“You could have just walked in,” I kiss her cheek.
“Well, I have manners,” she says.
I laugh.
“Thorn is in the backyard,” I tell her, “I was just getting ready to start grilling. I’m thinking I might do leeks and corn on the grill as well.”
“Sounds yummy,” she says, “I’m going to just freshen up first.”
She heads upstairs as I head back into the kitchen.
I see her through the back door as she comes down and grabs a beer out of the fridge. She waves at her brother who is swimming laps and takes a seat near the grill.
“How much longer?”
“Just a few minutes,” I say and she nods.
“I’ll set the table. Thorn, get dressed,” she says and she sets about setting out plates and silverware.
I plate the steaks and veggies and take it inside, setting it on the island.
“Thanks for that,” I tell her as she divides the salad out and places a steak on each plate with an ear of corn and a leek.
“It’s no problem,” she says as Thorn comes inside.
We sit down to dinner, which is good. I like to cook and grill, I don’t get to do it often. I don’t usually have company. Briar is the first girl I’ve had here in like forever. The guys at the gym don’t count. Out of all of them, I’m closest to Tristan. He’s here quite often.
And I love those guys like brothers, but they aren’t company in this sense. After dinner, Thorn says goodnight, that he’s tired and heads up to bed. I sit on a stool and make small talk with her, while she washes dishes. She insisted.
“What’s your favorite color?” I ask.
“Pink, I guess. Maybe black. That’s a hard question to answer,” she says.
“Why haven’t you dated anyone?”
“I’ve been busy trying to raise Thorn. I never had the time or was ready,” she says softly.
“It’s admirable that you would do that for your brother,” I say.
“Family is important,” she replies, and I nod.
“Are you close with your family?” she asks me.
“I am. Hopefully you’ll meet them someday,” I say.
“I’d like that,” she finishes the last dish and washes her hands.
“Well, we should get some sleep, we have a busy day,” I say as she yawns.
“Yeah, I’m tired,” she agrees.
We head to my room and crawl in bed like we’ve done it for years. I pull her back to my chest and wrap my arms around her, and soon we’re both asleep.
I wake up the next morning, crawling out of bed so I don’t wake her. I shower, throwing on some jeans and a t-shirt and head down to Thorn’s room.
I knock and I hear his feet hit the floor.
“Coming,” I hear him say before he opens the door.