It was on the tip of my tongue to demand that she show Sofia some respect, but I knew enough about women to decipher when to retreat. The less said, the better.
"Fuck you, Simon." And with that, Maria slammed my shoulder as she stomped off.
I heard the door to Sofia's apartment open and closed my eyes against her timing.
"Wow. She is maaaad." Sofia leaned against her door jamb with a triumphant smirk. All she was missing was a bag of popcorn.
"You could've come out sooner."
She straightened from her relaxed pose, her eyes dancing in delight at my predicament. "And miss my own version of Melrose Place? I don't think so."
Whatever response I was about to make died in my throat when I ran my eyes over her form. Her hair was up in a high ponytail, curled tendrils dancing around her neck. She wore a black t-shirt that molded her gorgeous tits, and a pair of mustard yellow shorts showcased her brown legs. It was casual, lounge-around-the-house attire. But on her, it made me envision lazy Saturday nights with her bare legs resting on my thighs. Massaging the arches of her delicate feet as we watched a movie. Her big, whiskey-colored eyes would sleepily blink up at me, and I'd carry her into our bedroom -whoa, whoa, whoa!
What the fuck?
How did I go from wanting to fuck Sofia's brains out to fantasizing about domesticated shit?
I needed to get laid. That's what my problem was.
Sofia opened her door wider. "Are you gonna stand there all evening, or are you gonna come in? I have stuff on the stove."
"Uh, yeah." I shook my head against my momentary brain fog.
When I entered her apartment, I breathed in the delicious aroma of beef and spices.
"Fuck, that smells good."
"Chilli Con Carne with cornbread. Had a sudden craving for it today. Hope that's okay. If not, there's takeout menus in the drawer."
"No, no. That sounds amazing. I haven't had Chilli Con Carne in a long time." I flashed her a lazy grin. "She can cook and bake. My dream woman."
Sofia rolled her eyes as she wiped down her bench. "Save your praise for the actual taste test. It should be ready in about fifteen minutes. There's drinks in the fridge. Help yourself."
After grabbing a can of coke, I was again drawn to the painting on her wall.
I marveled at her talent: the broad strokes, the delicate shading, and the shadows she created. The curve of the woman's hip and the swirl of blended background colors enhanced the naked form.
I cleared my throat. "I know I made a joke about your art before. But this is seriously amazing work."
I felt Sofia's hesitation before I heard a wooden spoon tapping against a pot. "Thanks."
"So, who's in the picture?"
"Her name's Daria. She was a model in a life drawing class I attended."
"Life drawing? That's nude models?"
"Sometimes they're nude, sometimes not. It's more about studying and appreciating the human form - whether they be nude or clothed."
"Have you ever posed?" I felt an irritable sense of jealousy at the thought of anyone seeing her naked body.
"Once." I could hear the amusement in her voice. "But I mainly lead the classes."
I jerked my head towards her. "They have life drawing classes in New Haven?"
"No," she shook her head. "In Chadwick."
"That's only ten minutes outside of Helensville."
