Page 11 of Size Doesn't Matter

“You’re back,” they said.

“Yes, I am back, and I want to retract my application.”

They cocked their head to the side, taking another sip of tea. “Are you sure?”

“I am. I don’t know if it’s the right decision, but I’m willing to take that risk.”

“Very well. I’ll set your application aside in case you change your mind again later but, for what it’s worth, I don’t think you will regret this at all.”

“What do you – oh, never mind.” I wanted to ask more questions, but I held my tongue. I had somewhere to be and if I didn’t leave right now, I wouldn’t have time to stop by there before work.

The Librarian was right; falling in love was not something I would regret.

9

NICO

Iwas awoken from a deep sleep by a knock at my apartment door. It jolted me awake and I rubbed my eyes, checking the time on my phone.

“Oh, shit, I need to get up and get ready for work.”

I rubbed my eyes, forgetting what it was that woke me up, and got out of bed to go make some coffee. Standing in the kitchen buck naked, I heard it again:

Thump, thump, thump.

It sounded like someone was trying to break down the door, but I doubted that was the case. If they wanted to break in, they would have done it already.

“Leave it at the door,” I called out, assuming it was a delivery or something.

It was a little early to have a package dropped off, but I didn’t tell people how to do their jobs. I also wasn’t expecting anything, but it could have been a gift. I didn’t care as long as they left me alone to drink my coffee and get dressed.

“Nico, open up! It’s me, Cyrus.”

I dropped my bag of coffee beans on the floor and they spilled out, causing me to trip and nearly fall as I scurried to the door. I flung it open, half-expecting this to be a cruel prank, but Cyrus stood in front of me as tall and orcish as ever.

“Good God, put some clothes on.” He shielded his eyes, but I laughed and stayed where I was.

“Why? We already saw each other naked once. Does it matter anymore?”

“It matters when it’s 8 in the morning, my dear fellow. I didn’t expect to see a nude man before I began work for the day.

“And I didn’t expect to see an orc waiting for me at the door. I thought you ended things pretty officially last night when you told me we wouldn’t see each other again.”

“I did.”

“Then what changed?”

“I know you want me to say that I changed, but I didn’t really. I just thought about it more and realized that I would like to spend more time with you after all. So, what do you say to a second date tonight?”

“This sounds too good to be true,” I said slowly, narrowing my eyes. “Are you sure you didn’t get replaced by a different, more adventurous orc?”

Cyrus rolled his eyes. “Do you want to date me or not?”

“Yes, of course,” I said quickly. “So, second date tonight – where at?”

“My house again. I have something to show you.”

“I hope it’s what I think it is, but even if it’s not, I’ll be there with open arms – and some other open parts, if you know what I mean.”

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