Page 33 of Rough and Rugged
“My treat. Tacos all right?”
“Tacos sound heavenly.” She smiles down at the phone and then focuses back on driving.
We make small talk until she reaches her house on the outskirts of town. It’s small and as she says, the perfect size for a broke doctoral candidate that’s only home to sleep or study.
“Why don’t you get comfortable while you wait for the food? You can call me back if you want to.”
The camera flashes white, then black as she moves from the bright outdoor light into the dimness of her house. “It’s all right.” When the camera adjusts, I can clearly see the blush staining her cheeks.
Her eyes dart down at her phone and away.
“What?” I try to make the question sound playful and teasing, but I also want to make sure she’s still on board with this.
“I don’t want to hang up on you.”
Chapter Five
Alex
IthinkI’vemadeNoah speechless. He gapes at the camera before a huge smile spreads across his face. “Food should be there in about fifteen minutes.”
My keys land on my kitchen table, and I slouch off my heavy backpack. It falls to the floor with a clunk. I carry my phone with me to my bedroom and lay it flat on the dresser so it’s facing the ceiling. Noah chatters away while I change into my pajamas and throw my hair up into a messy bun.
The doorbell rings, and I grab Noah, bringing him with me while I retrieve the food he ordered. “Thank you for this.” I hold the bag up where he can see it. “But I think you ordered enough for two.”
“Leftovers are always good, and I wanted to make sure there was something you’d like.”
How did I stumble upon this incredibly sweet and caring man?
And hot. He’s incredibly hot. Meeting him yesterday revealed just how much the attraction that’s been simmering between us isn’t something I made up in my head. “I wish you were here.”
“Me too.” He sounds so sincere, and I swoon a little. “What movie are we watching?”
“Promise not to laugh?” I crack open the first of the three containers in the bag revealing a pair of chicken tacos.
“I swear.” He crosses his heart.
“Pretty Woman. It’s one of my favorites.”
He grins and looks away from the camera while he cues it up on his TV.
The siren song of tacos is too much to resist, and I bite into the first one. “Dear God, this is good,” I moan around a mouthful of food. “Where’d you get this from?”
Noah coughs and covers his mouth. “It’s a place by campus. I’ll send you the name.”
The party invite comes through on my TV, and I accept, crunching through another taco while the opening credits cue up. On my phone screen, I see Noah lift a beer bottle to his full lips. I watch him drink it with unabashed fascination.
While the movie plays, we make little comments to each other, and even though we’re so far apart, it still feels like a piece of him is here with me. When it’s over, I’m yawning and ready for bed but still not ready to let Noah go.
“No offense, but you look about done in.”
“I am.” The lead-up to a new school year is always full of huge to-do lists and pointless meetings. Case in point: this afternoon’s three-hour curriculum development meeting where no curriculum was developed.
“I’ll call you in the next day or so. Maybe we can figure out another in-person date?” I love how eager Noah seems to be to spend more time with me.
“This might sound strange,” I say, leading up to what I really want to ask him. “But would you be willing to keep talking for a while?”
“As long as you go lie down. And don’t feel bad if you fall asleep on me.” His expression is indulgent.