“I’ll do it—you already do plenty for me.” I flash him a shy smile. “I can fry some bacon, too. It’s a good day for a big breakfast.”
“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”
“I thought I’d take the day off—no yoga for either of us.” I offered to do yoga at home at first, but he insisted I was finegoing to classes. While I don’t want to become a hermit, I do feel better knowing I’m not leading him into unnecessary danger. Maybe I can alternate between home and class to minimize our outings.
“That is reason to celebrate,” he teases wryly as I bustle around the kitchen gathering the items I’ll need for the pancakes.
“I don’t know how you’d feel about it, but I’d love to see if Isa could come by to hang out later today.”
“Fine by me.” He’s suddenly standing by me with a skillet in hand.
“Thanks.” My voice grows unexpectedly husky at his nearness. I hesitantly take the pan then get back to my task, trying to ignore the fact that he’s now leaning against the counter behind me. Watching.
“I’m putting in a grocery order today. You have any requests?”
I whirl around, forgetting my nerves. “Yes! I’d love to do some cooking, if you’re okay with that.”
“You won’t hear me complaining. Maybe after you eat, you can put together a list. I’ll add it to the order.”
“I can do that. Do you have any allergies or preferences?”
His gaze is warm molasses on a crisp October morning. “You make it, Rina, and I’ll eat it, yeah?”
DiAngelo’s sweet words have stolen all of mine, so I nod and try to keep breathing now that my lungs have forgotten how to work.
Today is definitely different.
This is uncharted territory, and I’m terrified of how good it feels, but I try not to let that fear taint the moment. Breakfast is a success. I’m pleased at how my pancakes come out, and DiAngelo practically licks his plate clean. We clean the kitchentogether, then disperse to our separate activities until it’s time for Isa to arrive in the late afternoon.
I introduce her to Bonny, and the three of us plant ourselves in the shade outside on the balcony after we make ourselves some cocktails.
“Mmm, perfect day for a cold drink.” Isa sips from her vodka tonic that is mostly tonic.
I raise my glass in agreement. “I should probably drink straight from the bottle after the couple of weeks I’ve had.”
“Yeah, I want to hear all about it. I’m not sure how you breathe with all that tension in the air.”
I frown, though I know exactly what she’s talking about. “Tension? That’s just DiAngelo. You know how intense he is.”
Come on, acting skills. Show me what you’ve got.
Isa chuckles. “My bad—so … nothing is going on between you guys?”
“No, nothing at all.” Not technically.
“Excellent, because I’ve been thinking, and if you’re okay with it … I’d like to ask him out. Seeing him again reminded me of the old days, and I thought it might be good to reconnect.” She peers at me warily as though worried I’ll be upset.
My cup clanks onto the glass patio table as the air evaporates from my lungs.
Isa and DiAngelo? I don’t even have to say it out loud for the bitterness to coat my tongue, yet the taste is so strong, I have to fight back a grimace.
Maybe I want DiAngelo more than I wanted to admit. More than a simple attraction.
A peal of laughter scatters my chaotic thoughts. Isa grins. “That’s what I thought.”
“Wait…” I stare at her. “Did you just …baitme?”
She shrugs impishly. “More like nudged you a little.”
