Grant shrugs. “Because it doesn’t really exist.”
“What?” I look at Grant.
Huxley reaches over and cuffs Grant on the shoulder. “C’mon, man! You aren’t supposed to shock him like that.”
“Has to hear it sometime,” Grant says. “Look, Griff. The fact that people think love actually exists is what’s wrong with the world. They’re living their lives on the wrong premise. That’s why they have issues.” When I give him a flat stare, Grant apparently takes it to mean that I’m confused. “Imagine trying to solve an algebraic equation. Suppose you have the wrong value for the X variable. No matter what you do, you’re not going to find the right answer for Y because your X is wrong. It’s the same thing.”
Huxley nods throughout the entire explanation. “Exactly.”
I stare at Huxley. “But you say you love love.”
“Of course! I adore love.” Huxley spreads his hands. “Without love, how am I going to sell chocolates, dinners, vacations, jewelry and other junk? People will do anything for love. So yeah, for my profession’s sake, I don’t want anyone to realize that love is a figment of their imagination.”
Are they here to tell me this shitty feeling in my gut is nothing but my imagination? I look at Nicholas. “Do you agree with that?”
He shrugs. “I’m okay with people believing in love if it makes them happy. Doesn’t hurt anybody.”
This is just…“So why did you tell Emmett you were happy for him? Why are we even going to his damn wedding?”
“Because he is happy,” Grant says, like I’m stupid. “I’m not going to be the bad guy and destroy his illusion. Plus, people always shoot the messenger.”
“Exactly.” Huxley nods sagely. “Not only am I not going to tell him, I’m not even going to be around him when he figures it out. I don’t want to become collateral damage when he explodes.”
“Agreed,” Nicholas says. “When they can’t yell at the messenger, they yell at the people closest to them.”
“You guys are no help,” I say.
Grant slaps my shoulder. “No, it’s just that you won’t accept the help.”
Huxley smiles. “Consider your life a model economists enjoy tinkering with. Just picture deleting love from the model and redoing it. You’ll have a clearer and more productive life, and you won’t be disappointed or hurt by unreasonable expectations that can never be met.”