“A piglet?”
“Squealin’ and shit.”
She imitates the sound, and the cackle that comes from me is outlandish. “You don’t sound like a piglet, I promise.”
She blows the steam from the noodles on the spoon. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be.”
“Just because you’re hung doesn’t mean you get to tell me what to do.”
My cheeks pinch with my smile. “Stop it.” She takes another bite of pasta, and I’m beginning to think she’s no longer tasting it but straight-up eating it. “Can I get some?”
“You have to spank me and call me a good girl first, like everyone else.”
“Forpasta?”
“Oh, my bad. I thought you meant getting some piglet time.”
“Bri!”
She laughs at my misfortune, offering me a spoonful from the pan to ease my pain. I stare into her eyes while accepting the bite, appreciating the look of ease on her face as much as the tangy feta. Standing in a rented apartment, eating straight from the pan with a woman I’ve known for less than a month, I feel at home.
When the pot is empty, Bri claps her hands together. “We’re going outside today. Did you decide what you wanted to do?” She’s excited about today’s tourist adventures, but my conversation with Sai threw me off. And then her shorts threw me off even more. None of that matters right now.
“Whatever you want to do.”
“Another art museum?”
“Yeah, why not?” As if I’d want to be anywhere else but with her.
With her hands on my waist, she gives me a little shake. “What do youreallywant to do?”
Stay with you. “I’m totally down to go to the museum, but can we talk for a sec?”
“Of course. What’s up?”
It feels like I’m asking her to stay with me for the first time again. The difference is I know where her ex is, and staying means I need him to like me when I absolutely despise him. “How is the job search going? Any better?”
Her curious levity leaves. She removes her hands from me and crosses her arms. “Bad. Why?”
“My client isn’t giving in. My boss told me to stay through next month. I’ve been having a great time with you, and I was wondering if you’d want to stay here with me a little longer.”
A shadow crosses her face, stealing some of its usual glow. She doesn’t respond.
“I’ve upset you.”
“You didn’t. But we agreed I would only stay a couple of weeks and it’s already been three.”
“No,yousaid you would. I said a month at least.”
“I don’t want to rely on you more than I already have. I didn’t tell you about my financial situation so you’d pity me.”
“There’s no pity. I want you here for mostly selfish reasons.” She doesn’t seem to believe me. “We have a week before you have to decide. Think about it?”
She doesn’t answer for an awkward amount of time. “I will.”
“Cool,” I say.
