“They're still watching us aren't they?” Taran asks, breaking our brief silence.
“Yep. They're shameless, but I love them,” I reply. “Ginaalso has always been a bit of a momma bear about me even though I'm two months older than her, so I'd watch your back.”
“Noted,” he chuckles. “I’m glad she has your back, everyone needs that.”
“I don't have much family, and none nearby, so she, her husband, and their two kids are my family here. I adore her in-laws too.”
“I just have my mom around here, so I get it. Carlo and his family basically adopted me.”
That brings me up short once again. The curiosity in me about him keeps growing. I don't want to push him further though, partly because I'm too stunned at how well we already understand each other's family situations. So I just nod again in acknowledgement and echo his words. “I’m really glad they have your back, too.”
We go on like that for another hour, talking about simple things like work and pets. Amongst the dancing, music, and general noise, it feels like we’re in a private bubble. Our legs are touching, we brush hands reaching for our glasses, and nothing can tear our attention away from each other. I normally can't stand sitting at a bar and socializing with someone I barely know. With him though, it's easy. He's so effortlessly charming and funny, and he doesn't make me feel like I'm abnormal or difficult. Does he even pick up on my differences, or is he one of the few that sees past them? My normally ever present social anxiety is laying low. It's still there, but I'm much more able to be present and not get lost in my head about whether this is going well, whether he likes me, agonizing over being awkward or saying the wrong things, and the hundred other loud thoughts. I'm actually able to converse like a real human being.Maybe it’s because he's already seen me upset and angry, and still seems to like me? He's already cracked the mask I always feel like I need to put up, and he's still here flirting with me and shooting his shot. I might already be completely fucked when it comes to him. It's scary as anything how easily he has brought some of my walls down, and I'm not sure I'll be able to handle it if I'm once again left in the rubble. I need to be so much more careful this time around. After that hour of talking, we are both stifling yawns after our long days. Taran holds out his phone to me unlocked.
“Want to exchange numbers? I'll text you this week, especially if I have a delivery of work to give you, so you have some warning.”
“A warning about incoming work will always be welcome,” I tell him, as I take his phone and plug my number in with a small smile. I don't tell him that marketing usually gives me a heads up that materials are coming for review. We both know it's just an excuse to text, anyway. He's grinning as I give him his phone back, then I see him quickly type in something. A second later, my phone pings with a text from him.
I’m really glad you ended up on my route, Lyra
So I shoot back:
I am too, Taran
We smile at each other before a quick hug goodbye, an exchange of goodnights, and asking each other to text that we got home ok. As soon as he leaves, Gina is at my side demanding I repeat every word spoken. She is giddylistening to it, like we're back in high school over analyzing every conversation with boys we like. When she keeps looking at me with her ridiculously hopeful smile the entire time she drives me home, I tell her to quit it or I'm sending her all of the pizza with extra olives.
Chapter 6
Taran
My mom is eyeing me so intently, because I don't think she has seen me this giddy in at least 10 years. I dropped by after work to cook enough food for a few dinners and sit to eat with her. Val said she had a really good day at her outpatient therapy when she left, which in turn made my day. A light rain patters on the back windows, providing a backbeat for the sound of our scraping cutlery on the blue floral plates that are probably way older than Seth. The lovingly worn maple wood of the table and chairs is still sturdy as a rock after who knows how many years. Ma inherited the set from my grandparents, and I think it’ll outlast me.
It's been 2 days since I danced and chatted with Lyra, and it has been replaying in my mind non-stop. When I left her, I couldn't even help doing a little bell hop in the parking lot as I got to my car. I can't lie, I wanted to kiss her so badly on that dance floor that it physically hurt, but I'll be patient. Baby steps, right? So between Val's news about Ma’s therapy today, and still riding a high about Lyra, I'm inan obviously giddy mood. I shake myself out of my thoughts though, and focus on my mom.
“How's the chicken, Ma?”
“Oh, don't you 'how's the chicken, ma' when you look like it's the Christmas morning that you got your first bike. If you don't tell me what's going on to make you look so giddy in the next 30 seconds, I'm going to have another stroke. Spill. Now.”
“Jesus, please do NOT have another stroke on me. There's not much to tell. I'm really happy you had a great day at therapy today.”
“You're not lying about that, I can tell, but there's something else too. Spill it.”
Never in my life have I been able to get anything past her. I have no chill, and everything shows on my face. I was not ready to talk to her about Lyra yet, though it looks like I won't have a choice. She won't stop until she gets it out of me.
“Alright, but please don't get too excited. It's very new, we've barely become friends. I had a really great time with a woman when I went out with Carlo the other night. I've delivered to her before too, things that she's needed to sign for. We exchanged numbers.”
This look she is giving me right now is why I was afraid to tell her when it is so new, and not even a romantic relationship at this point. I really wish I had a better poker face. Or that I could stop thinking about Lyra.
“Don't look at me like that, Ma.”
“How am I looking at you?”
“Like you're already planning our wedding. I told you, this is extremely new and not even a romantic relationship. She’s going through a divorce right now.”
My mom's eyebrows rise, then pull together in thought,like she's trying to process what I said and how she should respond. All she comes out with though is, “Tell me about her. I can tell you really like her.”
“She's really gorgeous, with curly hair and big green eyes. She's very dry, sarcastic, and funny. She's completely soft for her dog, who I ply with treats whenever I deliver there. She's an incredible dancer. I can’t deny that I’m pretty smitten already. She's just not in a good place for anything romantic right now with the divorce. We're going to be friends and get to know each other.”
“Well, that's the best way to start any relationship, I've always told you that. She sounds like she's wonderful.”
