“That would be great.”
He bends down and gives me a quick peck on the lips. I guess he knows if he lingers he won’t be leaving for the night. “Goodnight, Kate. And don’t make any plans this weekend. I’m cooking you dinner.”
This I have to see; I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone cook dinner for me.
Chapter Sixteen
Xander
Scrolling through my phone while waiting to load my next delivery probably isn’t a good use of time, but I do want to get my own place. I’d be lying if I said the thought didn’t scare me as much as it excites me.
Now I only need for these apartments to be within my price range. Most of them are higher than my parents’ house payment. I may have peeked at a bill out of curiosity. Mostly to see if I could honestly afford to rent the house Carlos has if it goes up for rent.
“I thought you weren’t seriously looking?” Kate leans over my shoulder.
There’s no fear in her being close to me, or even leaning her head on me. Not now that everything is out in the open. Well, at least as far as our coworkers are concerned. We still haven’t gone on an actual date. At least not one where we are in the public eye. That is something I hope to change very soon. We just have to figure out a time that works for both of us. Which is hard because it’s getting into peak wedding season.
“I wasn’t. Not really.” I sigh and close the browser on my phone. “It’s just I feel like I’ll wear out my welcome always going to your place. It would be nice to invite you to mine.”
Something I can’t do as long as I live with my parents. Unless she wants to meet them. After our breakthrough, I don’t want to suggest it, not yet.
“You can come over anytime, but I get it.” She glances at the whiteboard at the far corner of the room. “About dinner this weekend…are you okay about doing it Sunday night?”
“Sure. Did something come up?”
“Caroline’s son has some school thing and she asked me to fill in at a wedding for her. It shouldn’t take too long, but I never know if something will go wrong.” She plays with the end of her braided hair, waiting for my response. I’ve noticed that’s something she does when she’s unsure about something. It’s cute.
“It’s all good.” I pause for a second as an idea hits me. “If you need help, I’m available. We don’t have many deliveries queued up for Saturday as of right now.”
“Are you sure?” I can’t read her expression, and I’m having doubts about the offer. “You already do so much extra stuff around here. I don’t want to monopolize your time off.”
“Really. You’d be doing me a favor.”
“How so?” She cocks her head to the side, waiting for my answer.
“It’s my parents’ anniversary, and the last place I want to be is home whenever they get back from whatever they have planned.” My whole body shivers in revulsion.
Kate laughs so loudly, everyone looks in our direction. I don’t think they’ve ever seen her this carefree with someone judging by their expressions. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me feel good about myself. I’m the one capable of bringing the reaction out of her.
“Well, I’d be evil if I didn’t save you from parental groping.”
“Oh, God,” I fake gag, “don’t ever say those two words together again.”
“I second that,” Samantha calls from the work table, “it’s disgusting and disturbing. Why would you even speak it into existence?”
“Please,” Kate scoffs, “Your parents, and Emily’s, were the same way.”
“Exactly.” A quick glance around Kate, and I can see Emily shake her head. “We’ve been scarred for life. I’m sure you feel our pain, Xander.”
“I’m still living the nightmare, but yeah, I know exactly how you feel.” It’s not fun, even though I appreciate how much love they still have for each other.
“Okay, fine,” Kate throws her hands in the air, “I’ll stop making mushy parent jokes.”
She smiles, but I can see how much she wanted that sort of upbringing in her eyes. There’s a sadness just behind the sparkle and it affects everything she does.
“Xander,” Kai yells from the hallway, “you’ve got a delivery.”
I glance at my phone and groan. I’m almost afraid to ask. “Where is it?”
