“What’s that supposed to mean? Cece and Charlie were the ones who invited me,” I said, trying to imbue as much authority into my voice as I could.
“Okay, then explain why Bash has been around so much?” he asked, waggling his eyebrows at me.
“He’s just being protective,” I muttered, uncomfortable about the turn in conversation.
“You really don’t see it, do you? Damn, this is gonna be pretty funny. Gonna enjoy watching you and Bash dance around each other,” he said, reaching for the bag of shredded cheese I hadjust opened. I smacked his hand away before going to my fridge and pulling out supplies. I quickly whipped together turkey sandwiches for both of us and slid a plate over to him before grabbing a bag of chips from the pantry.
Match decided to have mercy on me, and the rest of the morning went by quickly. He watched me cook as we talked about comics and the potential for becoming a tattoo apprentice.
“You promise you’re not mad at me?” I asked, looking up from the layer of noodles and cheese I was dumping in the Pyrex.
“Nah, it worked out. It’s always been a dream of mine to learn how to tattoo. You helped me get closer to that. So, thank you. But you’re still annoying,” he tacked on. I couldn’t help but laugh.
Once everything was in the oven, my phone started ringing, and I picked it up once Charlie’s name flashed across my screen.
“Hey!” I answered as I went around putting ingredients away.
“Ew, why do you sound so chipper? It’s so early,” Charlie moaned on the other line. Eyeing the clock, I laughed.
“It’s after 1 p.m. What shenanigans did you get up to last night?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Nothing interesting. Anyway, I was calling to see what time you wanted me to pick you up for dinner, but if you keep making fun of me, I’ll make you walk,” she threatened.
“Well, it’s a good thing Bash is driving, then, huh?” I replied as I squished the phone between my ear and shoulder, reaching up to put the sugar back in the cabinet.
“What do you mean, Bash is taking you?” she asked, her voice suddenly much clearer. I was confused and unsure what to say, so I answered honestly.
“Last night before he left, he said he would pick me up after work. He said he would be at the garage until four today. I just assumed you would be with him,” I said, scowling at Match, who was giving me a knowing look.
“I see. Well, it looks like I’m swinging by the garage today,” she muttered, but before I could protest, I heard a knocking in the background.
“Gotta go. See you tonight, Feefee!” she said in an obnoxious voice.
“Please don’t call me that. It sounds like a name for a poodle or something equally ridiculous,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Yep, I kinda like it. Anyway, time to yell at big bro. Talk soon!” She disconnected, and I stared at the phone in my hand.
“Told ya,” Match muttered, and I rolled my eyes before chucking a piece of cheddar at him.
I pulled the cheesecake out and put it in the fridge to settle before pulling the tray of mac and cheese out to cool. Match’s eyes rounded at the sight of it, and I was happy that I had gone overboard and stuffed it with ground beef and broccoli, topping it off with extra cheese and breadcrumbs.
When it had stopped bubbling, it was about time for me to get ready for dinner. I packed up the dish for Match and shooed him out of my apartment with a demand that he call me after he met with the club tattoo artist.
Finally, alone in my apartment, panic started to rise in me.What do I wear?I wasn’t asked out to dinner often and rarely to a person’s house. My wardrobe was rather bisected; I had my work clothes and then my home clothes. There wasn’t much in between. Even my nicest lounge set wasn’t really proper going-out attire, but I didn’t think showing up in slacks and a blouse was any better.
I wound up neck-deep in my closet, rummaging around the few items I had bought on a whim but never worn. Finding a pair of plain black jeans, I pulled them on and gave a sigh of relief when they buttoned without issue. I paired them with a white T-shirt and an olive green cardigan. It was basic but put together.I completed the ensemble with some small gold earrings and started the tedious process of styling my hair down.
Slipping on black ankle boots, I took a final glance at my appearance. I looked different, somehow both relaxed but polished. The green in my sweater made my hair pop, and the small bit of blush and gloss I used gave a bit of life to my typically washed-out face.
At the last minute, I grabbed the only belt I had, thinking the subtle gold buckle would look cute with my earrings. It tied the whole look together, and I felt confident and ready to go. Removing the cake from the fridge, I put it into an insulated bag, then sat fully dressed in my living room, waiting for Bash. At 4:45, my phone beeped with a text, letting me know he was a few minutes away.
I locked up my apartment and carried the cake downstairs. Through the window on the entrance, I saw when his large SUV pulled in. Two short honks rang out as I left the building, then the passenger door opened. Charlie hopped down and ran over to me, grabbing the bag before hustling me into the back seat.
“Hey! You look so cute!” she squealed before continuing, “What did you make?” she asked once we were both in the car.
I secured the cake on the seat next to me before buckling myself in. When I looked up, I made eye contact with Bash in the rearview mirror. He gave me a warm smile, and I couldn’t help the blush that spread across my cheeks. Breaking his gaze, I focused on Charlie, who was turned around in the passenger seat and eyeing me.
“I brought dessert. I didn’t want to show up empty-handed,” I replied, wondering why Charlie was staring me down.
