“Didn’t you just eat?”
“Yeah, but I can’t let you eat alone.” Further proof he’s genuinely a good guy. I’d honestly be a moron to let this slip through my fingers.
“Any luck finding an apartment?” We’re sitting on the sofa with the TV going in the background, cartons from the local Chinese restaurant on the coffee table in front of us.
“I honestly haven’t looked around much,” Xander says as he takes a bite of his food. “Everything has been busy at the shop, and I want to make sure I have enough money saved up,” another bite. “When I leave home, I don’t want to go back. It needs to be for good.”
“That’s understandable,” I take a sip of my wine, “I can help if you want me to. There are a few decent complexes around here. Or, I think Carlos may be looking to rent his out soon. With things going well between Eric and Joan, I’m sure they’ll be looking for something bigger to accommodate their family.”
“Where is that?” I forget he doesn’t know everyone like I do. Or, well, maybe he does…just not in the same age range.
“It’s actually not far from here. The neighborhood is nice, and it’s about the same distance drive to the shop as it is from here.” He should know that drive by heart. He’s stayed over more than I’ve ever let anyone before. “It’s a cute little house.”
“I don’t know if I’m ready for that kind of responsibility. Apartments are a safe transition for me. Not much different than living in dorms.”
“Plus, the added benefit of not having others share a room full of showers.”
The shock on his face is adorable. “Um, I didn’t have to do that. I mean, I did, but it wasn’t like what they show in those old movies.”
Wow. Even ten years difference is a world apart between us, and I never felt that way until those words left his mouth. “Lucky you.” I raise my glass in a toast to him.
“That’s not what I mean, Kate.”
“I know.” Setting my glass on the table, I sigh. “It’s jarring sometimes thinking about all the differences between us.”
“Why don’t you think about the things we have in common?”
“Which would be?”
He sets his food on the table and leans back. “The ability to make fun of infomercials.”
“I think most people do that.”
“Okay, how about the fact we both like cheesy sci-fi movies?”
“A new development for me. I never would have given them a chance if it wasn’t for you.”
“We both like to go out for a drink after a long day.” He’s reaching for things now.
“That’s true.”
“And we have the ability to talk without it feeling difficult. That’s something I’ve never had with anyone else.” He runs a hand through his dark brown hair. “Not even my friends in college sometimes. It’s honestly a little ridiculous how much of a loner I was before I started working at the flower shop.”
“You could have fooled me,” I snort and pick up my glass, “you fit in with our group like you’ve always been there.”
He blushes, before standing and gathering his food cartons. “It’s, uh, getting late. I should probably get home.”
I glance at my now charged phone. It’s after midnight. “How does time pass so quickly when we hang out?”
“I don’t know, but it definitely seems to fly by.” He heads to the kitchen and I hear the fridge door open. It’s sweet he’s putting his leftovers in there for me. I wait for him to return to the living room before I say anything else.
“You could stay if you want.” If he does, he might as well start leaving a change of clothes and toothbrush over here. Even though he’s only stayed over a few times, I sleep better when he’s next to me.
“As much as I’d love to, I better go home.”
“Oh, okay.” I try to keep the disappointment out of my voice, but he can clearly see it on my face.
“How about I pick you up for work in the morning?”
