we're all fake happy

“Seconds away from combusting, actually.” 

She crossed her arms over her chest, huffing. “Maybe you’re so unused to people being into you that you don’t know what it looks like.”

“It hardly takes any effort one’s burning desire.” 

April scoffed, taking one wobbly step closer. “Yeah, right. Do I look like I’m full of burning desire to you, Podmore?”

“You could always make one up.” 

She tapped a finger against her chin. “And go to that kind of effort, for you? I don’t think so.”

“Fancy me. You don’t say that in Canada?”

She rolled her eyes. “Not where I’m from. But they probably do need a new word in the English language to describe how I feel about you, anyway.”

“No. I just want you to admit you fancy me.” 

“That I what you?”

“No, you definitely like me. You can’t convince me otherwise.”

April scoffed. “Do you want me to go back to being mean? Hey, whatever you’re into, Podmore...”

“I don’t think it has to be one or the other, but that doesn’t stop me from being curious.” 

“Don’t be. Just because I’m being nice to you doesn’t mean I like you.”

“Good interesting or bad?” 

“Does it have to be one or the other? Interesting interesting.”

Sturgis arched a brow, scanning her for a moment before accepting the olive branch. “Gin.” 

“Interesting choice,” April said, for once not meaning it as a dig.

“Fuck off.” 

April laughed, still bursting with glee. This general good feeling was what compelled her to say, “Come on, I’ll buy you a drink. What’s your poison?”

“Who knows. Probably. Eventually.” Sturgis shrugged. “I’m still thinking about South America.”

“Would recommend. I heard Jon H. saying he really wanted to go next year.”

“Mm, perhaps I should’ve packed something warmer than a jumper.”

“You planning on taking a trip there soon?”

“Thank you. I was.” Sturgis paused for a beat. “And so were you.” 

April laughed, too giddy to muffle the snort that accompanied the sound. “I think hell just froze over.”

“You know, I really didn’t think you to be delusional, but even I can be proven wrong.” He was joking, mostly. 

April rolled her eyes. “You were good. Congrats.”

“You should. I was incredible today.” 

He had been. “You were passable. Average. Fine, even.”

“Wait a minute,” Sturgis interjected with a dramatic flourish. “Is April Lavoie complimenting me? You should see a healer. You sound as if you caught something.” 

“Ha ha. I take it back, I’m not congratulating you on anything.”

April was so full of the giddy high of success, she could choke on it. The joy — and, all right, the two shots she’d already done — was so potent that her grin didn’t even waver when her gaze fell upon Sturgis. “Congratulations are in order to you too,” she said, sidling up to him.