“I heard you’ve never had it before,” I say. “Figured you should.”
Wade shrugs and sits at the table. Rhett sets another spot at the table while Gus gets another plate.
“You can give him that one. I’ll make another,” he says, gesturing to the plate he’d made for himself.
I take two plates. “Have a seat, Rhett.”
He sits beside Wade, and I put a plate down in front of him and Rhett. Gus brings the other two plates to the table and takes his seat while I grab four beers and pass them around.
We don’t talk much while we eat, other than Rhett and Gus commenting on the food. I sneak glances at Wade—it’s hard not to when he’s across from me and the table isn’t big.
“How is the food, Wade?” I ask.
He doesn’t look up at me, just stabs a potato.
“Good.”
“It’sverygood,” Gus says. “Thank you for inviting us.”
“Yes, thank you,” Rhett adds.
I don’t miss the sound of annoyance that comes out of Wade… as he shovels more food into his mouth.
Small steps, I guess. Small steps.
Our plates are empty, and the small table is covered in empty beer bottles—we went through a sixteen-pack.
“I hope you’ll eat with me again,” I say as I gather the plates and bring them to the sink. I look at them over my shoulder. “It’s nice to not be alone.”
“I agree,” Gus says.
“You’re not alone,” Wade grumbles.
“I’m going to watch another movie before I go to bed. You’re welcome to stay,” I offer.
Someone gathers the bottles; I hear them clanking together, and Wade comes into my peripheral, dropping them into the recycling bin to my left.
“Thank you,” I say.
He says nothing in return.
“I’m going back outside,” he says, then mutters a “Thank you.”
“I should go too,” Rhett says.
“If you change your mind, you know where the door is,” I call out. I hear his footsteps heading toward the door, but then they turn around and come back.
His lips press to my cheek in a quick, cute kiss. I’m shocked.
“Thank you for dinner,” Rhett says quickly, then hurries out of the kitchen.
I look at Gus, whose eyes are wide. “Wow, what did you put in that steak?”
I laugh and finish the dishes. Gus dries them and puts them away while I get the movie ready, then we sit on the couch together to watch it.
“You know, for a while, I made Grannie watch this movie every day.”
“Every day?” Gus says, then whistles. “That feels like a lot.”
