Page 72 of Roommate Wars
The door swung open, but I was there first.
Elise looked up in surprise. “Uh, hello?” She smiled somewhat shyly. Thinking of that kiss from this afternoon? Wondering what came next? She was about to find out.
“The date starts now.” I grabbed her purse, and then I grabbed her, picking her up with an arm behind her back, the other under her knees.
Elise squealed. “Jackson, what the hell!”
“Full-service date tonight.”
I carried her to her bedroom, and she laughed as I set her and the purse on the mattress.
She looked up, bewildered. “Are you planning on carrying me around all night?”
I took off the heel-loafer things she was wearing—a pair of designer shoes I’d gifted her, which made me chuff with pride. “Nope, just getting you in your cozy mode to optimize the date.” I gestured beside her to the folded boxers and long-sleeved T-shirt I’d pulled from my closet.
She ran her hand over the tee. “This one’s super soft.” She eyed me critically. “Were you hiding it from me?”
“You haven’t seen all my goods yet, Elise.” By the way her eyes widened, the message had been received. I pointed at a box next to the clothes. “Don’t forget that. You have exactly five minutes until the dessert arrives. Hurry up and change.”
“Dessert? I smelled food when you carried me through the apartment.”
I looked at her in mock affront. “What do you take me for? I would never forget dessert. Three, to be exact.”
She visibly jittered with excitement and ran into the bathroom. “I’ll be right out!”
I headed into the kitchen, checked my phone, and noted the final delivery person was a block away. A light rustling sounded from Elise’s room, along with athud, and I grinned. She was shameless with food, mowing anything and anyone down to get to it. I respected that. And it made me happy to make her happy.
A few minutes later, Elise walked out wearing the boxers, the long-sleeved tee, and a new pair of slippers I’d bought her.
She posed, one foot out in front of the other. “You did not just buy me these.” Her grin could light a city block.
The slippers were tan, with giant acorns on the top that flopped when she walked. Not the processed corn nuts she typically gobbled, but I’d passed one of those ridiculous sock stores, which also carried bespoke slippers, and decided they were close enough. “Do you like them?”
Her smile was so beautiful, my chest constricted. “I love them, Jackson. They’re the cutest, and they’re also soft and cozy.” She proceeded to exhibit how comfortable they were by walking around the living room and looking down every few seconds, admiring the slippers.
If this was all it took to make Elise happy, I was golden. Because I had a million and one ideas that were Elise-specific. Thinking of how to please her was my new favorite hobby. “I’m glad you like them. But I thought you said you were hungry? Should I get rid of the food?” I was goading her, and it worked.
She glanced at the dining table piled with dishes I’d ordered from four different restaurants and quickly slid into one of the dining chairs. “Don’t you dare get rid of the food!”
As if I would. She wasn’t the only person in the house with an appetite. But threatening food disposal was a surefire way to get her to focus.
She was already placing the cloth napkin across her lap when I reached for the bottle of wine. “The food is for you. And if you will allow it, I’ll have some too.”
Her eyes swept the spread lustfully, and I couldn’t help feeling jealous. “I’m verging on hangry, but I might let you have some. Are those empanadas?” She pointed across the table at a pile of crescent-looking pastries.
“Max claims they’re the best in town.” I hadn’t tried one yet, but I trusted Max’s taste.
“And sushi?” She looked up at me. “I’ve never seen you eat sushi.”
“That’s because my chef only feeds me frozen meals.” My tone was one of dry accusation.
She grinned. “I’ve gotten better lately.”
“This is true,” I agreed. “The sushi comes from one of my favorite restaurants in the Marina on Lombard.”
Elise held up two bamboo chopsticks. “You’re even prepared! Did you buy these?”
I huffed out a snort. “Those are another of Max’s contributions to the apartment. I should have asked him for an inventory before I moved back in after the fire.”
