“Not yet, I wanted to get this started. It would’ve been tastier if I’d made it last night.” A few hours in the fridge should do the trick.
“What if he has plans and you’re making a huge, delicious lasagna for no reason?”
I paused my unpacking. “You’re saying the lasagna will go to waste if he doesn’t come over?” That’d be the day.
“Heck, no! Text him, already! You’re stalling.”
“Fine!” I grabbed my phone off the counter.
Ellie: Hey! Do you have plans for dinner tonight?
“There. Sent. Are you happy?” I scowled at Todd.
“Yes. But I’ll be happier when you get his reply.” Luckily for Todd’s nerves, it came through quickly.
Wes: I’m free after six. Would you like to go out to eat?
I studied at my watch. I had plenty of time.
Ellie: Come to my apartment. I’ve already started dinner. Bring a big appetite.
Ellie: Wait, do you have any allergies?
Wes: Just Penicillin. Try not to put any antibiotics in the food, and we’ll be fine.
I laughed and breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.
Ellie: Deal. See you at six thirty.
Todd read the texts over my shoulder. “Why do you spell everything out? You’ve always done that. There are text shortcuts, you know.”
“I hate them. There’s no reason we can’t be grammatically correct whenever possible.” I lectured. “Forget those kids and their texting fads. And they can get off my lawn while they’re at it.” I giggled at myself.
Todd rolled his eyes. “Whatever. I’m going to go pick out your dinner outfit. He’ll be wearing a suit from work. You don’t want to look like a slob next to him.” He waltzed toward my bedroom, humming. He enjoyed my flirtations far more than I did. He didn’t have to worry about the hard part when multiple relationships got more serious. He only focused on the fun.
The lasagna came together beautifully. I’d made it so many times it was second nature. Once it was in the oven, I wandered into my room to find Todd in my closet, reorganizing again.
“Isn’t it time to donate some stuff? I’m never going to wear the skinny jeans. Ever.” There are some dresses in there not appropriate to wear in the bedroom, much less out of the house.
“Puhlease. You’re smashing in anything I pick out for you. But, I thought along the same lines. There are some styles in here at least a couple of years old. It’s been ages since we organized. I love organizing your clothes.” Todd came out of the neatened closet with straight-legged gray slacks and a blue silk button up shirt covered with white polka dots. It had cap sleeves and a ruffle at the neck. Satan followed him out. He loved Todd.
“Todd, I’m impressed. I love the outfit.” It was cute and feminine, but I wouldn’t feel like a peacock in it.
He grinned a Cheshire cat grin at me. “Good, then you’ll let me play with your hair and add another layer of mascara.”
I ignored him. “When does Rick get off work?” I asked.
“He’s been working a ton of hours, still the work audit. It’ll be late.”
I rolled my eyes and plopped down on the bed. “Aw, I’m sorry. But it won’t last long, and you’ll get your lovey back.”
With several hours before Wes was due to arrive, we opted to pile up in bed and watch Netflix.
All too soon, the lasagna was ready to chill. The wine breathed in the bucket. The bread was about to go in the oven. Todd perched behind me on the bed, leisurely putting curls into my hair as we laughed at the show.
The doorbell interrupted our makeup session a few minutes later. “I’ll get it,” I said.
I remembered to check the monitor. Arch stood in the hall. I opened the door to find him visibly irritated. “Don’t you know how to answer your phone?” he asked as he pushed past me into the apartment. “Are you okay?”
