I nodded and filled each plate, hyperaware of their eyes on me as they each took a seat at the kitchen island.
“If you don’t like it, I can make something else,” I said as I set down the plates in front of them. “Oh, shit,” I cursed. “Drinks?”
Enoch’s hand landed on mine as I pulled it back from his plate. “It’s going to be great. I’ll get the drinks. You come sit.”
I stared for a moment, my brain buzzing with the need to keep moving. “No, I got it.”
Enoch pinched his lips together before nodding and releasing my hand. “Water’s fine.”
“Me too,” Jae added.
After everyone had a glass of water, Enoch pulled out the chair beside him, motioning for me to sit down.
After sitting, I stared down at the chicken on my plate. It looked dry.How fucking embarrassing to make a meal in thanks and completely fuck it up.
I just wanted to show him that I cared, that I loved him too.
“Shy?”
“Hm?” I asked looking over at Enoch.
“I said, let’s bless the food.”
“Oh. Right.” My foot shook against the leg of the stool as I realized how similar it all felt.
My brain couldn’t process the short prayer Enoch spoke. I was stuck reminding myself that Enoch wasn’thim. That I wasn’t weak. That if they didn’t like it, I wouldn’t spiral.
I watched in my peripheral as they both took their first bites. Jae moaned with exaggeration and Enoch turned to me with a smile.
“Amazing,” he said around the food in his mouth. “Seriously.”
“Agreed,” Jae chimed in with enthusiasm. “You are welcome to cook here any time you like.”
I took my first bite, trying to ascertain if they were just being nice or if it actually tasted good. The potatoes could’ve used less time, and I should’ve made a gravy from the drippings…but it wasn’t bad.
“Thanks,” I said with a forced smile. “Um, so…anything interesting happen at work today?”
Enoch paused in thought before shaking his head. “Well, nothing work related, but Ford offered to come over tonight to help me knock out the flooring for the rest of the upstairs. If that’s okay with you?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Of course. It’s your house.”
“I know,” Enoch said with a half-smile, “but it’s yours too. At least at the moment, and I didn’t want you to be uncomfortable. Did you end up doing anything to the guest room today?”
I shook my head. “No. I…didn’t get around to it.”
“Okay. You’ll always have time after my parents leave if you still want to do some projects,” he said with a shrug.
I nodded back, lost in thought. “Does he know about me? Was Ford there at the gym that day?”
Enoch looked a little surprised by my question but nodded. “He knows that we’re dating and that we used to date back in high school. But that’s it.”
“Okay,” I said with a head nod. “I, um, I’m excited to meet one of your coworkers…I mean, you’re friends too, yeah?”
Enoch chuckled. “Yeah, I’d say so. Not like best friends or anything, but…yeah.”
There was a beat of silence before Enoch asked Jae, “How about you? Everything still going smoothly for the opening?”
Jae leaned back in his chair, grabbing his glass of water.
