Page 16 of Home With You

"What do you mean?"

"Have coffee with me again. Assuming you find me at least somewhat interesting after tonight." He smiles. "And if you do, then maybe you could introduce me around? It can be lonely moving to a new city. I don't mind spending time by myself now and then but all the time is too much. Even I get sick of myself." He laughs and it makes me smile. I like that he can pick on himself like that. I don't like guys with big egos who can't laugh at themselves.

"Sorry, but I think this will have to be it," I say, remembering what I still haven't told him.

"Meaning we can't do this again?" He looks down and nods. "It's the tooth, isn't it?"

"What?" I ask, not sure if he's being serious or kidding around. He seems serious.

"My tooth," he repeats. I still don't know what he means so he smiles really wide and says, "See it?"

I look closer. "I don't see anything."

He laughs. "I was just kidding. I was hoping it'd make you tell me the real reason you won't have coffee with me again. Is it because of a guy? Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No. No boyfriend," I say, still confused by the tooth thing. "So, wait. There's nothing wrong with your teeth?"

"This one's crooked," he says, pointing to one I can't even see it's so far back. "Other than that, my teeth are fine."

"You're strange," I say, trying not to smile but then realizing I already am. This guy has an odd sense of humor but I like it. He's different, and I like different. I'm different too. I never feel like I fit anywhere, so I latch onto people I think do, then end up finding they aren't right for me.

"So what's the real reason?" he asks, getting serious. "You don't have a boyfriend. My teeth don't bother you. So what is it?"

I hesitate. I don't like telling people this. Actually I don't think I ever have. When people see me digging in the trash, it's obvious I'm homeless. They don't have to ask.

"I'm busy," I blurt out. "I don't have time."

"Are you in school?" he asks.

Why am I not telling him the truth? This is dumb. I need to just say it. I need to tell him I'm homeless. But I can't make myself say those words.

"I'm not in school. Just busy with other stuff."

"Do you live around here?"

"Um, kind of." I move the fritter bag closer and slide my finger over the crease in the fold that's keeping it closed. I press it down, trying to focus on anything but this conversation because it's making me uncomfortable and I really just want it to end.

"Sorry," he says. "I'm asking too many questions, aren't I? I have a tendency to do that. Maybe because I'm a lawyer."

I look up at him. "I thought you were only half a lawyer?"

He chuckles. "You're right. So I shouldn't be asking questions at all." He looks down at the table, then back up at me. "I know this may sound strange, but when I saw you last night I really wanted to get to know you."

"Why?"

"Well, for one, you said hi to me, which hardly anyone has done since I moved here. And then, I don't know, you just seemed like a nice person. Down to earth. Real."

"What makes you say that? You don't even know me."

"Yeah, but sometimes you can just tell. First impressions tell you a lot. And just looking at you...don't take this the wrong way because I'm saying this as a compliment."

I stare at him, waiting for him to continue.

"You're not all made up, like most girls. No makeup, or very little if you do have it on. Your hair is natural, not coated in product. And you dress casual. It makes you seem laid-back. Comfortable. I like that."

"So you're saying I'm ugly." I fold my arms over my chest.

"No! Not at all. Are you kidding? You're beautiful. What I'm saying, and apparently doing a horrible job of, is that you're real. You don't pretend to be someone else." He shakes his head. "Never mind. I shouldn't have said anything. Sometimes I'm really bad at explaining what I mean and this might've been my worst attempt ever. I was trying to compliment you. Tell you how much I like you and, well, think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." He glances up at me with a sheepish grin. "But I failed. It happens when I get nervous."

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