled. Oh fuck. People were staring at us. “Not that anything is wrong with that,” I said. “I love gay people.” Shit, this was coming out so wrong.

“I am so sorry,” James said.

I looked up. Where the hell had he come from? He seemed out of breath like he’d just run here from his apartment. “James, what are you doing here?”

“I came as soon as Penny told me what she’d done. I’m so sorry, man. I had no idea what she was planning. Hey, Justin. Nice to see you again.” He put out his hand for Justin.

“Oh, the pleasure is all mine,” Justin said. “Are you joining us too? This is seriously my lucky night.”

“Um. No. I’m just here because…”

“Stop,” Penny said. She was just as winded as James. “You run so freaking fast, James.” She put her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. “Don’t ruin this for Matt. He needs space to find himself.”

“What the hell is going on?” I asked.

“We support you, Matt,” Penny said. “No matter who you love. And I know you love men. And Justin’s one of the greatest guys I know…”

“I’m not gay.”

“James.” She turned to him. “Don’t stifle him.”

“I’m not stifling him, baby. Matt isn’t gay.”

“Of course he is,” she said and turned to me. “I’ve finally put the pieces together. It makes total sense. You passed on so many great options on the dating app. And then someone from your past literally falls into your lap and you pass on her too. I’ve rarely seen you with the same girl more than once. And everyone I’ve ever met that’s slept with you says you’re an emotional brick wall. That’s a quote straight from Jen.”

“Oh God,” James said. “Please don’t bring up my sister banging Matt.”

“It’s important,” Penny said. “You’re an emotional brick wall during sex because…you know…you wish you were having sex with men instead.”

“What the fuck?” I said.

“And James and I saw you kissing Tanner at that romantic restaurant. I’m so sorry he doesn’t want to be more than friends. My heart hurts for you. And I know he cares for you of