Darren walked me to my car, and I grinned widely at him, unable to keep the note of smugness from my voice as I said, “I think they liked me.”
“Well, not as much as that waiter.” Darren’s hands flexed at his sides. “When’d you get so flirty?”
“Flirty?” It took me a moment to think back on our interaction, and my cheeks warmed. “I was just being friendly. You think he thought I was flirting?”
“‘I’ll let you tempt me next time’? Is that a thingnon-flirty people say to service workers?”
It was always weird when Darren got like this, but I couldn’t pretend it wasn’t sweet to see him jealous. Even if he was being ridiculous. There was still a shadow on his face, so I gently tempered my reply. “I was trying to be friendly and likeable for your friends ... I guess I must’ve overcorrected and the waiter got caught in the crossfire. I’m sorry.”
“Never mind. Of course everyone liked you.” Darren softened, running his hands down my arms and kissing my forehead. “That actually reminds me. The boss is doing a cocktail party at the end of the month for the partners’ anniversary. Today was a trial run, but you did good. Maybe if things keep up this way, I could bring you as my plus-one, what do you think?”
I flushed with excitement. Going to one of Darren’s big work parties would be huge—it would mean that he was officially introducing me as his boyfriend to the rest of his cohort. We would be indisputably out together, like he was showing me off—“That sounds great! You don’t have to worry, I’ll knock ’em dead.”
“I certainly hope so.” Darren smiled, then pursed his lips. I held my breath, wondering if he’d invite me back to his place. But instead, he checked his watch and sighed, leaning back to adjust his perfectly knotted tie. “I should probably get home. I still have work to get done on the Jameson case before Monday. It’s making me want to literallydie.”
I laughed but reluctantly agreed that we should both head home. “And I still haven’t met my weird roommate yet, so maybe I can catch him at home today.”
I stole one more kiss, savoring the tingle of Darren’s lips before sliding into my car and pulling away, waving to Darren in the rearview mirror until I turned the corner back onto the highway.
It was only late afternoon and not the middle of the night, when it seemed that the cryptid known as Armand did most of his cryptid-ing, but already my body was locked and ready for whatever nonsense he had planned for the apartment. More drawings on the mirror? More near-death experiences walking through the door?Where will it end?
July 18th
Lucas:hi! it’s me, Lucas, your housemate! We really have mismatched schedules! I guess you work nights? I leave for work super early so I guess that’s why we haven’t met
Lucas:Just wondering if you usually do your drawing out in the living room?
Lucas:That’s fine, I just thought maybe we could arrange like a cleaning schedule/house ground rules as we will be co-inhabiting for a while?
Lucas:Is this the right number?
July 19th
Lucas:Hope to hear from you soon, can’t believe we haven’t met yet lol :)
Armand:Roger. Sorry.
July 19th
My phone had been buzzing periodically over the past hour, but despite my anxiety, I couldn’t break to check my messages until I’d finished brushing Hot Sauce McJones. Eventually, the old gentlehorse booped my temple to show he was done, and I made sure he was properly corralled before stepping away. The thought of reading Matt’s texts made my stomach clench, but I took a deep breath and braved a glance at my screen.
It was a series of photos that I recognized as the local Target Matt and I would always shop at. He’d sent pics of himself, with two carts (one full and one empty), posing in front of the home décor aisles as he wrapped his arm around the air next to him.
Matt:just school shopping with ma bestie
Matt:here’s where I would put a Skyler ... IF I HAD ONE lol
Matt:just kidding it’s much easier without you
Matt:I’ll pick up a really ugly rug in your honor
Matt:seriously you’re missing out, do they even have Targets out there
Matt:nvm I don’t care about California
The passive-aggressive punch of the last line made my stomach churn. I would have to explain myself eventually if we were going to resolve this. But for now, if Matt wanted to act like everything was fine, then so could I.
Skyler:Of course there’s targets out here, I’m not in the boonies
