“I’m definitely not opposed to that idea,” I reply. “Let me know when you’re ready for dessert.”
Zane is about to respond when his phone rings.
“It’s my sister, I’m sorry. Do you mind if I take this?”
“Of course not. Go ahead,” I say, starting to clear the pizza boxes from the table.
“Hey, sis,” I hear him say, and it makes me smile. I like that he’s close to his family.
“How’s your date?” Her voice carries faintly through the room.
I try not to listen, but the movie is paused, and my apartment isn’t exactly soundproof.
“Great. What’s up?” Zane replies, clearly avoiding going into detail with me right there.
“I wanted to let you know you should’ve told me your stupid friend Blake has a key to the apartment too. I was in the middle of my rendition of Dolly Parton, when he walked in on me. He’s lucky to still be alive, you know?”
I press my lips together, trying not to laugh.
“I’m so sorry. I completely forgot he was coming by to pick up some spare blades,” Zane says. “I’ll text him not to use his key while you’re there, ok? I have to go, but it won’t happen again.”
They say their goodbyes, and the call ends.
I’m in the kitchen, grabbing us fresh beers, when Zane turns toward me.
“Sorry about that,” he says.
“No worries at all. Family is important,” I smile as he takes the beer from me. “Everything ok?” I ask, pretending I didn’t hear the entire conversation.
“Yeah, just bad timing on my part. Everything’s fine,” he says, slipping his phone back into his pocket. “I forgot my friend Blake was stopping by to grab some spare blades. He has a key in case I ever lose mine, and I told him to help himself to it. I didn’t realize Lisa would be there, so he basically scared the life out of her,” Zane laughs.
“Poor woman,” I laugh along with him.
“I’m actually not sure if I feel worse for my sister or for Blake,” Zane chuckles, and I find myself wondering what his sister is like.
“It’s really sweet to see how much you care about her,” I say, resting my hand on his knee. Zane glances down at it before placing his hand gently over mine.
“I have a slightly crazy question,” he begins. “There’s a Grizzlies party on Friday. It’s totally Lisa’s kind of thing, so I was planning to take her; it might be a good way for her to meet people in the city. Would you maybe want to come with me?”
The question catches me off guard.
He wants me to be his plus one. To a party. With his team.
“Are you sure?” I ask before I can stop myself.
“What do you mean, am I sure?” he replies, confused.
I hesitate, unsure how to explain what’s going on in my head.
“Would we go as… friends?” I ask carefully.
Zane’s hand shifts slightly on my knee.
“I was hoping you’d be my plus one. My date,” he says.
I suddenly become very aware of how tight my jeans feel and take a slow breath.
“The thought makes me nervous,” I admit, “but I’d really like that.”
