Page 75 of Yours, Unexpectedly

If he wants to stay together.

I’m honestly more confused now that we’re together than I was when we were just friends with benefits.

The apartment door opens, scaring the shit out of me. My phone goes flying across the room, and I’m too tangled in blankets and heating pads to get up and get it.

“Looking at porn?” Anders asks, walking into the apartment like he lives here, two full grocery bags on either arm.

“So what if I was?” I ask, angling my body to get a closer look at what he brought. “You don’t happen to have any ice cream in there, do you?”

He pulls a carton out with a flourish. “Pistachio Pistachio, your favorite.”

My gasp is audible. “Eep! How did you know?”

“I might have texted Jules. He seemed the most likely to know how to comfort you.”

“That would be an astute assessment, Mr. Olsson. Thank you for bringing this—you really didn’t have to come over,” I say in an attempt to continue the laid-back act I started via text.

He grabs the ice cream and a spoon, walking around the couch and stopping to pick up my phone. My heart falls when I realize what he’ll see on the screen.

“No! Wait, don’t lo—” But it’s too late.

Anders is the picture of male smugness, smirk on his lips and one eyebrow raised.

“Researching jobs in the city, are we?” he teases.

“I’m just… keeping my options open. In case we—” Fuck, how do I get out of this? “I mean I’ve always wanted to live in the city. And it’s, uh, completely coincidental that you are from there. I wasn’t even sure if you’d head back after graduation, so it really has nothing to do with you.”

He just nods along with my ramblings, a shit eating grin creeping up his cheeks.

“So if I told you that I wasn’t planning on going back to New York, you’d still want to go?” he asks, his tone dripping in challenge.

“Of—of course,” I stutter. “I love New York. The big apple, you know? I have tons of those ‘I Heart NY’ shirts. Huge Rangers fan too.”

“Right, of course. So, I bet you’re pretty excited about the season they’ve had so far. Probably headed to the playoffs. We should turn on the game.”

My eyes narrow at him. “Yes, the game. I was watching earlier actually. They were playing the…” I trail off, waiting for him to finish my sentence, but he just raises his eyebrows instead. “The Pittsburgh…” He doesn’t stop me. “P… p…” Why can’t I think of any “P” words?

“I believe you are thinking of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Baby Bardot.” His eyes are crinkled in amusement.

“Duh, the Penguins. That’s what I was going to say if you’d have let me finish.” I grab the ice cream out of his hands and dig in. “S’urnot goging tonework?” I ask, mouth full of delicious pistachio goodness.

“If I’m interpreting that question correctly, I actually am hoping to return to the city after graduation.” He winks at me. “I really just wanted to see how you covered up wanting to come with me.”

I’m tempted to throw my spoon at him, but then I wouldn’t be able to eat more ice cream. Shockingly, ice cream wins out. I watch as Anders reaches over me and grabs the remote, swiftly turning on a hockey game. Lo and behold, the Rangers are not playing the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight. “You tricked me!” I screech.

“It was too entertaining, I couldn’t let you stop. What would be the fun in that?” He watches me for a moment, dopey smile on his face. “I know you aren’t feeling well, so I’ll take your lead here, but I did bring some more of the cheesiest mac and cheese I could find, some Tylenol, electrolyte water, and I already put more ice cream in your freezer. Can I get you anything else?”

“Are you sure you didn’t grow up with a sister? Maybe a close girl cousin?”

“I don’t have to have grown up with a girl to be sensitive to your needs or cognisant of the fact that I have no experience with what your body is going through. I trust you to tell me what I need to know and how I can be here for you.”

“Remind me why you’re friends with Gabe, again?”

He tips his head back in a laugh and I can’t help but stare at his bobbing Adam's apple. Why is that so sexy on him? I have literally never cared about someone’s Adam’s apple before.

“Gabe can be a good guy when he wants to be,” he replies.

I roll my eyes but take a few more bites of ice cream, pretending to watch the hockey game.

---