Page 14 of Another Constant

“There I go with what? I was just about to ask what you bake?” I definitely lied because hell yeah I was completely taken aback.

“Assuming shi?—”

“Nope, I haven’t assumed anything. Yes I am shocked you know how to bake, but can you blame me? You look like…that. And you’re that. Hell yeah I’m shocked that you can bake. Now what can you bake?”

He chortled like I had cracked a joke, which I didn’t.

“What’s funny, Kinga?”

“What do I look like? What’s that?” he asked, reminding me of my statement from a few seconds ago. The very statement that had me kicking myself in the ass, because yes I was outspoken but I was also easily embarrassed when I had to recall exactly what I said.

“Kinga.” I bit into my bottom lip, feeling heat rush my cheeks. “What do you want on your nachos?”

“Everything. Now what do I look like?”

I was quiet for a moment, putting the condiments on his food, and of course he patiently waited for an answer, sending straight fire down my spine.

I finally turned around and looked at him. “You look good, and you look like you don’t consume sweets like that. It’s giving my body is a temple type.” I had to throw a joke in there because hell naw I wasn’t about to just be out here showering this man who already knew he was fine in compliments.

He laughed.

“Nah, not that at all. I just bake for…patience.” It was like he paused but still finished his statement.

“For patience, huh? Do you have anger issues?”

He nodded and so did I.

“This good, real good,” he complimented.

“Did you think it wouldn’t be?”

“I don’t know. You're fine and all, but I ain’t naïve enough to think off bat you can cook.”

I smirked, watching him dig into the food. “I’m fine and all?” I had to repeat that statement.

“Yeah, you look good, but you know that already. Now c’mon so you can keep me company while I fix your car.”

Before I knew it we were both in the garage and I was seated in my driver side seat while he had the passenger door open doing whatever down there.

“What made you get into dogs? You know, breeding them?”

“I love dogs. Always have, because one. They’re not dishonest. As a matter of fact they don’t have dishonest bones in their bodies. A dog cannot fix their mouth to lie to you, whereas humans can.” My response probably sounded crazy, but it was all I had.

He looked up at me, eyes housing questions. Not one, but a few.

“You've been lied to before?”

“Who hasn’t? I asked, showcasing the pessimism living beneath my smile. “It’s the one part of life I wish could be bypassed.”

He nodded. “I feel you.”

“I just wish people brought their full and whole selves to situations rather than showcasing parts of themselves they can’t keep up with and lying.”

“You're right, but you know lying is a part of life. Motherfuckers do it eve?—”

“You lie?”

He lifted his head, serious eyes landing directly on me. “Nah. I don’t have a reason to.”