“You’re welcome, but it was no big deal.”
I’ve done the same thing for my mom countless times, though she prefers Snickers to Reese’s.
“Do you want to come back up? We could…watch a movie or something.”
Hell yes, I want to go back up and watch a movie. That’s not even a question, but…
“Are you sure you’re up for company?”
It’s probably stupid to give her an out because with my luck, she’ll take it, but I don’t want our time together to be an obligation or repayment for a simple kindness, and I sure as shit don’t want her to feel like she has to entertain me when she’s not feeling well.
“Yes.” Her delivery is clear and confident this time. “I took two Tylenol that are bound to kick in any minute. Besides, it looks like you ordered the entire Great Wall menu and I can’t possibly eat all this food.”
I shake my head, though she can’t see it. “Would it really be so bad to just admit you enjoy my company?”
She laughs, full and throaty. “I plead the fifth.”
It’s the same defense I used after our first pole class, so I’m not surprised when she disconnects.
Leave it to Piper to get the last word.
I chuckle and head for the elevator, pulse thrumming.
The door is open when I get upstairs, so I call out as I enter. “Piper?”
“Come on in. I’m unpacking the buffet.”
I’m greeted by the scent of pumpkin spice as I step inside and close the door behind me. The apartment is small, but neat, and the open concept keeps it from feeling claustrophobic, even for a guy my size. It’s furnished with the same stock pieces found in every apartment on campus, but Piper’s added little touches like throw blankets and wall art to make it her own, and an orange candle burns in the center of the coffee table.
“Honestly,” she says, gesturing to the takeout containers that line the peninsula dividing the kitchen and living room. “I can’t decide if I should be flattered or offended that you thought I could eat all this.”
“I didn’t know what you liked.”
The hint of a smile curves her lips. “So you ordered the whole damn menu?”
“It was that, or call Jenna.” I shrug. “I didn’t want to get her in any more trouble.”
“Fair enough. Jenna gets in plenty of trouble on her own.” She opens a cabinet and takes down two white plates. “Now please quit hovering in the doorway and come eat some of this food so it doesn’t go to waste.”
“Sure.” I cross the small space in a few strides. The kitchen seemed like a decent size, but once we’re both behind the counter, it’s tight. “What can I do to help?”
“Can you just grab us a couple of drinks from the fridge?” she asks, maneuvering around me to grab silverware. “I’m good with whatever you’re having.”
I grab two bottles of water and then load up a plate with General Tso’s, lo mein, a couple of wontons, and a pork egg roll. The food smells great and I’m starving since I didn’t have time to grab anything after the team meeting.
Piper carries her plate into the living room and I follow her lead.
She settles in on the couch, sitting cross-legged with her plate in her lap, and I take the spot next to her. Her knee brushes my thigh, but if she notices, it doesn’t seem to bother her.
"I still can’t believe you did all this," she says, using chopsticks to pluck a dumpling from her plate. “I honestly thought the P word scared you off.”
I snort. “You forget I was raised by two women. It’ll take a lot more than period talk to scare me.” I glance up, meeting her eyes. “It’s a natural part of life, after all.”
“Not all men share that view, but thank you. Sometimes I forget that under all this,” she says, waving a hand to encompass all six and a half feet of me, “you’re softer than a twist top cone.”
“Thanks, I think.”
She laughs and goddamn do I love the sound of it. “Oh, it’s definitely a compliment.”
