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It felt rude not to invite him for dinner after he’d come to rescue me from the fire that didn’t exist. “You’re welcome to join us.”
“Thank you, but I can’t. I have a friend coming over. Gonna be doing a little cooking myself.” He smirked. “And unlike you, I don’t plan to almost burn dinner.”
“Very funny.”
“Just kidding.”
“Well, if whatever you’re making tastes like that egg concoction you cooked up the other day, she’ll be very happy.” It had to be a woman coming over, right?
“Hope so.” He grinned.
I swallowed uncomfortably.
Rafe took a few steps back. “Take care, Talia.”
“You, too.” I waved awkwardly.
And then he was gone.
Rafe had a date, which shouldn’t have surprised me in the least. I needed to use that information for my benefit, allow it to help me stop thinking about him.
***
“What smells so damn good?” Calder asked as he walked in the door that night.
“I made my grandmother’s meatloaf. Hope you’re hungry. We have to eat before it gets cold.”
“Wow. You actually finished it without forgetting it was in the oven, huh?” he joked. “Proud of you.” Calder would tease me from time to time because I had a habit of being forgetful when I’d start a task, sometimes not finishing it.
The table was set, and I had lit some candles. Calder followed me over to the counter where I had the pan cooling. “I can’t believe you did all this, babe. Thank you.” He kissed me on the cheek.
He and I sat down to a nice meal, and he told me all about his day, venting about company management and describing some of the things he’d yet to learn. As I ate and listened to him, I couldn’t help but notice what Rafe had pointed out when I’d joined him for eggs the other morning. I hadn’t spoken about myself once the entire dinner and instead had done nothing but listen. While admittedly, I didn’t have much to report, I shouldn’t let Calder completely control the conversation.
Finally, after about an hour, he asked, “How was your day?”
“Well, I spent a good chunk of it cooking.”
He wiped his hands on a napkin. “It was absolutely delicious. Thank you.”
I opened my mouth and closed it, hesitating.
“What’s up, babe?”
I exhaled. “Part of the reason I wanted to make this meal is because it’s my grandmother’s recipe and reminds me of home. I struggled a bit today with homesickness.”
He reached across the table for my hand, his expression softening. “I’m sorry. I know this move has been a lot for you. But I promise you’ll get more used to being here with each day that passes.”
I smiled, even as I wondered if it reached my eyes, again thinking back to Rafe’s perceptive observation about me. What if I never get used to it here?
After dessert, Calder and I each showered and then put on a movie in bed. As we were debating what to watch, I felt the vibration of music playing beneath my feet from Rafe’s apartment. I’d managed to mostly stop thinking about him until now.
“These floors are pretty thin, huh?” Calder said.
“Rafe told me he was having a friend over tonight.”
“When did you see Rafe?” he asked, staring at the TV.
“I forgot to tell you. When I was making the meatloaf, I set off the fire alarm.” I laughed nervously. “Rafe ran upstairs to make sure the apartment wasn’t burning down.”
