Page 30 of With This Lie

Lucas

I hearfootsteps behind me and turn to look over my shoulder. Her blonde locks bouncing are unmistakable so I shift my body to watch her walk to me. I smile at her and she smiles back. She’s just a few paces away now but I can see the warmth in her eyes, the excitement in her walk.

“Hey there,” I say.

“Hey you, been waiting long?” she asks.

“Just a couple of minutes, no big deal.” She’s right in front of me now and I lean down to kiss her a proper hello.

“So, what are we having?” she asks, opening the door to let us in.

This is the part I’m most excited about. “Well, I hope you don’t mind if I commandeer your kitchen?”

“No, not at all. Wait, does that mean you’re cooking?” she asks, and I can hear the shock in her voice.

“Yes, ma’am, I am,” I say.

“Wow. Okay,” she says.

“What? Do I not look the type?” I ask, feigning offense.

“No, no it’s not that. It’s just, I’ve never actually had anyone cook for me. Not since I was a kid anyway,” she says.

“Wait, what? How is that possible?” I ask.

“Well, I’ve never really been in an actual relationship, obviously. And the men I have seen, well I wouldn’t exactly say showering me with attention was their objective,” she says.

I read between the lines, knowing what she means. She means they were selfish, that they used her. She means she was nothing more than an object to them. I hated that for her. I snapped my rubber band so hard against my wrist I almost winced.

“Oh,” I say.

“What?’ she asks.

“Nothing, it’s nothing. It’s just, you deserved more from them, Dani. That’s all,” I say.

We make our way into her apartment and I sit the bags I have in my arms down on the counter. She sits her stuff down and turns to me.

“Thank you for saying that,” she says.

And in the way she is thanking me, I realize no one’s probably ever told her that either. I nod and smile. “Of course,” I say.

She shifts on her feet a bit.

“Why don’t you go get comfortable? You seem like you’ve had a long day,” I say.

“That sounds like a good idea, but shouldn’t I help you?” she asks.

“Absolutely not,” I say. “I’m a big boy. I’m sure I can find what I need, and I brought everything else with me.”

“Well, if you’re not going to let me help, do you mind if I soak myself in a bath for a few minutes?” she asks.

“I think that’s a great idea,” I say. “I’ll bring you a glass of wine.”

She tilts her head at me and blinks a few times, seemingly surprised by my willingness to let her soothe herself. She turns toward the hall and I do what I love to do: watch her walk away. I start taking items out of the bags and organizing my little cooking space. Even though I don’t cook for myself all that often, I actually do love cooking. I haven’t cooked for anyone else in a long time, but I’m feeling confident. I hear her turn on the water and I search for a wine glass. After I find one in the cupboard, I poor a generous amount and make my way to the bathroom door and knock.

“Who is it?” she asks, teasing.

“A ruggedly handsome man looking to get you a little tipsy,” I say.

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