But she doesn’t call me on it.
Instead, she nods to the kitchen. “There’s hummus and veggies in the fridge, along with a cheese tray if you’re hungry and don’t want cupcakes.”
I shouldn’t have come here tonight.
She’s making me feel like I fit in her life. Like she wanted to be prepared to make me comfortable too in the event that I showed up, when we both know I shouldn’t be here.
She’s leaving.
But the idea of being alone with my own thoughts tonight was even worse than knowing it’ll hurt like hell to get closer and then watch her leave.
You can still call herkeeps echoing in my head.
But that would mean acknowledging I like her enough to want to have a real relationship.
And I don’t do real relationships.
Pretty fucking sucky at them even in person, to be honest.
That’s not fair to her.
“Can I—” I start, but she grins and cuts me off.
“You can only serve yourself with your finger once it’s on your own plate.”
“Takes all the fun out of it.”
“If you get hungry enough, you can find your manners.”
Whispers from the living room make both of us look toward the three older ladies.
Sheila immediately bends over and starts fluffing pillows on the couch.
Odette smirks and looks back at the TV, pointing the remote to start the movie. “Pride and Prejudicedoesn’t wait for stragglers.”
Evelyn’s smirking too as she takes one of the easy chairs next to the couch.
The opening sequence flashes on the TV. Goldie grabs the mason jar I’ve been drinking out of and refills it with water, barely limping as she moves around the kitchen.
“You hungry?” she asks me.
Always. Especially once training starts.
I don’t answer, but she pulls out a plate and dives into the fridge anyway.
And five minutes later, I’m sitting next to her on the couch.
She’s in the middle with Odette on her other side, my dog curled up in Odette’s lap.
Evelyn and Sheila keep sneaking glances at me like they think they’ll catch me making a move on Goldie.
Or maybe they’re checking to see if I’m reacting appropriately to the movie.
Of fucking course I am.
I might be a Neanderthal in a lot of ways, and I might still be holding out hope for aDungeon Crawler Carlmovie, but there are rules when it comes to reacting toPride and Prejudice.
I don’t make them, but I do respect them.
