“Fuck. Me.” I fought to still the crazy beat of my heart, taking deep inhales. I was in so much trouble. How could I get out of this?
FIVE
ELI
Humming, I strolled into the house and dropped my backpack on the dinette. I’d seen Malik’s vehicle in the garage, so I knew he was home. After opening the refrigerator, I grabbed the peanut butter. I was craving peanut butter and bananas today. Maybe I was low on potassium? Who knew?
Unscrewing the cap of the peanut butter jar, I eyed the bananas resting in a bowl. They were turning brown, so someone had to eat them.
“Hey.” Malik strolled into the main room. “What are you eating?” He stepped to my side and planted his big hand on my shoulder.
“Peanut butter and banana.” I scooped the peanut butter into a bowl with a butter knife. “Want some?”
“Hell yeah.” He grabbed two bananas and made his way to the dinette. “You need to update me on your love life.” He fell into a chair at the head of the table and peeled a banana.
“Well, it just so happens I caught Wren at the campus Starbucks today.” I had a feeling he’d go there after knowing about his coffee habit on the road. After ripping a few paper towels off the holder, I ambled to the dinette and sat beside Malik. I set the bowl of peanut butter on the table along with a butter knife. I’dbeen doing my best to make headway with Wren. All he needed was time. “We had a nice little chat.”
“You did?” He handed me a banana and spread peanut butter on the end of his own. “So, are you two cool now?”
“I think so.” I added peanut butter to my banana and stuffed it in my mouth. The way Wren had hugged me at the end of our discussion told me everything I needed to know. He still had feelings for me too. After swallowing, I said, “He agreed to let me take him to lunch or dinner soon. We’ll start off as friends, but I think if I can gain his trust again, it’ll be more.”
“Damn, dude. You’re dialed in to this guy.” He ate a bite of banana and peanut butter. “I guess this means you’ll be calling off all the other guys who like you?” He snickered.
“What guys?” I hadn’t had a date since the last school year, and it had gone nowhere. I spread peanut butter on my banana.
With a shrug, he said, “I don’t know. I thought some guys tried to hook up with you at the helpline. It seems like it might be a good place to pick up dudes.”
“That’s frowned upon. We’re there to help people, not hit on them.” I took a bite of the food. I needed a plan to redeem myself with Wren, and maybe Malik could help. “Hey, if you wanted to show a guy you were serious about him, what would you do?”
He tensed the corner of his mouth as he chewed. “I don’t know. You gave him flowers already, right?”
“Yeah, but he couldn’t take them home. Maybe I should buy him more?” I ate the last of my banana and wiped my mouth. What was it Wren really liked? He’d been so strict with his diet in high school, I’d never bought him treats or cooked for him. “Maybe his roommate would know? I have her number.”
“You do? You sly dog, you.” He raised the corner of his mouth. “I think it’s a great idea to ask her. I’m sure Wren’s tastes have changed since high school.”
“And she appears to be on my side, too.” I slipped my phone from the pocket of my backpack and tapped the screen.
Eli
I want to get something special for Wren. What does he like?
My phone chimed.
Grace
Besides pumpkin-spiced lattes? LOL. He likes the liquor-infused Danishes from the Queer Confections bakery on Mill Avenue. But he’ll only let himself have one a week, so don’t buy a bunch. If you do, I’ll end up eating them, and then I’ll be mad at you.
I lifted my brows. “Oh, he likes Danishes from the bakery Tex went to a few times.” I tapped my lips with my fingers. I could stop by between classes tomorrow and get him one. But I’d need to bring it to him. With a grin, I texted Grace.
Eli
Do you know his class schedule?
The dots blinked at me.
Grace
I don’t, but I can get it.
