A Con So Convincing

By Ada Stone

Before their sudden divorce, Seth was planning to take their partner, Harry, with them to their ten-year college reunion. Now, with no date to accompany them, Seth worries that they will look pathetic when they again come face to face with their ex, and arch enemy, Megan. When Seth tells friend Julien of their worries, she offers to accompany them as a pretend romantic partner. Seth refuses at first, but later changes their mind to accept.

Megan immediately notices that Seth and Julien are not a real couple, and sets out to convince Seth to sleep with her. In response, Seth and Julien endeavor to put on a more convincing romantic act. In the midst of the charade, Seth and Julien find themselves attracted to each other, but they each hold back.

Julien wants to respect that Seth is fresh out of a divorce, whereas Seth fears Julien would never want a serious relationship. When their attractions come to the surface, they realize that their bond is worth confronting their concerns.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Shorts
• Release date: May 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094418414

Ada Stone

Ada Stone is a queer and trans book-obsessed human from the Pacific Northwest, where they live now. They love spending quiet time among trees and mountains, listening to their favorite albums on repeat, and receiving “your holds are ready for pickup” alerts from the library.

Book preview

Chapter One

When’s even the last time you were in SoCal? Julien asked just before biting into a mozzarella stick.

You know that’s just fried cheese with a few bread crumbs sprinkled around it, right? Seth asserted with a grimace.

Mm, I do know, Julien said while still chewing. And it’s delicious. Here, try one. She shoved the plate across the table toward Seth, then nudged the little bowl of tomato dipping sauce as well.

No thanks. Seth waved their hand in rejection. They would never admit it to Julien, but with how empty their stomach was, and the proximity of the plate to their nose, the cheese sticks were starting to smell kind of good. Instead, they followed up with further admonishment. It’s bad enough that you dragged me into this restaurant in the first place.

Psh, you’re such a snob sometimes, Julien replied. What’s so bad about getting two huge plates of food and an appetizer for twenty bucks?

Seth didn’t know where to begin with their answer, so they drew the conversation back to Julien’s original question. SoCal… right. I guess I went down to visit a friend about four years ago now. But I don’t think I’ve been back since. It’s been a while. How about you?

I haven’t been since graduation, actually, Julien replied.

Really?

It’s true!

Seth sipped their water. Well, why not? For any reason in particular?

I dunno. I never liked the place that much while I was there. Besides all that was going wrong for me then, the whole vibe of the LA climate is weird to me. The sun, it’s always out, you know? Like the weather’s trying to force everyone to be happy all the time. Julien shrugged. Her body language seemed to suggest she was forcing her casual attitude, but Seth decided to let it slide. They didn’t want to give Julien any extra reason to pry into their own feelings about the reunion.

Ah, well, I can see why you wanted to move to Seattle then, Seth said. Plenty of permission to feel sad.

Well, yes. Sad, happy, frustrated, angsty, jealous, excited. The list goes on. I have range, Julien asserted, pointing a greasy mozzarella stick toward Seth’s face just before biting into it. Seth watched a puff of steam rise from where Julien’s teeth had broken through the layer of breading.

So then… why are you bringing up the reunion? Seth asked.

Because it’s finally time for me to go back, Julien said. And I already know you won’t be able to resist.

What makes you say that? Seth asked.

Which part?

Uh, both I guess.

I’m surprised you can’t guess. It’s a big party, and you know I’m not one to turn down an invitation to one of those, Julien smiled. Free booze, night after night of dancing, the chance for infinite gossip. She rubbed her hands together and Seth nodded in affirmation. And, on your end… I’m almost sure Megan’s going to be there. I mean, she’s still living in San Diego as far as I know. She wouldn’t want to miss out on a chance to see you. And, well, you’ll probably kill me for saying this, but I’m betting that deep down you wanna see her too!

Oh, come on. Seth looked away in disgust, though Julien’s words were spot-on. When the ninth anniversary of their graduation had rolled around, Seth had already begun to look forward to showing up to the big reunion with their handsome husband, Sen, on their arm. How being part of such an attractive couple would spur their nemesis into a jealous rage.

You’re saying you really don’t want to go? Julien asked.

I’m saying I need some time to think about it, Seth lied. You’re just springing this idea on me and expecting an answer right away? I think you should know me better than that.

Their entrees arrived, set down on the table by a teenager who didn’t look old enough to be out of middle school. Anything else I can get you? she asked in her best professional voice.

Seth smiled and shook their head. No thanks, said Julien. The girl turned to walk away. Wait, how old are you? Julien asked. Seth grit their teeth; Julien rarely filtered her speech, saying just what she was thinking.

Just turned eighteen, the girl said. But people are always asking that, thinking I’m twelve or something. I get it, I have a baby face, she smiled, though Seth sensed that she just wanted to roll her eyes and walk away.

Oh, wow. Well, thanks for the food, Julien replied, failing to fully recover her manners. The girl nodded and finally sensed that she was allowed to leave.

Julien, Seth hissed, You can’t just ask that.

But I just did, she asserted. I was curious. And I got my answer!

It was rude. I could tell she was uncomfortable, Seth replied.

Julien shrugged, reached for her fork and knife, and started cutting into her chicken tenders. Leave it to Julien to order from the kids’ menu and then eat the meal like it was from a five-star restaurant. Whoops, she said.

Seth let the conversation drop and turned their attention to their pork tacos. The food wasn’t bad, maybe a bit bland, but they chose to hold back their complaints. Their friend was clearly enjoying herself—her full attention focused on slicing through that breaded white meat—and, besides, next time it would be their turn to choose the restaurant.

Section Break

After wrapping up their early dinner with Julien, Seth pulled their friend into a hug and, instead of returning home, decided to finish up some grading back at their office. It was only a short bus ride away, and on the way home anyway. They let themself into the sociology building, hearing only the faint voice of their colleague lecturing for their graduate seminar on the surge of West Coast American cities in the 19th century. Seth’s academic concentration had always been in Chicago, sometimes New York. Maybe a bit predictable, but scholars obsessed over those places for a reason; they really were the most interesting.

Though sometimes Seth felt a bit guilty for not proclaiming any deep interest in studying their local community, they really did like Seattle. It was the setting they’d chosen for their personal life; whatever happened to work-life balance? Seth imagined their colleagues out on a date, or taking their kids out to play with their friends, then becoming distracted by a paper they’d just read about the impact of the Denny Regrade or the first colonization of Alki Point. Meanwhile, Seth could enjoy the city in the here and now, and they were glad for that.

In their office, Seth sat down and started grading the midterm essays they’d assigned on the public housing system in Chicago. Most were formulaic and boring, but they were glad to see almost every student got a fair amount of information across. They left the office that evening more than satisfied with their teaching capabilities and walked back across campus to catch the bus home. It was a lovely spring evening without even the threat of rain, and Seth’s jacket was plenty warm to protect them from the soft breeze.

The bus dropped Seth just a block from their apartment, and they climbed the stairs to their building, eager to see their partner, Sen. Though they’d already eaten at the restaurant with Julien, their stomach had started to gurgle just thinking of what Sen might be cooking up. As the executive chef at a Japanese restaurant in Capitol Hill, he was known to show off his flair for food at home as well. Unlike Seth, he didn’t mind mixing work with his off hours. And for that, Seth was grateful.

When Seth unlocked the door, however, they found no tantalizing smells floating from the kitchen. They only noticed the glow of the TV coming from the living room down the hall, the muffled noise of some action movie turned down to a low volume, just how Sen always liked to watch. I’m home! Seth called into the space, just in case their spouse hadn’t heard them at the door. The TV switched off.

Oh, hey babe. Sen appeared in the hall, wearing a pair of black sweatpants and a red t-shirt. Did you eat yet? I need to whip something up, at least for myself, he said, passing in front of Seth and stepping into the kitchen without planting his usual kiss on their cheek.

Yeah, I had an early meal with Julien, Seth said, hanging their work bag on its hook alongside their jacket. They followed Sen into the kitchen, admiring his curvy backside bent over as they scoured the fridge.

Oh good, Sen murmured, ’cause it looks like we don’t have much to go off of in here. It wasn’t like Sen to let the fridge get so low on food. Seth again sensed something was off. They watched silently as Sen sliced tomatoes and gruyere and sourdough, crumbled a chunk of blue cheese, then dropped a hunk of butter atop a hot skillet. How was work? Sen asked a few minutes later, his voice now sounding tight and a bit higher in pitch than usual.

Had a department meeting in the morning, finished up grading my midterms later, Seth reported. I was actually pretty proud of how well my students did, they said, remembering the excitement they’d felt in their office. It’s my third time teaching this course, and I think I might finally be getting the hang of it.

That’s great! Sen said, his back to Seth as he placed the bread on the skillet. You sure you don’t want me to make you one of these? he asked, as if he had offered in the first place.

Oh, that would be good, thanks, Seth said. I’m sure I’ll be hungry later if I don’t top off now.

Coming right up, Sen answered, moving back to the cutting board to slice more ingredients.

A few minutes later, Seth and Sen were sitting across from each other at their small dining table, which occupied the space in the corner of the kitchen. Seth crunched into the sandwich, pulled the strings of cheese into their mouth as neatly as possible; which was to say, not very. After they’d devoured the first triangle of the sandwich, Seth glanced up at Sen. So, what did you get up to today? they asked, hoping this might give them an answer to why Sen was acting weird.

Sen pushed his plate farther away from him, about three quarters of his sandwich still waiting to be eaten. He looked just past Seth’s right ear, gaze landing on the blank wall behind them. Something in his face shifted, like the dropping of a mask. He remained like that