Free Love Lessons by Heidi Cullinan

didn’t tell you so you could fix it. I just didn’t want you to hear about it on Facebook or something. I’ll take her to lunch next weekend, if you want. Maybe she can come with us to shop for table decorations.”
    “Oh Christ, that’s above and beyond the call.”
    Cara shrugged. “I think it might be a benefit, because she and Mom would argue, and Greg and I could sneak off.” She glanced at her phone and frowned. “How the hell long does it take to park a car? Is this parent weekend or something?”
    “They’re doing construction on Fourteenth. Started middle of August. Whole road is torn up from campus to the river.”
    “Oh good, because I’d hate for them to have planned that in the summer when no one would need to park a fucking car. Jesus. I don’t miss this place.” She leaned on his shoulder. “I miss you, though.”
    He smiled and leaned back, resting his head on hers. “I miss you too. Every day.”
    “Are you really okay with your bumpkin-boy roomie? You aren’t just putting a false face on for me?”
    “Kelly? He’s fantastic. Naive and backward at times, but he’s got a good heart. Biggest complaint is all the damn sheet washing.”
    Cara lifted her head and her eyebrows.
    “Dust mites, you dirty mind.” He pointed to the air filter. “Kelly has like a million allergies. We have to wash every piece of fabric in the room every week in hot water. We clean a lot too, but that’s not so bad. But hauling ass with all our bedding down to Porterhouse laundry every Thursday? Pain in my ass.”
    “You said he’s gay, though, right?” Her eyebrows stayed lifted.
    “Yes. But he’s Lutheran and saving himself for marriage. Or at least True Wuve.”
    “Lutherans save themselves for marriage?”
    “I don’t think as a general rule, no, but who can say for sure?”
    Cara smiled. “I think it’s cute.”
    “You would.”
    “Well, it’s not like I practiced the theory. But that’s cool, that he wants that.”
    “It’s demented.”
    She punched him in the arm. “True Wuve happens, whether you like it or not.”
    “I’m not saying it doesn’t. But it’s rare as a dodo, and then to put First Time on top of it? Crazy.”
    “You’re just mad because you want to blow him.”
    “Hell yes I want to blow him, and vice versa. I’m telling you, wait until you see that mouth. And those eyes. And that ass. He is grade-A talent.”
    “Talent.” She leaned against his shoulder again. “I miss you, Wally.”
    He didn’t say anything, simply kissed her hair and punched her lightly on the arm.
     
     
    Kelly was at the freshman mixer, trying to ditch the group of giggling girls he’d become surrounded by and move over to the cute redhead by the tray of cookies when his cellphone started playing “Candle on the Water”, which meant Walter had assigned his texts that ringtone again.
    Ditch the coffee klatch and come to Opie’s. You can meet Cara and her Prince Charming and then tell me you told me so about true love being real and all that crap. I have your pitcher of root beer and dairy-free pizza ordered already.
    Kelly smiled at his phone and put it away.
    “Who was that?” one of the girls asked. “Your girlfriend?”
    “Roommate.” He tracked the redhead as he went for punch. Should he go over and introduce himself? The very idea made him sweat.
    The girl beside Kelly leaned into him. “Tell him to come here and join our party.”
    Her hand brushed his arm, and Kelly jolted before moving away. He frowned, confused—they wanted him to invite the redhead over? Then he realized they meant Walter. “He’s a junior.”
    “ Ooh, ” another one of the girls said and leaned on Kelly’s other side.
    God, Kelly wished Walter had showed up personally to collect him. Of course, then Walter would watch Kelly being an idiot, not asking talent out. He cast one last longing look at the redhead, admitting he wasn’t going to go introduce himself.
    A third girl, the only one who hadn’t