Comfortable. Natural.
I took a sip and nodded. "Alright then. I’ll pick up the almond milk."
"Deal."
I guess this is starting to work. No awkward silences. At least I don’t feel like I have to tiptoe around, trying to prove I respect his privacy, or that I’m grateful to be here. I haven’t forgotten it’s temporary. But we’re finally comfortable enough to joke about thyme and almond milk.
It was nearly noon when I returned to the apartment, arms full. Almond milk. Another pack of that ridiculously good coffee he brewed. And a new sponge for the kitchen. His had seen better days.
The apartment was quiet. I paused just inside the door, letting my eyes adjust. The cool air hit my skin, he must’ve cracked a window again. No sound. No clink of dishes. No distant music. Liam must be out.
I dropped the sponge on the counter, pulled the almond milk from the bag, and then held up the coffee. Now, where did he keep—
"Pantry. Second shelf. Left."
I jumped so hard I nearly dropped the bag.
"Liam," I gasped, hand to my chest. "You scared me."
He laughed, not even trying to hide it. "Sorry. Didn’t mean to sneak up."
I reached out instinctively and grabbed his upper arm for balance. His breath hitched. Just slightly.
I bent over a little, catching my breath, and then started laughing. "I seriously thought I was alone."
He took the coffee from my hands. "I’ll put it away while you recover.”
I watched him as he moved, broad shoulders, long lines, his t-shirt stretching as he reached into the pantry. His track pants sat low on his hips. He looked effortless.
He turned back around and studied my face.
"Well," he said, amused. "Color’s back in your cheeks."
Then, with a teasing edge, "So does this mean you want me to make you coffee every day?"
My brain short-circuited.
Wait, what?
No. I just wanted to be nice. This wasn’t… that.
I opened my mouth. "No, well, I mean yes. The coffee’s great. And your machine’s sort of intimidating. I’m always afraid I’ll mess up the settings and you’ll walk in and see me mid-disaster."
His mouth started to curve.
"And now you’re making it for two, so I thought maybe I could… it just seemed fair…"
Both his hands came up in surrender. "Claire. I was joking."
I narrowed my eyes. "Jerk."
He grinned. I couldn’t help but smile back.
Then his face shifted.
"Claire."
I looked up.
