CHAPTER ELEVEN
Patrick
Patrick looked athis watch. Four fifteen. He had an hour before Simon was due home. Enough time for a cup of coffee before he hit the shower. And he desperately wanted the caffeine after the long day at work, although maybe it wasn’t such a good idea given how jittery he already was.
Lisa was in the kitchen, and the scent of garlic wafted through the air.
“Hey, Patrick.”
“Hey. I don’t mean to get in your way. I was just going to grab a coffee.”
She smiled broadly and motioned him over. “Don’t be silly. It’s your kitchen.”
“What are you cooking?” Patrick looked into the pot. His stomach chose that moment to rumble, and Lisa laughed.
“You’re welcome to have some. I’m making the sauce for a lasagna, but it won’t be ready for hours yet. It’s for Bruce’s and my meals during the week.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m going out tonight.”
“Hot date?” She raised an elegant eyebrow as she waited for his answer.
Surprisingly, he found himself blushing. “Er… it’s just Simon. We’re going out for a meal and a movie.” He still wasn’t sure about the whole picnic idea, so knowing they could just head out to a movie was reassuring.
Lisa smiled. “I think it’s great. I’m happy for you. You really like him, don’t you?”
Patrick wasn’t used to talking much about his feelings. Charlie was his best friend, apart from Simon, but they didn’t usually have heart-to-hearts, at least not about his love life. He wasn’t sure what to say, so just nodded, and Lisa returned to her stirring.
“Did you want a cup?” He indicated the pot.
“No, thanks anyway.”
Patrick got a mug from the overhead cabinet. It was from a set of six he’d bought at Target when he’d first moved into the house. Red and blue stripes, bright and bold to start the day, he’d thought when he’d first seen them. Plus, they were chunky with big handles so less likely to get damaged, as opposed to more delicate cups. Regardless of his best intentions, the set was now down to five of the colorful ceramic mugs. Thankfully, he’d learned not to buy expensive things that couldn’t stand up to rough and tumble. He filled the mug with coffee, added sugar and cream, then sat at the counter.
“So where are you going for your date?”
“It’s not a date.” Lisa raised one of her perfectly groomed brows again. “Okay, it’s sort of a date,” he admitted.
She laughed. “Itsois a date.”
Patrick sipped the coffee, his hand only shaking slightly as he brought the mug to his lips. He met Lisa’s gaze, her head tilted as she studied him. She then quickly checked her pot.
She put down the spoon and pulled up a stool next to him. “Are you okay, hon? You don’t look happy. Is it all the crap that’s going on with the letters?”
“No.” Patrick shook his head. “Okay, maybe a bit, but it’s been a while since the last one so maybe they’ve stopped.”
“Then what is it?”
He glanced at her, her concern obvious. “I feel stupid.”
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I’m always here if you need someone to talk to.”
Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to talk to her. “I’m not sure about this whole dating thing.” There, he’d said it.
“Dating thing? What aren’t you sure about?” Her brow crinkled in confusion.
“I’ve never really done much dating before, at least not where I’ve been the one asking.”
“But you and Simon are living together, and I’ve seen you out as a couple before.”
