Gray:
Get back out there, get out of your head, and stop making it weird.
They’re right. They aren’t fuck me waffles. They’re platonic roommate waffles. Now, get back out there, and be an adult.
I wash my hands and then walk out of the bathroom and down the hall toward the kitchen.
“Sorry about that,” I say.
“You don’t have to apologize. Hungry?” He gestures to the table, and I see two plates sitting across from each other. Both are stacked high with freshly made waffles, bacon, and eggs prepared my favorite way—scrambled with cheese.
“Starving.” I take a seat in front of one of the plates, but he remains in the kitchen.
“What do you want to drink? Mimosa?”
“Oh, I don’t like orange juice.”
“Then it’s a good thing I wasn’t planning on making them with orange juice.” The corner of his mouth tips upward.
I watch as he walks over to the fridge, and pulls out strawberries, elderflower liqueur, champagne, basil, and something I can’t identify.
“What’s that?” I point at the little jar filled with pink liquid.
“Strawberry juice that I made earlier,” he says nonchalantly, pouring a little into each glass. He tops each one with some champagne and a shot of St. Germain.
I don’t know how to describe it, but he seems so natural at making it. Practiced even. He tops each one with a basil leaf and a sliced strawberry.
“Are you some type of secret mixologist?” I ask as he hands me one of the glasses.
“Just a hobby,” he says, taking the seat across from me.
“So, you wear suits to work and make cocktails in your spare time? Who knew you had a secret double life?”
He laughs. “No, I’ve just taken a couple cocktail making classes for fun. It’s nothing. I also don’t usually wear suits to work.” He takes a long drink of the cocktail. “So, tell me about you. Any secret double life I should know about?”
“No secret job, but I do paint in my spare time.” I take a bite of my waffles. An accidental moan escapes when the mix of butter and syrup hits my tongue.
“You like them?” he chuckles.
“Sorry. Yeah they’re really, really good.”
“You don’t have to apologize. It was hot…I mean cute…no, funny. It was funny. I’m glad you like them.”
I offer him an awkward smile. “Shall we talk about the move in plan?” I suggest.
“Yeah. Let’s do that.”
“Okay, well I was thinking there’s really no need for me to wait until the end of next month. Your company was so kind to offer to let us cut our leases whenever we want, so would it be weird if I moved this weekend?”
“This weekend?”
“Is that too soon? It’s just that most of my neighbors have already left, and I’m certain a ghost has taken up residence in the apartment above mine.”
“A ghost?”
“Yes, a ghost. My upstairs neighbors moved, and Dolly and I heard footsteps last night. How else would you explain it?”
“Do ghosts walk? I thought they floated.”
