“One cheese ravioli plate coming up,” Margerie says. “I’ll bring you some water too.” She winks at me and I almost laugh, then she walks away.
“I think she’s onto the fact that we aren’t loving the wine,” I say.
Hugo laughs. “Probably. Margerie is good like that.”
“Do you know all the wait staff?”
He nods. “Yep. I think I’ve talked to everyone who works here. I’ve been coming to Antonio’s since I was traded to L.A. three years ago. Some weeks, I’m pretty sure I lived here.”
“Do you cook?”
Hugo shrugs. “Meh. I can cook basic shit, but I’m not the biggest fan of cooking. There are a hundred other things I’d rather be doing. Even if it’s just lounging around, scrolling on my phone.”
I nod.
“You?”
“I don’t mind cooking. I wouldn’t say I’m an expert at it, but I don’t hate what I make.”
“What’s your favorite thing to make?”
“Anything with sauce or gravy. I love my starches dripping with sauce. Like a soup.”
He grins. “Nice. I try not to eat a lot of starch.”
I raise an eyebrow and look around. “Italian is basically pasta, you know.”
Hugo laughs. “I know. I’ve had to cut down how often I come here, sadly. Starch makes me sluggish and I need to be at the top of my game.”
Once again, we fall into silence. I love that it’s not weird or awkward, and how I don’t feel pressured to fill it. I’m surprised I feel comfortable enough with Hugo to lean against him.
“In case I didn’t say it, I’m really glad that you’re you,” Hugo says, resting the side of his head against mine. “I think I was making myself sick over the idea I was meeting someone else when I was partially convinced it would mean I was being unfaithful to you.”
I try really hard not to let hope bloom in my chest. “Does this mean you might want to have a second date? Not that I’m rushing the first or anything.”
I can feel his smile, even though he doesn’t pick up his head. “A second, yes. And a third. A fourth. A fifth.”
Now my heart is racing for sure. I can’t catch my breath.
“Maybe… I only want to date you. Is that something that maybe you’d consider?”
There’s a chance I may just pass out. I’m definitely not ruling it out. Afraid I might choke on my tongue if I try to speak, I nod. Fuck, yes I want that!
“So… we’ll date exclusively?”
Sucking in a breath, I nod again. “I haven’t dated anyone before,” I remind him.
Hugo laughs. “Me neither. We can fumble through it together.” There’s a brief moment of pause before he says, “Does this mean we should stop having sleepovers?”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Aren’t you supposed to wait for a certain number of dates before spending the night?”
“I don’t think there are any rules. I think we can do whatever we’re comfortable with.”
Hugo nods. Half a minute later, he picks up his head and looks at me. “I want you to spend the night. I love having you in my bed, Torin.”
My god, this man! I nod because once again, I’m afraid of making a fool of myself. “Me, too.” Fuck, me too!!
