Page 25 of A Me and Him Thing
Me.
I feel like the most important woman in the world.
His face breaks out in a smile. When he reaches my table, he offers his hand and helps me stand, something I’ve been doing by myself my whole life. I don’t want to do it on my own ever again.
“Shall we?” he asks.
And I thinkoh yes, we shall. Be friends, I mean.
Ren leads me to a nook just off the kitchen, and we sit at a dining set that’s nicer than my dining table at home. A break area of sorts, I assume.
The small plates ofamazingstart to arrive almost right away. The chef leaves us alone to make our judgments without him breathing down our necks. First, we have roasted pork tenderloin artfully surrounded by sliced carrots and brussels sprouts. Then Bolognese stuffed bell peppers. Next we enjoy steak bundles filled with grilled asparagus. The servings are small, but they’re so delicious, I eat every morsel. There’s still more to come. I’m not sure I can eat another bite.
When the next plate arrives, I stare at the bacon-wrapped seared salmon sitting in front of me. Underneath it sits a colorful array of stir-fried vegetables in some sort of aromatic sauce. Carefully placed on top is a small handful of greens, making a tower of yum. The presentation alone is amazing.
“This is a work of art. I feel guilty ruining it, but I want to eat it.”
Ren smiles, then receives his sixth text of the night. He practically jumps when each one arrives and hurries to check his messages.
I’m feeling concerned. “Is there some sort of fire you’re putting out?”
He’s at work right now, so I assume there’s an issue at home. He puts his phone away and concentrates on me. “Sorry. Nothing to worry about.”
Okay. Whatever it is, he doesn’t want to talk about it.
“What do you think? Which one was your favorite?” Ren asks.
“All of them. How do you choose?”
“It’s not easy.”
“I can’t believe you get to do this week after week. It’s a sin to say you’re working right now.”
He flashes me a wicked grin. “Life’s rough.”
We smile at each other, but my smile fades as I look down at the table. This is the fourth time I’ve seen Ren, and we’ll see each other again on Saturday. It feels a lot like a dating whirlwind. I promised myself I wouldn’t do this.
The thing is, he doesn’t attempt to move our relationship into the physical realm. I suppose that’s the clue that tells me he means what he says. Perhaps it’s why I feel so comfortable around him.
I hadn’t thought of it that way until now.
My rebound emotions make me want to pull him inside a dark closet and kiss him like crazy. Other moments, I’m reminded that I hardly know him.
“Bree, there’s something I’d like to say to you,” Ren begins.
Whoa. I sit back in my chair, my thoughts abruptly turning to the present moment. “When a discussion starts with that kind of intro, it’s never good.” I fold my arms across my chest. I’m sure it comes off as a defensive move.
It is.
Ren holds up his hands. “It’s not what you think.”
“Hey, I know we’re just friends. There’s no need to explain yourself.” I also know the possibility for more is hanging in the air around us. It’s simply on the back burner for now. I know he’s keeping it that way for me, out of respect for what I’ve been through recently.
He splays his hands. “What if I need to tell you that I’m really a clown in the circus, and this is just my night job?”
After two beats of silence, I lose my cool, lower my head, and laugh a little uncontrollably. Very unlike me. Every now and again, I have a hard time being serious with him.
“I hate clowns. They’re creepy as heck. If that’s true, our friendship is over.” Of course, he was kidding. “What did you want to say to me?” It can’t be what I assumed since he’s goofing around.
