Dandelions

Evan Buckley

Buck leaned back, soaking in the sun's warmth on his face, eyes shut tight as a smile danced across his lips. The breeze tousled his hair, and he couldn't help but let out a delighted hum, reveling in the simple pleasure of the moment.

His recent escapade to Italy had been just what the doctor ordered after a rough patch. Italy was a haven where he could eat his fill of pizza, indulge in gelato until he was practically floating, and, oh, the men. Italian men had a way about them that was downright intoxicating. Buck couldn't help but grin at the memory of their charming antics, their flirty whispers of tesoro still echoing in his mind.

A shiver ran down his spine at the recollection, almost drawing a moan from him. Since he'd moved to LA, his romantic life had been rather lackluster. As much as he enjoyed the company of women, nothing quite compared to the allure of a tall, dark, and devilishly handsome Italian man.

Sue him, he has a type!

Talking about out tall, dark, handsome devils, Buck chuckled as he checked his ringing cell. "Hi, Eddie! How's LA?"

"Crowded, damp, still as crazy as the day you left," Eddie joked, making Buck chuckle. "How's Rome?"

"Oh, I'm in Venice right now," Buck informed him. "Rome was beautiful though! Saw the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, the Coliseum, and the many museums open to the public!"

"Since when you're interested in museums?" Eddie barked a laugh, which point, Buck has always preferred physical activities and zoos or aquariums.

"Since there's a Giovanni showing them to me," Buck replied, wiggling his eyebrows salaciously.

"Oh, it's Giovanni now? Last week it was Arthur," Eddie teased him, and Buck loved the fact that he could joke and laugh about his bisexuality with his straight best friend.

"Well, Arthur was on a conference in Rome and had to return to London," Buck's smirk grew as he continued. "Though, he did give me his contact information in case I happen to be in London."

"Are you planning to?" Eddie inquired, amused.

Once more Buck laughed move, "Maybe I'll take a detour on my way back. You know I love a good accent on my men."

"Right," Eddie chuckled. "I'm you're enjoying yourself. God knows you've earned a vacation. Though, I wonder, why the sudden interest in men?"

"It's not sudden," Buck sighed, leaning back on his chair, and smiling waitress as at the she placed an espresso on his table at the outside patio of the cafe. "It's simply been a coincidence that I've only dated girls since I've moved to LA. Even Buck 1.0 had his equal share of the female and male population of Los Angeles." Buck huffed as he took a sip from his coffee and moaned, there was nothing like recently brewed Italian coffee. "But lately dating has been hard. Abby, Ali, Valerie, Taylor, and now Natalia. It's like I'm cursed! So, I decided to take a respite from women and try my luck with men."

"Dios, this Natalia chick must have been una loca," Eddie hissed emphatically. "Not only did she make you run away to Italy, but made you swear off women!"

Buck threw his head back and laughed, tension easing off his body in a way only Eddie. was capable of doing. "Natalia was not that bad."

Eddie snorted in disbelief, "Are you kidding me, Buck? She's a Death Doula!"

"Ok, ok! So, maybe she was a bit eccentric, but..." Buck chuckled as Eddie snorted and muttered "a bit?", before continuing. "But many people find her aid helpful... just not me!"

There was a moment of silence before Eddie spoke up, this time his tone was softer, gentler. "Evan, talk to me. One day you're talking about how much Natalia understands you, the next one you are buying a ticket to Italy! What happen in between?"