Page 34 of Too Much In Common
“I don’t want to eat one of your meals.”
“You’re not. I made way too much of it. Even with Simone and Brit stealing my meals, it will be too much.” Tian took the plate from the microwave. “Sorry, I don’t have any sides. I add my fruit and vegetables fresh when I can or buy frozen. Grab a muffin.”
Cranberry-orange, or blueberry? The question should be easy. He finally decided on the blueberry. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
“I’ve been taste-testing all day. While you eat, I’ll finish packaging the last of this.”
With a speed that astounded him, the marble counter and wood tabletop reappeared, while the sink filled with dishes. Tian transferred the smaller items to the dishwasher and filled the sink with water.
“May I help?”
“I didn’t ask you to dinner so you can wash dishes.”
“I have lots of practice. Javier cooks, I clean, and no one dies of food poisoning.”
“Sure, if you want to.”
“I’ll wash. That way you can dry and put things where you want them.”
The smile on her face grew. “You do dishes? I guess you have to be my friend now.”
“Hmm.” Chris considered making some remark about Javier, but let it pass. “That depends. Do friends get free flights?”
“I receive four friends-and-family passes each year. I gave them all to my aunt because she didn’t work for the airlines. But now that she has passed, I’ll have to find a new use for them.”
“I offer myself as tribute.” Chris handed her a ladle, misjudging her grip on the handle, it dropped back into the sink, splashing her.
“Really? You ask for plane tickets and then drench me?” Tian used the ladle to splash water down the front of his shirt. Chris reciprocated with a handful of suds. She grabbed the sink sprayer before he remembered its existence. She got one good shot in, blinding him. He shut off the water at the source rather than grab for the hose. With his other hand, he grabbed the measuring cup out of the suds-filled sink and bailed two scoops at her. Tian shrieked and grabbed his arm. She tried to reach for the water, but he easily blocked her.
“No fair.” Her laughter drowned out her protests. He looped his arm around her, and she stepped on his foot as they’d taught in the self-defense class. She exerted no force behind her move, which started him laughing. Still in his arms, she turned, her wet hair slapping his face.
“Oh.” Her hand touched his cheek where her hair hit him, and she stopped laughing when their eyes locked. He searched her eyes and lowered his gaze to her lips, then back to her eyes. Had they dilated? Slowly, he lowered his head to meet hers while adjusting his hands to rest at her waist. He didn’t want to ruin the moment by asking permission, so he gave her time to run. Tian went up on her tiptoes, bringing her face closer.
“What is going on in here?” Simone’s voice caused them both to freeze.
Tian stepped back, and Chris dropped his hands to his side as her roommate entered the kitchen. Simone’s eyes took in the damp counters and dripping cupboards, Tian, and ended in the center of his damp shirt. “I guess that is one way to clean the kitchen. I’ll leave you to it.”
Tian looked down at her wet shirt. Chris turned to the sink so he wouldn’t stare.
“I need to change. There is a stack of clean towels on the washer.” She pointed to the door hiding their small utility room as she dashed from the kitchen.
* * *
Fluffy cumulus clouds! She’d almost kissed him. In her en suite, Tian peeled off her dark green shirt and dried her face and hair. She reminded her reflection of all the reasons Chris should be off limits.
One, his name.
Two, Simone had the worst timing. Wait. Not a reason.
Three... There wasn’t a third reason.
She wanted to kiss Chris. There would be little chance of that happening tonight now that Simone had walked in on them. They would both be too conscious of a moment happening again.
Trust. Warmth. Safety.
Double cumulus clouds. Was it possible? She pulled out her blue sweater from the closet and held it to her chest. He-she-never named, Father, and then half a dozen other nameless pilots—all were more than enough reasons not to put trust in another human. And as for feeling safe? Where had that come from? Was a heart ever safe? Could it be?
She pulled the cobalt blue sweater over her head and hurried to the kitchen to clean up.
