"I'm sure."
We're quiet for a second as we leave the gym. It's not an awkward silence, but there's a thread of tension, like we're both thinking about what to say. He beats me to it.
"If you're still good for me to come over Saturday, I have a list of stuff I want to work on."
"Yup. What'd you come up with?"
"Well, I want to fix your front door. Three times this week, I woke up at three in the morning, thinking about that door."
I can't help but laugh picturing him staring at his ceiling, thinking about burglars. "The only robbers I'm likely to have are raccoons, and they usually stick to the trashcans." When he chuckles, I add, "They have those little bandit masks and everything. It's Roseville, for goodness sake. When was the last time anybody was robbed?"
"I dunno, but I'm sure it happens," he grumbles.
"What else?"
"I want to go around the house and caulk the windows. It's going to get hot soon, and that house isn't going to stay cool. I don't know how you kept warm all winter."
I shrug. "Lots of slippers. A space heater."
"Jesus, your electric bill must have been nuts. I want to check the rest of your cabinets too, and under the sinks. Probably in the crawl space too."
My face pinches. "There's gonna be more than a leaky pipe under there."
"You don't have to go. I'll do it."
"No, I want to! I can handle some spiders. Mice. Animal bones." A shudder clicks down my back.
"A possum or two."
"Aww, but they're cute."
"Not when you're on your belly under a house with one hissing at you."
"Oh. Yeah, probably not."
He pushes open the first set of double glass doors for me, then the second.
"Well, I wanted to ask if there was anything in particular that sounded good for dinner."
"Don't make plans."
I frown, glaring at him. "Listen, we had a deal--"
"I know, but I have a surprise for you."
Grey is smirking, his pale eyes doing that twinkly thing. My frown doesn't subside, but it's flat at least.
"What kind of a surprise?" My car beeps when I unlock it, opening the hatchback with my remote.
"The kind you'll thank me for later." He looks so proud of himself, I laugh. It's the closest to giddy I've ever seen him.
"Must be good."
"Hope so." He stacks one box on the other. I reach for the third, and he looks at me like I'm crazy. "No. I've got it."
I put my hands up in surrender. "Fine."
When he picks them up, the top box comes up to his nose. I snicker.
