Page 73 of Gym Bros
“Water,” I tell him.
He nods toward the fluffy gray sofa, and I head over to it. I look around at the open space with its large windows and high ceilings. It’s a townhouse, so there’s a staircase, which leads to a lofted area above, which must be huge. The foyer is to my right and there’s a hallway to my left. The walls are a warm white decorated with black and white photographs of flowers and sculptures.
The large, flat-screen TV hangs between built-in shelves covered with books and various other items from a Carnevalmask to a small stuffed koala bear. Near one of the windows is a gray velvet chaise that makes me sad to look at.
I bet he looks amazing naked on it, but it’s starting to feel like I’ll never know.
He joins me with the cat close behind him. He has a glass of white wine in one hand and a glass of water for me.
Once again, I’m not sure how to feel about the fact that he needs to have a drink to deal with me—at two in the afternoon—but I don’t say anything about it.
He tucks himself into the couch on his side with his knees drawn up. He’s facing me from maybe a foot and a half away. Siva jumps up and sits between us, snuggling against him.
“So I can see how calling you cute would have sounded patronizing.”
“We’re circling back to that?”
“It was a good date,” he says like he’s commenting on the weather.
“What was good about it?”
“My first carousel ride?”
“Glad you enjoyed it,” I say flatly.
“I really did,” he says, more sincerely. “I’m not used to…well, no one’s ever bought me a hot cocoa before.”
I think about this and feel some triumph at that admission. Although, I don’t think he’s trying to give me a win with that comment. “Is that some reference to the fact that I’m young?”
“It’s not—I mean you are young. But it’s more like Ifeelold. And I felt a little less old today. It was fun.”
“I’m guessing you’re used to being wined and dined or whatever,” I say.
He sips his wine and watches his hand run over his cat’s gorgeous fur. “Something like that.”
“And that’s what you prefer?”
“I never really thought about it,” he says.
“Why’d you change your mind about today? Was it just peer pressure? Are you trying let me down easy?”
He meets my eyes, lips pressed together. Finally, after much consideration, he says, “No, I… You surprised me last night.”
“In a good way?” I ask, wondering how many rounds he’s going to let me win before he knocks me on my ass.
“I haven’t decided yet.”
I run my damp palms down my pants legs and sigh heavily. “Maybe we should stick with yoga.”
“I know I’m gonna regret this,” he says, leaning to set his half-finished wine on the coffee table. “Can we try one of those kisses again?”
“Wow, you really know how to seduce a guy.”
He moves his cat aside and scoots closer to me anyway. “Admittedly, I rely heavily on my looks, not my personality.”
“Your looks are a good place to start.”
“You’re not gonna get into my pants talking like that,” he says.
