Page 26 of Show Me How
“Are you sure? Is that something you do?”
I bark a laugh. “Have dinner with a friend? I tend to from time to time.”
“Then yes, I’d like to have dinner with you, Shade.”
I should have spentsome time cleaning earlier.
It’s been years since I’ve had a woman in my space like this, and even then, I didn’t have half the shit I do now. The two-bedroom apartment above my studio was a blessing when I bought the place, but over the years, I’ve outgrown it. I’m too old for the whole bachelor pad thing, and now I’m struggling with the prospect of ditching it and finding a real place to live. Somewhere with a space to have friends over and a shower that I don’t have to duck to get into every day.
“So, this is where you live?” Millie asks, taking a seat on the couch beside me.
“It’s usually more organized than this.”
“You don’t have to lie. I think it’s nice. Lived-in and cozy.”
“You mean small and messy, but I’ll take the compliment.”
I’ve already ordered from Maggie’s today, but when Millie wasn’t picky about what we had tonight, I figured it was a safe bet. The weight rack in my living room is there for a reason.
I start pulling our food out of the brown bag it came in and pop the top of her container before sliding it over. The chicken strips she asked for smell up my entire apartment, and for some goddamn reason, I like that.
She scoots to the edge of the couch and reaches for a fry, her smile infectious. “Thank you for dinner.”
“Anytime, princess. All I ask in return is that you keep smiling like that.”
“You’re helpless.”
“I’ve been called worse,” I joke before digging into my burger.
“Is this your usual order, or was it something different earlier?”
I almost choke on the beef in my throat. Swallowing, I look at her. “How do you know I ordered from Maggie’s already today?”
“I was there with the girl I met. You were just picking up your food, but I did see you.”
“Well, there goes my hope of you thinking of me as this big, beefy Hulk man.”
She cracks up, using the back of her hand to cover her mouth. “I never once thought of you as that.”
“Do tell what you did think, then,” I encourage, keeping my voice low, intimate.
“Didn’t you already warn me about your big head?”
I jostle her knee with mine. “Want to hear what I think about you instead?”
“Kind of, but I’m a little scared.”
“I’ll be gentle, princess,” I purr.
Her throat pulls tightly. “Go for it.”
“I think you’re far too beautiful to be so sad.”
A long, heavy pause. “What makes you think that I’m sad?”
“People don’t run from lives they’re happy with. None that I’ve met, at least. Your eyes give you away, Millie.”
“Is that why you invited me to dinner?” The doubt in her voice cuts at me.
