That train of thought was leading to an awkward reaction, so Anthony made himself focus on their surroundings as they entered the greenhouse. Lush green foliage filled every inch that wasn’t dedicated to the path or the small winding creek. As golden beams of sunlight warmed his face, he could practically feel his skin greedily soaking up the rich moisture in the air. Anthony looked over at his boyfriend and realized that they were both smiling.
“This is really nice!” he said. “What a great idea!”
“I’m glad you like it,” Cameron replied. “I wasn’t sure if you would.”
How could he not? Although when he focused on the people instead of the plants, he was less enchanted. Numerous couples were strolling hand in hand, or stopping next to flowering plants to hug and kiss one another. Usually while other couples hovered nearby wanting to do the same. Which was dumb, because romance was supposed to be spontaneous, not something you lined up for. Whoever ran the botanic garden had a shrewd mind for business though. They had set up tables near the entrance that were covered with construction paper and art supplies, so kids could make Valentine’s Day cards. A couple of employees babysat them, leaving the parents free to sneak in a romantic moment or two.
“Each greenhouse has a different climate,” Cameron said as they began to explore.
“Have you seen them all yet?”
“Nope. I only checked this one briefly and was already blown away. Oh look! A cute little path.”
Small flat stones led around tall palms and thick ferns, diverging from the main trail. Cameron was wearing bedroom eyes as he took Anthony’s hand to lead him down the path. At the end of it, they found a stone bench on a small tile patio. A straight couple was sitting there while snuggling, so they quickly turned around to give them their privacy. Anthony held his tongue. This would have been the perfect place for a date on any other day, but as they continued to explore, the same thing kept happening. Anywhere private enough for a smooch was already occupied.
“Let’s try somewhere else,” Cameron said, perhaps having reached the same conclusion.
They walked across the grounds to another greenhouse, which was bursting with flowers and was even more crowded because of it. They stuck around long enough to check out some of the species on display, since many were like nothing they’d ever seen. The next greenhouse they tried was a tropical environment, birds flying from tree to tree while singing happily. Their joy was contagious as Anthony and Cameron stopped to watch a rainbow of fish swim through a pond.
Anthony was enjoying himself, although he could tell that his boyfriend was becoming frustrated by the lack of privacy. They were out to their friends and family but still had to be cautious in public. People weren’t used to seeing two guys touch each other. Not in a way as gentle as holding hands, so they chose their moments carefully.
Cameron seemed relieved when they went to a greenhouse dedicated to a desert climate. Very few people lingered there. Which was their loss, because the giant cacti and chunky-leaved succulents were excitingly alien when compared to the rolling plains of Kansas.
“This is so cool,” Anthony breathed. “I’ve never been to a real desert before. Have you?”
Cameron nodded. “My family took a trip to New Mexico when I was little. There weren’t any sand dunes. It wasn’t that kind of desert. But I remember beige dirt and empty sky for as far as you could see.”
“Sounds amazing.” Anthony sat on a rustic wooden bench so he could take it all in.
Cameron settled down next to him and squirmed restlessly before he dug into the pocket of his aviator jacket. “Are you hungry?” he asked when pulling out a plastic baggie. “We should eat these before they melt.”
Anthony looked down and saw that the baggie was filled with chocolate bonbons. The kind normally found in a fancy box of chocolates, which was on the list of things he’d told his boyfriend he didn’t want for Valentine’s Day, along with flowers and a card.
“It doesn’t have to mean anything,” Cameron said sheepishly. “It’s just a snack.”
Anthony stared into his concerned blue eyes and felt like a royal idiot. He’d only been focusing on his disdain for the holiday, while Cameron obviously cared about Valentine’s Day. Enough to find a way of giving Anthony flowers and chocolates without appearing to do so. He could imagine him emptying out a heart-shaped box in panic, just to avoid offending him. God he was sweet! And so was his offering. “Yum!” Anthony said with maximum enthusiasm as he chewed a bonbon. “These are really good. Thanks!”
Cameron seemed relieved. “You’re very welcome.”
“The whole day has been great,” Anthony said. “You’re better at this whole Valentine’s thing than me.”
“I always thought it was kind of nice.” Cameron said with a shy smile. “An entire day dedicated to love.” He forced the happiness off his face. “I get where you’re coming from though. The commercialization and—”
“Forget about all that,” Anthony interrupted, leaning over to give him a chocolatey kiss. “I’ll be right back, okay? I have to do something.” He grabbed another bonbon, popped it in his mouth, and stood.
Anthony hightailed it back to the first greenhouse they had visited and made a beeline for the table where kids were making a mess with the art supplies.
“Scoot over,” Anthony said as he squeezed between a chubby little girl and a grimy little boy.
“Hey, this table is for kids only!” the boy complained.
“I’m the same age as you,” Anthony said as he grabbed a pad of construction paper.
“Nuh-uh! You’re too big!”
“I take my Flintstones vitamins every day,” Anthony told him. “I was your size last week.”
“Really?” the boy asked, sounding intrigued.
“Yup!” Anthony assured him. He chose green paper and began cutting out leaf shapes. He managed to work in silence for a full minute before the little girl interrupted him.
“What happened to your hair?” she asked.
“I drank too much strawberry lemonade,” Anthony said. His hair was solid pink at the moment, which had nothing to do with the holiday. He simply liked how subversive it was. “I’m actually a redhead, so I’ll have to drink a bunch of orange juice to turn it back again.”
“If that was true,” the little girl said. “I’d never stop drinking grape juice.”
“That would turn your hair purple,” Anthony clarified.
“I know!”
He stopped working long enough to glance over at her. “You’re cool.”
“Thanks!” she said. “What are you making?”
“A card,” Anthony said. He folded a piece of beige paper in half, thought of a good line to write on the front, and then began gluing cut-out leaves around the words as decoration. The inside would be trickier, but he had an idea.
“Why are you drawing all those snakes?” the little boy asked.
“They’re not snakes. They’re branches.”
“How come they’re so droopy?”
“It’s a willow tree.”
The little boy furrowed his brow. “They look like snakes.”