E: I wouldn’t offer if I couldn’t handle it. Let’s meet on Thursday and you show me what you have.
Her punctuation was back with its usual precision. Guess he’d sobered her right up.
Where to meet? They’d only been on half of an official date. Inviting her here would be creepy. And suggesting her place would be even creepier.
R: Himmel Library as soon as you’re off work? They’re open to 7 on Thursdays.
E: Perfect. I’ll see you then. OMG is it midnight already?
R: Afraid of turning into a pumpkin?
E: You’re lucky I still have thumbs. Goodnight Ryan
Ryan chuckled. He had never dated anyone with Elissa’s sense of humor before.
R: Goodnight Elissa
He resisted the temptation to add any sort of cute emoji, as much as he wanted to. Iz would tease him horribly the next time they got into his messages and saw smileys or, god forbid, heart eyes. Jesus.
It was late, and if he had any hope of writing tomorrow, he should go to bed. He polished off his drink and turned in.
But Sunday was only a little better for productivity than Saturday had been, and two more drafts landed in the trash before the handle on the front door jangled around four. Iz and Mateo walked in carrying grocery bags.
“Can we get a hand, dude?” Iz asked.
Ryan gave up his fruitless attempt at writing for the weekend and helped unload the groceries. Once everything was put away, Iz and Teo started on Sunday dinner. Soon, rich scents wafted through the air, and Ryan’s appetite awakened as he cleared his mess so they could eat at the table.
“That smells fucking amazing,” he said.
Teo stood in front of the stove, stirring something in the Dutch oven while Iz chopped lettuce and vegetables for a salad.
“Jambalaya, like my grandma used to make,” Teo said. “Can you pull out some beer?”
Ryan hurried to the small fridge stocked with beer they kept in the living room, a leftover from his dorm days with Iz. He pulled out three Barrio Rojos and grabbed the forks and napkins his friend had placed on the counter. Ryan made quick work on setting the table, and soon the three of them sat down for dinner, the fragrant scent of onions, peppers, and spices making him drool.
Mateo brought over the salad and a plate for Ryan, with Iz right behind carrying two more plates. The flavors burst on his tongue, the spiciness a counterpoint to the rich flavors of the rice and sausage.
“Kudos to your grandma, Teo,” he said around a mouthful.
A pained looked crossed Teo’s face, which he attempted to cover with a smile an instant later.
“I’ll pass them along the next time I talk to her.”
The smile was more a grimace, and it never reached his eyes. Ryan didn’t press the issue. He could ask Iz later.
“So, has the infamous script finally triumphed over the intrepid writer?” Iz changed the subject.
Ryan purposely took another bite in order to avoid answering the question for a minute.
“Want to join me in freeing its remains from this mortal coil?” he shot back. “I’ve got charcoal and lighter fluid.”
Iz smiled at him. “Can’t be that bad, sweetie.”
“Oh, it’s not bad, Iz. It’s fucking awful.”
Mateo choked on his beer and was subjected to the ministrations of both Iz and Ryan. After a moment, he held up his hands in surrender.
“Enough. I’m not dying today.”
