Page 47 of Never Lie
“I see.”
He’s not being fair. He’s thirty-six years old and a widower. He must realize that such a revelation is enough to make people wonder. How do you lose your wife at such a young age?
He sees my expression and lets out a sigh. “She was in an accident. It was… awful. And I hope this doesn’t sound cold, but it’s honestly the last thing I want to think about when I’m here with you.”
“I understand.” And I do. It’s not like it would be better if Luke was going on and on about his dead wife. He claims he’s over it, and I believe that. But I still can’t help but wonder. What sort of accident was it? Was he involved?
In any case, I’m not going to find out the answers to my questions tonight.
Between me and Luke, we polish off the rest of the saltines and peanut butter. I glance at the clock on the microwave—it’s nearly one in the morning. Even though he put his clothes back on, his shirt is still mostly unbuttoned. He lives all the way in the Bronx, and he’s never going to want to make the hike back to his apartment this late. He’s going to want to stay the night.
He’ll probably want to cuddle all night. A cold sweat breaks out on the back of my neck.
“So.” I clear my throat. “This was nice.”
“Yeah.” A smile plays on his lips. “It really was.”
“I wouldn’t mind doing it again sometime,” I say. That part is true. But next time at his place so I could leave when it’s over.
“I’m on board.”
“Any other time. Just… you know, text me.”
“I will.”
“Yes. So.”
A long silence hangs between us. Finally, Luke breaks the silence. By bursting out laughing.
I stare at him, affronted. “What’s so funny?”
He wipes his eyes. He’s laughing so hard, there are tears. “You want me to leave so badly, but you’re too nice to say it.”
“Well…” I fold my arms across my bare chest. “I’m just used to sleeping alone. And don’t you prefer your own bed too?”
“I absolutely do.” He leans forward to brush his lips against mine. “Honesty, I’ve got to be at another hospital in the city tomorrow morning and I wasn’t looking forward to running home at the crack of dawn to shower and get fresh clothes. I would’ve stayed if you wanted me to, but I’m good with going home.”
My entire body sags with relief. “Thank you.”
“But.” He holds up a finger. “You have to let me take you out to dinner.”
“I’m the one who owesyoudinner. Remember?”
“Except no way. I want to takeyouout to dinner.”
From an evolutionary perspective, females are more reproductively valuable than males. After all, we can only carry one pregnancy at a time while men can spread their seed more freely. As a result, male mammals must “earn” female reproductive access by offering gifts. It’s certainly not unique to humans, although I would say sheep or cows rarely find themselves in this particular conundrum.
From a social psychological standpoint, traditional gender roles are often internalized for men. They feel obligated to make decisions and take control while women follow. By setting a precedent such as paying for a meal on a first date, the man is establishing himself as the dominant leader in the relationship and relegates the woman to the passive role.
I consider explaining all this to Luke, but then he leans back in the kitchen chair, which groans under his weight. “I’ll stay hereall nightif I have to, Adrienne.”
Fine. If he wants it that badly, I will not argue. Despite my distaste at the prospect of falling into traditional gender roles, I’m a little flattered. “All right then. You may take me out to dinner.”
I walk Luke to the front door. Just before he leaves, he grabs me one last time and kisses me. It’s a lovely kiss that makes me tingle down to my toes. I can’t wait to see him again.
And as he heads out the door, the thought flits through my head that maybe Luke could help me out with the EJ problem.
Chapter 26
