I mean, Iamhungry. I hesitate for half a second but end up pulling the door open to allow him to come inside. I scan the apartment for any loose items and quickly grab the ice cream off the side table and toss it in the freezer. Lucas stands by the door with his hands in his pockets and watches me the whole time.
“I like your place,” he says looking around.
“Uh, thanks. I guess you haven’t been inside, have you? It’s small but it’s mine.” I shrug my shoulders. I may not have much but it’s at least cozy.
“It’s very you.” He’s staring at the photos on the wall.
“My mom took those,” I tell him. I haven’t talked about her much. Only a few comments here and there. And I’m not sure why I feel the need to say something now, but they’re my favorite pictures she ever took, and she deserves to be spotlighted for her work.
“They’re beautiful.” He’s looking at the one of a single surfer coming out of a barrel of a wave. The photos are in black and white and capture the essence of SoCal.
“She was an amazing photographer. She did mostly landscape and ocean photography.”
“Is that what she did for a living?”
I nod my head and swallow. It still seems so raw to talk about her, but I want Lucas to know. “She worked with magazines and had her work shown in galleries. She was good at what she did.”
“I can tell. I take it that’s why you’re into photography?” He stares at me while waiting for an answer.
I nod my head once again. “She wasn’t just my mom. She was my best friend and mentor. I like doing family photography because I can capture moments for people that they’ll have for the rest of their lives. She died of cancer a few years ago.”
It’s the first time I’ve said it out loud in his presence and it feels good. Really good.
He reaches out and swipes a thumb under my eye, capturing a stray tear. I didn’t even realize I was crying.
I take a step back and force out a laugh, swiping at my cheeks. “You have got to be sick of me getting emotional around you. You should probably just go now, save me from being even more humiliated than I already am.”
Instead of leaving he reaches out for me and brings me into his chest for a hug. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me…unfortunately for you.”
I squeeze his torso for I don’t know how long, and he lets me. He doesn’t ask questions and I’m thankful for it. Eventually, there’s a knock at the door and he plants a soft kiss on my forehead and turns to open it. “I’ve got an order for Lucas.” I hear from the doorway.
I wipe away any stray tears that I might have missed while Lucas says, “That’s me.” He grabs the bags and then thanks the delivery guy.
He puts two bags of food on the kitchen countertop next to my pink rose and starts taking out boxes.
“What did you order?” I ask, curiosity getting the best of me because it smells amazing.
“The brewery had a good selection of food, so I got truffle mac n’ cheese, brisket sliders, a Gorgonzola pear salad, coconut shrimp, and poutine. I wasn’t sure if you were hungry but I’m starving.” He rubs a hand over his flat stomach.
I give him an easy smile. “It sounds amazing.” I look around the room. There’s nowhere for us to sit except the bed. “Give me just a second.” I go into the bathroom and grab a spare towel. “You ok with eating on the bed?”
His lips tilt upwards. “Perfect.”
We set up everything and then carefully climb on top. “What are you watching?” he asks as he takes a bite of the mac n’ cheese.
I bite into a coconut shrimp and moan. Fuck that’s good.
“A show where the contestants bring their partner to an island to test their loyalty. All of them end up screwing other people but a select few. It’s super trashy so we can watch something else,” I suggest as I take another bite.
“If you don’t stop moaning, dinner is going to be over before you finish that piece of shrimp.” He physically adjusts himself, giving me a heated look.
I audibly gulp. “Sorry.”
“Let’s watch the show. I’m intrigued.” And he turns his attention to the TV, entertaining my shitty reality series.
We only watched movies when I stayed at his place and I’m a little bit shocked he would want to watch something so mind-numbing with me. But then again, this is Lucas. He always keeps me on my toes and makes me feel warm on the inside.
We manage to make it through two episodes and about half the food before my eyelids start to get heavy.
