“Oh.”
I give him a sweet smile. “That’s not too much trouble, is it?”
He blinks. “Oh. No. It’s just…well a few of the people at the store were looking at me funny, but don’t you worry. I’ll be right back.” He grabs the bag, and a moment later I’m alone in the flat again.
Okaaay. Plan C, I guess.
While Adam is out, I make myself comfy on the sofa. I flick onGossip Girl, wracking my brain for more ideas, when my phone buzzes. I open the message assuming it will be Adam, but it’s Luca, the guy I was chatting to like crazy for a week until he just went quiet.
Luca: Ciao, bella, how are you? What are you doing today?
I smile. It’s good to hear from him. He’s always easy to talk to and such a flirt.
Jen: Hey, I thought you forgot about me. I’m good. Working too many shifts this week. Just relaxing now though.
He texts back only a moment later:Forgot? How could I forget about such a beautiful woman? Life has been busy for me too. But I’d love to take you out some time now that things have settled. What do you say?
The door opens and Adam holds up the shopping bag. “Back. I got it. Do you want me to cook it now?”
Feeling just a little guilty, I give him a breezy smile. “Haha, false alarm! But thanks anyway.”
“Oh.” He wanders into the kitchen, and I turn back to my phone, trying to ignore the little jab of guilt low in my belly. I’mtrying to piss him off. Trying to get him to leave. I’m not trying to be his friend. That’s why I’m acting like a jerk.
“Hey, Jen?”
I don’t even look around. “Uh-huh?”
“Do you mind if I eat the steak then if you don’t want it? It looks really good.”
“Sure.” I’m not really listening. Luca has texted me the names of three restaurants and invited me to pick one. They’re all fancy too. He’s not cutting corners.
This is promising.
Adam shuffles over and sits next to me on the couch, and I have to move my feet so he can sit down. “Whatcha doing?”
I glance over, and my mouth drops open. He is chowing down on a big piece of raw, dripping steak. I blink. “You’re not gonna cook that?”
He shrugs. “That Friends of the Dead website said listen to my body. I kinda wanted it raw.”
I shake my head. “You know you don’t have to believe everything you read on the internet.”
Luca sends a selfie of him lying on the sofa in his flat. He has a wide, charming smile and a handsome face.
Adam leans closer. “Who’s that?”
“A friend.” I turn my screen away from him instinctively before I remember he’s not my boyfriend anymore. “A guy I’m dating. Or at least I’m thinking about it.”
“What’s his name?”
“Luca.” I flick my eyes over Adam’s face to try to figure out what he’s thinking, but it’s strangely impassive. “He’s Italian. And very charming.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.” Why isn’t he reacting more? “You know what they say about Italian guys?”
“No. What do they say?”
“They’re um… they’re really good with their hands.” I make a gesture I hope comes across as sexy rather than obscene.
