“I don’t know, Aaron. You cancelled our date, then showed up here ranting about being a bad boyfriend. I assume you did something with someone.” I can’t say the actual words.
“Oliver. No, please look at me.”
It takes me a few beats before I can meet his gaze. His eyes are glassy, but earnest.
“Never. I’m shit at relationships, but not like that.”
This man is going to ruin me. The way he runs his thumb over my cheek turns me on. That shouldn’t be erotic or even stimulating; it never has been before. Everything is different with Aaron. A fact I both love and hate. “Please. Just tell me.”
“You know how Matthias loves to have his backyard get-togethers? Well, his backyard is a disaster with all the construction. The guys were talking about wanting to hang out there this weekend, but it’s basically all dirt. I don’t know, I was only half paying attention, but then I volunteered to host.”
I nod, waiting for him to get to the point.
“On Saturday. When we’re supposed to be on our date.”
Oh. Well, it’s not great, but it’s not catastrophic either. Not my usual scale, but it will do. “We’ll postpone. No big deal.”
“Okay, so we’re definitely going to reschedule our date, but I’m hoping you’ll come on Saturday. It’s not a date, but I want you there. It’s part of why I volunteered. So I could make sure you were invited.”
That’s sweet. “Yeah, I’ll come. I had plans on Saturday, but they cancelled, so…”
“Well, whoever cancelled on you sounds like a real jerk.”
“He’s not so bad. A little clueless sometimes, but nothing I can’t work with.” Now that our plans are sorted, I’m feeling a little bit more at ease. And also wet. “Do you mind if I gochange?” The fabric’s cold stickiness against my skin is starting to get to me.
I’m up and down the hall to my bedroom before he can respond. It’s tempting to change into a real outfit instead of wearing my pjs, but he’s already seen me in these. At least this shirt won’t be drenched and reek of alcohol.
I pull on one of my nicer shirts, not one I’d typically wear to bed, but not so lovely as to draw attention to myself.
Another broken date. Did I break a mirror and forget about it? Walked under a few dozen ladders? So far this year, I’ve had the worst luck. Every time I think it’s changing, I turn around and get whacked in the face.
With Aaron, I thought I’d finally found my lucky four-leaf clover. I’m not sure I’m wrong about that, but it feels like something’s keeping us apart. I swear, if I could get him to myself for a few days, I could convince him that us being together is a good idea.
Between his work and my work and everything else, I’m pretty sure that we’ll be old and gray by the time that happens. It won’t stop me from fantasizing about it, along with a few other things.
“So, tell me about this party? What can I bring?”
Aaron’s made himself comfortable while I was gone, his long legs stretched out across my sofa. It’s nice to see him like this, relaxed in my space.
“Nothing. Just yourself.”
“Um, no.” I lift his legs enough to sit down, letting his feet rest in my lap. “I have to bring something. If you don’t assign me something, then I’ll end up buying chips and salsa.”
“If you insist on getting something, that will be perfect.”
Boring, but fine. Oh, an upside to this whole situation is finally getting to see Aaron’s place. “Hey, I’ll finally get to see your secret hideout.”
“My what?”
“You’re super secretive about your home. We’ve been friends for months, and you’ve been here dozens of times. Not once have you invited me over.” If I didn’t know better, I’d think maybe his place was a complete disaster. Even worse than mine. Except I’ve watched this man fold his dirty running clothes before putting them in his backpack to take home. I doubt his place has even a single item out of place.
Probably doesn’t have an overflowing laundry basket either.
“I’m not secretive.”
I give him my best version of a glare. It’s not perfect, but it does the trick.
“I’m not,” he protests. “Just… private. Either way, you can come over early for the grand tour.”
