She snatched one of the napkins and dabbed it along her mouth.
“It’s good. Martha and her sisters can cook, can they? This is tasty. I don’t really like moose, so I skipped that, but the salmon salad is amazing.” She licked her fingers, grabbed her plastic fork, and started in on some coleslaw. “I love it when she makes the pot roast at Gus’s. They don’t have her do it often, but if Dan calls in sick and it’s pot roast day, she fills in.” They drew quiet for a moment. “Jack.”
“Mmm hmm,” he said between chews.
“You can talk to me.” She looked at her plate, then began eating again.
He finished off his slaw and ribs, then began working on a piece of cornbread.
“What do you want me to talk about?”
She shrugged. “Whatever you want. If something is on your mind, but you don’t know how to say it, just do so the best way you can. I’ll make sense of it. Just saying that even though we haven’t known each other all that long, you can trust me.”
I’ve known you for fifty-two days, but who’s counting?
“Time will tell.” He smirked, taking another bite of the golden cornbread that was far too sweet, so he tossed it aside.
“Time will tell, huh? You plan on being my friend for a long time then, I take it?”
“No. I don’t need any more friends.”
“Okay, that’s fine. I’ve never begged for a relationship, or a friendship, and despite this place being uncharted territory for me, and I admitted to you that sometimes I get lonely, this still won’t change me. I didn’t plead then; I won’t start now. Thanks for coming to the party anyway.”
Kim lowered her head, and her back curved. She began eating her food again, this time more slowly. He would have loved to know what she was thinking, but he found her demeanor interesting.
“I answered you honestly.”
“And I appreciate your honesty, but you’ve been sending mixed signals. It’s fine though. Really. That’s okay.”
“I said that no, I don’t need any more friends.”
“And I heard you. My hearing is just fine, and my comprehension even better.”
“But your need to jump to conclusions is a problem. You didn’t let me finish. There are no mixed signals. What you thought you picked up on, you did. I thought it was clear what my intentions were. Isn’t it obvious?” She stopped eating and looked at him. “I don’t need any more friends, Kim, because I want more than a friendship from you…”
She turned away and started eating again, her eyes keenly on her plate, but he didn’t miss the smile that spread across her gorgeous face.
At that moment, he recalled he had some bottles of water in the back that he hadn’t brought into the house.
“I’ll be right back.” On a sigh, he opened the driver’s side door and hopped out. He grabbed two plastic bottles of water and returned to the driver’s seat with them in hand. “Here.”
She took one, quickly twisted the cap off, and gulped.
After downing half the contents, she finally took a breath. “Whew. I needed that. Thank you.”
“Mmm hmmm. You’re welcome.” They finished their food, and she looked towards the house.
“I think we better go back in. I know she’s noticed we’re gone by now.” Kim reached for the door to let herself out, but he pulled her arm.
“Come here.”
Their gazes hooked, and she scooted to him. He reached for her, caressing her cheek. She rested the side of her face in his palm, and he took a picture in his mind of this moment, when it became crystal clear that there was someone with him who enjoyed his company. She could withstand his bluntness, his teasing, and play along. She was intelligent and independent. She had secrets. He had secrets. He imagined, in due time, they’d know each other’s hidden worlds, pass each other a key, and face the mortification of discovery.
“The first time I saw you at Gus’s, I thought to myself, now isn’t this a sight for sore eyes. I liked what you said about me earlier tonight, by the way… the bricks, stone, and wood.”
“You did? You had a funny way of showing it. I was trying to flirt with you.” She winked at him, showing those pretty teeth of hers.
“I’m not a man of many words but let me try that fancy, romantic talk out and see if it turns you on.”
They both laughed.
“Okay, go ahead. Lay it on me.”
“All right. What do you think of this?” He cleared his throat and dared himself to dig deep. “I wasn’t looking for a flower. I was bringing the storm, but then, I found you. You’re like a little daffodil growing out of the snow.” He swallowed and continued. “The blizzards haven’t destroyed you, no matter how they tried. Your petals were tattered, but still, you survived. No one knows how you lasted, but there you were, pretty, strong, and blooming. When the wind blows, you move with grace. A tiny dancer you are, spinning under the sunlight, Broadway spotlights, Northern lights, and moonlight. Each time I’ve seen you, every time we’ve spoken on the phone, it became clearer and clearer… I realized something.”