Page 116 of Dex

“Thank you.”I start to plate up my food.He doesn’t move, and instead looks at me, like he’s waiting for something.“Are you going out or ordering takeout?”

“Wasn’t planning to.I was going to eat in tonight, seeing that it’s our first day back.”

My heart lights up like a lamp.Why does this simple little thing make me so happy?“I made some for you, in case you wanted it.”

“You made some for me?”He looks shocked, like this is a big thing.Someone making him dinner.Piecing together these little insights into Dexter’s life make my heart ache.

“It’s easier to cook for two.I just had to buy an extra steak.Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll plate your food, too.”

“You don’t have to do that.”He cocks his head, looks at me as if I’ve slaved over the stove for six hours making a five-course meal.

“I made extra, Dexter, and I’m glad you’re hungry, and brave enough to try it.”

“It looks and smells out of this world.Thank you.”

“It’s my world.I hope you like it.”

We sit across the table, steam rolling off the plates.This is nice and familiar.Homey.Something I could get used to.He picks up his fork and takes a bite, then chews, and pauses.His brows lift a little as he savors the food.I wait with bated breath.Desperate for a good reaction.

“Well?”

He swallows, nods, sets his fork down and fixes me with a serious look.“This is a typical Brazilian dish?”

He doesn’t like it.“A simple one, but yes.”

He leans back in his chair, nodding slowly, before taking up his fork again.“I have no idea why you ever left.”

“You like it?”I ask, sounding like he did when he wanted my reaction on the green room.

He takes another bite, chewing with a thoughtful expression.“I’m not saying I’d fire my private chef over it, but … yeah.It’s good.Comforting.”

I mock gasp.“Good?Comforting?”I hold a hand to my chest.“Such high praise.I’m honored.”

He grins.“Don’t get used to it, amor.At least it’s edible.”

He called me amor.He’s also playing the part, I remind myself.Then, “Edible?”I cry.He seems to really like it, because he’s wolfing it down, and that makes me happy.

“Don’t be so dramatic,” he says, before stealing a bite from my plate.

***

By the end of the week, Dexter and I have fallen into some sort of routine.He’s been out the last few evenings, and that made me sad.I didn’t question where he went but I didn’t like being left alone.

Being with this man is like a roller-coaster ride, and I’ve resigned myself to the fate of just going along with it.Taking the highs and the lows, while somehow trying to be emotionally detached.

When Cari texted me asking me to come to The Living Room, the café where she’s opened her little flower shop, I jumped at the chance.

She greets me warmly as soon as she sees me.Too warmly, given that most of our interactions have been formal so far.

“I’m so glad you came,” she says, ushering me over to a table.“I’m mostly at Jett’s apartment now, and I know we’re both in the same apartment block, but I thought it would be nice to catch up, just the two of us.”

“I prefer this,” I tell her, looking around.“This is a lovely place.”

“Thank you.”

I immediately fall in love with this place.It’s filled with bookshelves, and has a quiet and cozy ambiance.People around me are sitting and reading, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee fills the air.We sit at a table, drinking coffee and eating pastries and every so often Cari gets up and serves a customer.

“How long have you had it?”I ask her.

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