Page 50 of One Night

"What are you talking about?"

"By showing up here, I didn't break the rules of our arrangement."

"Yes you did. You were supposed to just write letters."

"And do romantic gestures. That's what you said. And today was a romantic gesture. I showed up at your apartment unannounced. I surprised you. Surprises are romantic gestures."

"Oh." She looks perplexed. "Well, that's not really what I meant."

"You can't define romantic gestures. They're different for everyone. And to me, surprising you like this was a romantic gesture, as was buying your favorite muffin."

"But what if I didn't want the muffin? Speaking hypothetically, because I kind of did want the muffin."

"If you didn't want it, that's fine. You didn't have to eat it, but that doesn't mean I can't buy it for you. A gesture is meant to convey a feeling for someone, an affection, and whether or not that's reciprocated or wanted or appreciated isn't the point of the gesture."

"Did you look up the definition of gesture? Because you seem to know a lot about them."

"Not really. I'm kind of learning as I go. This is all new to me. I've never had all these dating rules before."

"I know it seems strange but I warned you I was a little crazy when it comes to romance. And given the way we met, I just feel like we need to step back and start again. I don't want us to just be about sex. I want more."

"So do I." I kiss her cheek. "I have to go. I'll call you—I mean, I look forward to your next letter."

She smiles. "I'll put extra time into it."

"I hope so," I say, walking to the elevator, "because if it's like the last one, I'll fall asleep before I even finish reading it."

The stunned look on her face is the last thing I see before stepping into the elevator. It's fun giving her shit about that letter. She knows it was crap and I could tell she was embarrassed by it. I can't wait to see what she writes me next to make up for it.

***

When I get home, Van is on the couch in the living room watching TV. He must've just got back. He took a road trip to Kansas City this weekend to see a band that he likes. I didn't feel like going so he went with a buddy of his from class. Van's a music major but doesn't know what he's going to do with his degree. He doesn't like to plan ahead or set goals. He likes to just live his life and see what happens.

"How was the trip?" I ask as I hang my coat on the hook behind the door.

"Damn car broke on the way home." Van lifts his legs up on the coffee table. "I knew we should've taken mine. Jason's car is a piece of shit. We ended up stuck on the freeway just outside Kansas City."

"So what'd you do?"

"Had it towed. Jason's still down there, waiting for it to be fixed. I rented a car to get home."

"Was the concert any good?"

"It was great. And afterward Jason and I went to a bar and met some girls." He smiles. "Had a good time. Speaking of girls, I heard you dumped Allison."

"You talked to Austin?"

"Yeah. He said Allison showed up in a trench coat and nothing else. Why'd you dump her, man? That girl gave you sex whenever you wanted. And she's hot." He shakes his head. "Damn, she's hot. If she hadn't been with you, I'd do her in a heartbeat. So why'd you dump her?"

"Austin didn't tell you?"

"No. Why? What happened?"

"I finally heard from Amber."

"No shit?" He sets his feet down on the floor and sits up. "She called you?"

"No, she came over and dropped off a letter. I didn't see her. The letter was left at the door."

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