Page 24 of Made For You
“There is nothing to say.” He sits up. “I used to play, and now I don’t.” He shrugs.
I pick my fork back up. “The weather has been amazing.” I change the subject just like he wanted to. “Was it sunny today?”
“It was.” He nods his head. “It’s going to be sunny for the next four days.”
I clap my hands in happiness. “Yes.” I smile at him. “So how long have you had this boat?”
“Two years,” he replies, and I can’t help but try to piece together his past. “Hung up my skates and then bought the boat.”
“See?” I fold my arms in front of me. “I didn’t even have to ask you why you bought the boat.”
“I see that. In case you are wondering what boat I had before.” He gets up from the bench. “I didn’t have one.”
I gasp. “Did you know how to drive the boat?” I ask, his head going to the side.
“Are you asking me a question?” He smirks at me as he picks up his empty plate. “Is there something you want to know?”
“Oh, no.” I shake my head. “Don’t you even try it. I’m just saying you shit all over me when you asked what boat I had before.” He looks down, trying to hide his smile. “You hypocrite.” I get up laughing, grabbing my plate and the salad bowl. “Don’t even.” I shake my head, turning to walk down the steps and back into the kitchen. Beatrice gets up from her bed, stretching and then coming over to me. “Did you know he was a liar, liar, pants on fire?” I squat down and hold her neck. “You were there. You heard him, right?”
“Okay, fine,” he huffs when he walks into the kitchen, two plates in one hand and the veggie tray in the other. “I could have been a bit nicer.”
“Could have been?” I shake my head. “Could have been?” I fold my arms over my chest.
“Did you even drive a boat before you bought this one?” I ask, and he puts the plates in the sink before looking at me.
The smirk transforms into a huge smile when he leans against his counter. “Two questions?” He holds up one hand with two fingers while the other hand holds on to the counter. “Is this a record?”
I grit my teeth together and glare at him. “I called you a jerkface,” I inform him, “so you don’t have to ask me that.” The sound of his laughter is everything. “Also, FYI, I’ll be calling you that again once I get back home.” I have this sudden visual of me going over to him and wrapping my hands around his waist while I lean back and he kisses me. “I should go.” I put my hand to my stomach, wondering if he put something in my food.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” he asks me and my eyebrows pinch together.
“Probably working,” I answer him.
“What time do you finish working?” he questions me, and I wonder if he’s doing this on purpose.
“Are you trying to get me to ask you why?” I put my hands on my hips.
“Are you wanting to ask me why?” he counters. Forget about me wanting to kiss him because now I’d love to throat punch him.
“No,” I lie through my teeth. “Don’t care.”
“Now that’s a lie.” He laughs. “Do you want to go out tomorrow?”
“On a date?” My palms start getting sweaty.
“No.” He shakes his head right away, and the air leaves my body. I should be happy he doesn’t want to take me on a date. How awkward would it be to go on a date with him? Imagine it didn’t work out, and we’d have to live side by side for the whole summer. “I’m asking you if you want to go out on the water.”
I can’t even contain myself when he says that. “Shut up.” I put my hands in front of my mouth. “Don’t tease me like that.”
“I’m not teasing you. I’m serious. We can go out onto the water tomorrow.”
“You aren’t joking?” I ask him again, not sure if he’s about to be like…psych.
“I’m not joking.” He chuckles. “When you finish work, come over, and we will take the boat out.”
“I can be finished by nine,” I tell him, not even bothering to tell him that I don’t have to work every day.
He laughs. “No rush. We can leave whenever.” He pushes off from the counter.