“Oh my god, fuck you.”
He spun to stride away along the corridor, but I grabbed his arm, laughing. “I’m kidding!” I said, pulling him back. “You can come over. Though you have to buy me real, actual meat.”
Suspicion lingered, but he said, “Give me permission to exclude tonight’s meal from the budget and I’ll buy you whatever you like.”
It was tempting to be sanctimonious and point out that I didn’t have the luxury of just excluding things from my budget because I felt like it, but a really good meal I didn’t have to pay for was even more tempting. “Fine. Permission granted.”
A smile twitched through his annoyance. “Good. What do you want?”
“An amazing steak. One that’s so good it melts in your mouth. And vegetables. God, I miss fresh vegetables.”
“Steak and vegetables? Wow, Mat, you are truly boring,” he said, an amused light shining in his eyes. “But your wish is my command. I’ve got some shit to see to first though.”
“Sure. Take your time.”
With a shake of his head, he walked back toward his own apartment, muttering, “Steak and vegetables.”
Four
Katie Zhang
So . . . Miles Callahan is staying in our building
Excuse me what?
In the apartment across the hall near the stairs
You mean the one with the cat and the terrible water pressure?
Shit I forgot about the water pressure
He’s going to kill me
Are you seriously telling me he took up your challenge?
This had better not be a joke Mat I swear to god
MILES CALLAHAN TOOK UP MY CHALLENGE AND IS STAYING IN THE APARTMENT WITH THE AWFUL WATER PRESSURE!
I HAD TO TEACH HIM HOW TO USE A LAUNDROMAT AND NOW HE’S BUYING ME STEAK FOR DINNER
Help
Omfg
You don’t sound like you need help actually
IT WAS ALMOST seven when Miles arrived, dressed in a pair of casual jeans and a dark grey Henley, its long sleeves bunched and its buttons open to reveal the silver necklace he always wore cutting across his collarbone. He smelled freshly showered, the cologne I had noticed earlier having a hint of almond and sunlight amid the soft floral tones that made for an intriguing combination. It left me feeling strangely underdressed despite the rips in his jeans. A reminder that I was spending my evening with a man used to glitzy parties and five-star hotels, while I hadn’t even tidied the place up. I’d meant to, only to get stuck circling all he’d said about my game like it was running on repeat in my head. He’d used words liketalentandinstinctandfucking brilliant, and I’d almost remembered what it had felt like to fly.
“Dinner’s on its way,” Miles said, flashing a smile as I let him in. “Hope you’re hungry.”
“Always.”
It had been a flippant answer, yet it possessed enough truth that I couldn’t decide whether him taking it literally or meta-phorically was worse. Both were all too honest.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I asked so he wouldn’t think about it. “Not that I have many options.”
Miles opened the paper bag he’d brought and planted a six pack on the kitchen counter with a glassy clink. “I have provided that too.”
