Page 28 of Holding On

Chapter Seven

Ethan

What is she doing here? Who just drops by someone's house after just meeting the person? Maybe it's an Ohio thing. People in L.A. would never do something like that.

And why did she pick today? Because it's a holiday? Did she think I'd be bored and lonely? Truthfully, I was both those things. I've been bored and lonely since moving into this place. But I'd never admit that to anyone.

"Do you want me to heat it up?" She holds up the burger, which is wrapped in foil.

"Sure. Go ahead." I watch as she unwraps the burger and takes out a plate. She knew where the plates were because she was snooping in my cupboards the other day. I yelled at her for it, which I shouldn't have done, but I didn't like her commenting on my lack of groceries. It's none of her business what I eat or how much food I keep in my fridge.

"Crap, I forgot the buns." She chews on her lip. "Do you have any?"

"No. I'll just eat it without one."

"I could run to the store. It's not that far."

"Really, it's fine. Don't worry about it."

She opens my fridge and scans the shelves, which are mostly empty. "What about pickles? Mustard? Ketchup?"

"I don't need it. I'll just eat it plain."

She closes the fridge. "I should've brought all that stuff. I wasn't even thinking. I hurried out of the apartment and totally forgot."

"Why were you in a hurry?" I grin just enough to make her think I'm onto her. I'm not. I have no idea what she's thinking or her motive for rushing over here. I'd like to think she likes me and that's why she's here. I caught her looking at me when she was cleaning the other day. Just like I was looking at her. There's definitely an attraction between us.

She pauses, like she's trying to come up with an answer to my question. She glances at the clock on the microwave. "Because it's dinner time. I didn't want to bring this over only to find out you'd already eaten. You haven't, have you?"

"No. I was taking a nap when you got here."

She puts the burger in the microwave and sets the timer. "You sleep a lot."

"Only when I'm tired." It's a lie. I sleep a lot because I'm bored, and maybe a little depressed. "I was up late watching TV."

"You watch a lot of TV," she says, smiling.

"What can I say? I like TV and I like to sleep."

She finds a bowl and pours the potato chips in it.

"How long were searching through my kitchen?" I ask, but in a kidding tone, not the angry tone I used the other day.

"Not long." She sounds nervous, like she's worried I'm about to yell at her. "I was only looking so I'd know where to put stuff when I unloaded the dishwasher."

That makes sense. I hadn't even thought about that. So she wasn't snooping, and yet I accused her of it.

The microwave beeps and she takes the burger out. She holds up the plate. "This looks really pathetic. No bun. No condiments. Just a sad little burger." She frowns, which is the cutest thing ever. Most people have angry frowns, but hers is sweet, like her smile.

"It's fine," I tell her. "It smells good. Did you grill it?"

"Mike did." She walks over to the kitchen table and sets the plate down, along with a knife and fork. "What do you want to drink?"

"I can get it." I roll myself to the fridge and take out a can of soda. "Mike's your brother?" I ask, hoping he's not her boyfriend. I'm not sure why I care. I'm not going to date Becca, and yet the thought of her with some other guy irritates me for some reason.

"Yeah." She brings the chips over and sits down. "He's five years older than me."

"Aren't you eating?" I ask as I maneuver myself at the table. It's difficult with my leg up, which is why I never sit here. I usually eat in the living room with the plate on my lap.

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