“Is it, um, here in Ames?”
“For now.” I nod and reach out to get another piece of pizza. This will be my third and last. I’m already stuffed to the gills, but I don’t get pizza very often. I feel like I need to indulge.
“Here.” He hands me the honey. “For the crust.”
“Oh, I forgot.” Damn. Now I’ll be so full, I’ll have to waddle out of here.
“So, this new job…,” he asks tentatively.
“It’ll be remote, so I can work from anywhere.”
“Oh.” He smiles. “Good.”
Hell yes.He said “good.”
* * *
I’m notsure what to do after we’ve finished dinner, so I ask, “Can I help you clean up?” I know, it’s only two plates and a pizza box, but it’s impolite not to offer.
“Nah. I’ve got it.”
Should I leave?
“Want to watch a movie or something?”
Thank goodness he brought it up.
Not wanting to lose this thread, I say, “Sure. Do you have any of the subscription channels? You know, like Netflix?”Ooh, Netflix and chill.
“No. I’m not here enough. I’ve got a bunch of DVDs in that cupboard next to the television. Go ahead and pick something out while I start up the dishwasher.”
Opening the cupboard door, I’m not sure what I expect to see. Certainly not this. “You have every Harry Potter movie?”
“Yeah. I read all the books as they were released, so I had to see the movies. My family sent those over to me on the base while I was overseas.”
Wait one second….“You were in the service?”
“I was. Four years.”
“Which branch?”
“Army. MP. Military police.”
I guess it makes sense that’s he’s a cop now.
When he steps back into his living room, he’s holding a fresh glass of water for me. “You sure you don’t want a beer?” he asks.
“No. I’m driving. And Ames cops are hard-core.”
He laughs again, like he did before. “You’re right. They can be assholes.”
“I’ve heard.” I roll my eyes, then smile. Reaching in, I grasp my choice. “Let’s watch the first Harry Potter.”
“Sounds good.” Taking it from me, he sets the movie up while I settle in on the sofa again.
When the opening credits start to roll, Gage steps backward, then turns. I had hopes of him sitting next to me on this sofa—you know, extra close with his hand on my thigh—but that’s not going to happen if he’s sitting in the chair.
Damn it.
