“You know, it’s a good thing I love you, because this takes togetherness to a whole new level.”
Peter shrugged. “Like I said, it’s what was affordable when I first moved here and my roommates are pretty cool so I haven’t had a reason to leave.”
“I’ll give you credit,” I said not trying to hide my amazement. “It shows just how dedicated you are to achieving your dreams that you could deal with this.”
“You get used to it after a while.”
I sat on the edge of the bed, watching as Peter rummaged through a dresser hidden inside the closet. In case I hadn’t mentioned it, the bedroom was tiny. He pulled out a pair of skinny jeans and a tank top, laying them out on the bed before crossing the hall for a quick shower. With nothing else to do, I laid back for a nap.
When I woke, the apartment was empty and there was a note on the pillow next to my head.
It was my turn to let you sleep. I tried waking you, but you were dead to the world. If you want to twiddle your thumbs and watch me get my hair colored, text me for the address. I’d suggest putting on your shoes and walking around a bit. There’s a market nearby if you wanted to be a dear and get something to make for dinner.
Love you
Those last two words made up for my annoyance that he’d left me here on my own. I could hear his roommates on the other side of the wall and wasn’t up for the whole strange dude in their place conversation. I debated pulling the blanket over my head and sleeping until Peter got home, but I was intrigued by this market he mentioned. It may not amount to much, but Ihadpromised him I’d find some healthier options to make for dinner while we were here. Of course, that was before I realized I’d be working in a kitchen so small a hobbit would be cramped.
The front door closed, and I heard the snick of the deadbolt while I rummaged through our suitcase, trying to find something that’d be comfortable for walking around in the late afternoon steam bath. Most of the clothes that were my size still had the tags on them, meaning Peter had gone shopping, probably after deeming my wardrobe unsuitable for his friends.
Stop being an ass,I scolded myself as I peeled stickers and tags off a pair of khaki shorts and a simple burgundy T-shirt. If I’d packed, I’d have stacked all the shirts in one pile and the shorts in another, but not Peter; he’d alternated, almost like he knew I’d be responsible for dressing myself at some point and wanted to make it clear which tops and bottoms went together. It was cute seeing the subtle ways he asserted his control. By the time I was dressed, most of my irritation had fled. I even snapped a selfie from the front steps of Peter’s building and sent it to him so he’d have proof I didn’t hide in the bedroom all day, even if I was still second-guessing that decision.
The market wound up nothing like I’d expected. There were a few vendors set up, all with produce trucked in from who knew where. I surveyed what was available, then went back and made my purchases. I’d stop by the butcher shop on my way home to pick up the protein for tonight. Anything beyond that would have to wait until I talked to Peter and found out the food storage situation at his place.
Peter was already home by the time I got back to the apartment. He greeted me at the door, wrapping his arms around my neck and his legs around my waist, nearly knocking me on my ass. “I like seeing you in my space.”
My gut twisted because I understood what he meant but his words were hard for me to digest. I liked being wherever Peter was, but after my adventure today, I was more certain than ever that I would never warm up to this city. Part of me wanted to go home, but that wasn’t fair to Peter. This was supposed to be our weekend to see if our lives could truly mesh outside the bubble of my townhome.
“What are you making?” Peter asked, taking the bags out of my hand and peeking inside. I followed him into the kitchen, or at least tried to because there was barely room for one person in the cramped space. I let him put the groceries away, then swapped places with him.
“With as hot as it is I didn’t want to make anything too heavy, and the market had some fresh peaches, so I figured we’d have pork chops and couscous tonight.”
Peter hummed in approval. “That sounds perfect. I was thinking if you’re not too tired after dinner we might head out to a club.”
I bit back a groan, because clubbing and bars had never been my scene, but I got the impression it was a big part of Peter’s life. If that’s what he wanted to do, I’d suffer through the night just like I did when my brothers dragged me out. “I suppose we could do that. The only problem is I’m pretty sure I don’t have anything suitable for going out.”
“I’m sure we can find something that’ll work,” Peter said, sliding up behind me and burying his hands in my front pockets. “Contrary to popular belief, not everyone dresses up when they go to the clubs here.”
That may be true, but I wasn’t going to the clubs with just anyone; I was going out with Peter. He made it quite apparent his looks were part of the overall package because of his job. I didn’t want anyone seeing me out with him and judging him for it.
Making it through dinner without any interruptions was a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t sure whether that was a coincidence or if Peter had asked his roommates to stay out, but I wasn’t going to question it.
While I showered, Peter said he’d find clothes that were both comfortable enough for me and dressy enough for a night out on the town. We switched places after my shower and I started getting dressed. The T-shirt he laid out must’ve been his, because it was two sizes smaller than I normally wore and nothing I’d seen before. In less than twenty minutes, I was ready to get the night started so I could count down until we were back here.
I sat on the couch flipping through TV channels while Peter took his sweet time getting ready. I turned when Peter finally stepped out of the bedroom, nearly swallowing my tongue at the sight before for me. Peter wore a pair of heels higher than any I’d seen him in before, pants that appeared to be leather, and a flowing black top that shimmered in the light. But that wasn’t the biggest difference; his face was nearly unrecognizable with his dramatic eyeshadow, liner, and what I had to assume were false lashes. He lips were tinted a deeper shade of pink than natural and shimmered in the light. My mouth watered, desperate to see if his lip gloss was flavored, but resisted, not wanting to ruin the look.
“Babe, if you keep looking at me that way we’re never getting out of the apartment.” Peter sauntered across the room and slid his hands down my torso. “Then again, looking at you I’m not so sure I so want to go out. I’m tempted to take you back to the bedroom and beg you to fuck me.”
“I’d be down for that,” I responded, not expecting him to let me off the hook. He’d been looking forward to tonight; I could tell by the glint in his eye when he mentioned dancing.
“Oh hell no,” Peter scoffed. He pulled me closer, grinding his hips against mine to a beat only he could hear. “We won’t do this every night, but tonight, I want to take you out and show you off. Want my friends here to see why it’s been so easy for me to stay away.”
“If it’s time for you to get home, I’d understand,” I told him. It’d break my heart to say goodbye to him, but I didn’t want him feeling as if he had to choose between me and the dream he’d worked his ass off to make come true. And I didn’t even want to think about what it would do to Sophia if he decided his life here was too much to consider giving up for us.
“Fuck that.” Peter smacked me on the chest. “If you really think that’s what this is about, you’re a bigger idiot than I’d realized. I stayed with you these past few months because I knew how much it sucked to leave the first time and I was putting off doing it again. But then, I fucked it all up and fell in love with you for real. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but don’t youdarestart trying to push me away for my own fucking good.”
I closed my eyes and nuzzled the hollow below Peter’s ear. The tension in his stance eased, and his body relaxed in my grip as I kissed my way down his neck.Thiswas why I loved Peter so much; because he always called me on my shit. “You’re right and I’m sorry. I had too much time to think today and realized how different our worlds are. No matter how hard I try, I can’t imagine you moving back home for us any more than I could see me dragging Sophia up here.”
Walking through the neighborhoods had been difficult for me. It made sense that Peter felt so at home here. He was vibrance and noise, someone whose presence demanded to be noticed. Seeing him now, I realized even more how much of himself he’d closed off when he drove to town for his Mama’s funeral. He was truly radiant; smiling broader, shining brighter. He wasalivein a way I hadn’t seen until tonight, and we hadn’t even left the apartment yet.
