to pursue me…or ignore me. As I made my simple meal of
pasta with olive oil and garlic and a tossed salad, I kept
sight of the note and the flowers, and by the time I'd eaten
sight of the note and the flowers, and by the time I'd eaten
and cleared away the dishes, there seemed only one real
choice of action.
I knocked on his door ten minutes later. I'd brushed my
hair and slid gloss along my lips, had changed from my
work clothes into a pair of jeans and a cute T-shirt with a
fitted sweatshirt. I'd brushed my teeth, too, just in case.
When he opened the door I didn't want the first thing he
noticed to be a wave of garlic breath.
'Paige!' He sounded pleased and only a little
apprehensive. 'Hi.'
'I came to thank you for the flowers,' I said without
making a move toward the door.
I hadn't yet decided where I wanted this to go, but I was
sure I knew how I wanted it to happen. I didn't want this
to be forced by an unseen hand. I didn't want to wonder if
I was competing against myself.
'You're welcome. I hope you liked them.'
'They were beautiful. Nobody's ever given me roses
before,' I said, and Eric looked surprised.
before,' I said, and Eric looked surprised.
'You're kidding.'
I shook my head. 'Nope.'
'Wel, that's just not right.' He laughed a little and stepped aside, subtly, without making it seem as though he was
inviting me in.
I'd learned the benefits of silence, but I also knew when it
was time to speak. 'Can I come in?'
I saw his hesitation, as subtle as the not-invitation had
been, but then he stepped farther aside with a smile.
'Sure.'
He brought me a glass of iced tea and we sat on his couch
facing each other from either side. I could've stretched out
my arm and stil not been able to touch him. He'd brought
a glass of tea for himself, but he set it on the coffee table
and didn't drink it while I sipped without quite tasting.
'About the other night,' I said. 'I just wanted to tel you, Eric…you don't have to apologize.'
'No, I was out of line,' he began, but I cut him off with a
'No, I was out of line,' he began, but I cut him off with a raised hand.
'No. It was fine. I was surprised, that's al.' I sipped tea and then put my glass down, too. It settled onto the table
with a clink.
'Paige,' Eric said softly. 'I was surprised, too.'
I believed him, though it meant I was no longer on solid
ground. I studied my hands, clasped loosely in my lap,
before I looked at him. Tension bloomed between us and I
wanted to lean toward it, and him, but I held myself stil so
as not to give myself away.
