He looks back down at the task at hand and continues sweeping up the mess. “It’s okay.” And it is. It’s something I think I would have done. Especially if that person was expecting me. But only because my thoughts go to the worst thing that could happen and they may need help. “I didn’t realize my music was up that loud, or how much time had passed.”
He sets the broom and dustpan on the floor and stands. “At least it was good music.” He looks around the floor, inspecting the area. “I think I got it all.” I take a step, and he holds his hand up. “But I want to make sure. Do you have a vacuum?” He points toward my feet only protected by a pair of socks. “Don’t want you to get cut by a tiny piece.”
“Yeah, first door on the right in the hallway. There should be one in there.”
He puts both of his hands on my waist and lifts me up on the counter behind me. Not taking any chance of me getting hurt. Not going to lie, it feels nice to have someone care about me this much, and the flutter of butterflies in my stomach is an indication I’m going to fall hard and fast.
He heads to the laundry room to grab the vacuum and I admire the view the entire time. On his way back, he pauses to turn the music down before coming into the kitchen. He unravels the coil and looks for a plug. The only one on this side of the room is right behind me.
Scooting over I point it out, expecting him to hand me the plug to do it for him. But no, he places one hand on the side of me and reaches around me to plug it in. My breath hitches as his hand on the counter brushes against my leg.
If he heard it, he doesn’t react. He pulls back and turns back toward the vacuum, turning it on and rolling it over the area both of us were standing in minutes ago. I thought him being in my space would be weird or awkward, but it isn’t. Watching him do every day normal things in my home is…different. Not good or bad, but different. Even though whatever this is between us is new, and fake I tell myself again, this feels normal.
The vacuum turns off and he ravels the coil. “I think I got it all.”
I could wait for him to lift me off the counter, but I won’t. This date has already started off weird. I slide off the counter and bend down to pick up the dustpan. Walking it over to the trash can, I lift the lid and toss the remnants of my glasses inside.
“Thanks for cleaning it up.” I stride over to where we were standing and pick up the broom before heading to the pantry and putting them away. “It’ll be one hell of a story to tell.”
“Like the way you said I was your boyfriend in a crowded bar?” He smirks before taking the vacuum back to the laundry room.
I grab two more glasses from the cabinet and set them on the table. I pick up the bouquet he brought and notice the name of the flower shop. I go to the sink and grab a vase from the cabinet underneath before filling it with water. Placing the flowers inside, I set it on the counter next to sink. “When did you get these? We usually close up early on wedding days.”
“I got lucky,” he comes into the kitchen and pulls boxes of food out of the bag. “Kate was still there when I pulled up. She tried to give me the flowers you brought back from the wedding, but I figured that’s the last thing you wanted to see.”
“You’d be correct.” I grin and turn to grab some silverware out of the drawer before going back to the table. He definitely did not opt for fast food, and I’m grateful. “This smells delicious.”
“It’s the new steakhouse in town.” Woah, I’ve heard that place is amazing, and expensive. He shouldn’t have sprung for this. Not when I’m literally in my cozy clothes and he cleaned up the mess I made. “I didn’t know what sides to get you, so I ordered a salad and potato.”
“That’s fine with me.” I set the silverware down at opposite sides of the table and move the plates to the same spots. He grabs a fork and moves a steak from each box to the plates. Then places a potato on each. Before long we have a full spread in front of us, and I grab the empty bag, setting it next to the fridge.
He pulls two beers out of the case and fills the glasses. He throws the empty bottles in the trash and holds up the box. “Can I put these in the fridge?”
“Absolutely.” He sets them in there and waits until I sit down before sitting himself. “Thank you for dinner.”
“You’re welcome.” He grabs the knife and cuts into his steak. “I’m sure it would be better when it’s eaten there. Not that I’m complaining. I’m glad I get to see where you live.”
“Sorry for the whole staying in thing. The bride of the wedding was…a lot, and I didn’t have it in me to go out.”
“Understandable. Maybe we could watch a movie when we’re done eating.”
“I feel like there is a ‘Netflix and chill’ joke coming,” I laugh before taking a bite. “Oh my God,” I moan. “This has to be the best steak I’ve ever eaten.”
He mutters something under his breath, but I don’t catch it all. All I hear is, “making noises like that and.” He takes another bite and nods in appreciation. “I don’t even think our cook at the bar could make it taste like this.”
“I’m going to tell him you said that. I think his food is delicious.”
“I’m not knocking his food. Other than my mom, he cooks the best food I’ve ever tasted…until now.”
I cock my head to the side, thinking about it. “You may be right, but I’ve also never had one of his steaks.”
“You aren’t missing much.” He takes a drink of his beer and I do the same. “How’s David?”
“Huh?” That’s a weird question.
“You said he called last night.”
“Oh, yeah.” I set my fork down. He didn’t call. I called him not long after I got home. But there’s no way he could know that, right? “He’s fine. We still call to tell each other goodnight when he stays over at my mom’s.”