“Oh, thank god.” Royal sighs dramatically. “It rang more than twice, and I thought you were standing me up.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I laugh. “I’m the one who asked you to call tonight, remember?”
“I don’t know, maybe this was how you were planning to end our friendship, stand me up or something.” He yawns before continuing. “In all seriousness, it’s good to hear your voice.”
“It’s good to hear yours.” I keep looking at the contents of the refrigerator, like they’ll magically morph into something interesting to eat.
“So, what is the cohost doing tonight?” Royal’s voice changes in volume and quality, like he goes from one microphone to another. Whatever he’s using now is much crisper and clearer. It’s a noticeable difference with how I’m holding my phone to my ear.
“Well, I’m currently glaring at the contents of the refrigerator, demanding that they change into something delicious to eat.” I give up and close the refrigerator door.
“Possibly a dumb question” — Royal pauses for a beat — “but why don’t you just order food from somewhere? You’re in Gold Coast. It has some of the best restaurants in allof Chicago.”
“True.” I think about the restaurants in the surrounding blocks. “But how do you know they’re the best?”
“The awards they earn are public record?” Royal’s quick to defend himself, but in a more meek voice, he says, “Listen, I’m just a man who likes to eat. A little thing like boundaries hasn’t ever stopped me from finding a way to get food.”
I gasp, pulling my hand to my chest as I pace the kitchen. “Scandalous! You’ve been coming to D’Medici territory for food?!”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, let’s not make it sound nefarious like that. I occasionally will blur the lines of who belongs where to send a delivery driver from neutral territory to D’Medici territory to bring me what I desire. But I personally have respected the boundary between our families ninety-eight percent of the time,” Royal admits with such a sly tone. “The other two percent was for coffee because I wasn’t about to go to that stupid fuckin’ chain when a perfectly good local shop was around the corner.”
“Well, I think that’s probably negligible. We wouldn’t want the chain stores to get too uppity about themselves.” I walk over to the drawer where I keep some takeout menus hidden under tea towels.
“Decide to order in?” Royal asks, and I pause.
I get that feeling like I’m being watched again, but it’s not a menacing feeling. It’s kind of comforting to not be alone.
I shake my head. “Yeah, there’s this Chinese place I can hardly ever order from because Dad’s too racist despite being an immigrant himself, and Mom is unadventurous.” I sigh, looking over the menu. There are so many options, and they all sound so good.
“My parents just went out to dinner. They’re bringing me back a half duck and sweet potato fries. Maybe they’ll get back at the same time as your food arrives and we can eat together.” He offers, and I welcome the change in subject from my trauma dumping.
“That’d be great. But what should I order?” I drum my fingers on the counter before putting the phone on speaker and setting it in front of me.
“What are the options?” Royal tries to help.
“Should I send you pictures of the menu?” I reach for my phone again.
“Or the name of the restaurant. I bet they have an online menu?”
Moving my hand from my phone, I flip the menu over like Ihaven’t looked at it a hundred times just to double-check the name. “Oh, fair. It’s called Lion’s Den.”
I don’t hear any clicking coming from his side of the phone.
“This place looks delicious.” Royal hums. “What was that noise about?”
“What noise?” I stop breathing, trying to listen.
“You made this little grumbling noise, like you’re displeased or something.”
“I don’t remember making a noise,” I say but now start questioning it.
“What were you thinking about?” Royal probes a little harder.
All I can do is pretty much think about you lately.My face turns hot, and I scrunch my nose up, hoping for a positive response. “I couldn’t hear you typing.”
“Oh, I’m using my tablet.” He explains without a pause. “We could video call — that is —” he stammers, “if you want.”
Is he nervous?I’m thrown off base on multiple levels.Video call is a new step.
