“You know, that’s when I really started noticing you too. I mean, you were always this kind of force to be reckoned with, but it wasn’t until Delia went through all that shit and you were there for her that I realized how great you really were.” He finally looks my way. “Do you remember that night you went out with Delia after she and I brokeup?”
I cover my face with my hands. “I wassodrunkthatnight.”
He peels my hands away and gives me a lopsided smirk. “I meant before that part. You were just so…free, and fun. I was there for a while before I finally approached you two, just sitting in the corner watching you dance and flirt your way around the room, hoping and praying you’d come flirt with me too.” He winces. “Then I felt like such an ass because Delia and I had just brokenup.”
“I kept calling you a douchebag the entire night and you wanted me to flirt withyou?”
“I said before you were drunk, remember?” he teases. “Anyway, that was the first time I really felt a pull toward you. It’s increased every time I’ve seen yousince.”
My heart is pounding in my chest at his words, my ears starting to thrum to thebeat.
“Everytime?”
“Every damn time. Hell, even though I live with you, it still increases daily. There’s just something pulling me closer and closer your way.” He shakes his head. “God, I sound sostupid.”
“I feel that too, Caleb.” I turn my attention to the window, my head swimming with so many thoughts. “According to Delia, it’s a good thing. She says we’re falling,” I say almostabsentmindedly.
Just then Rosco appears at the end of the table, plates inhand.
“All right, two stacks of peanut butter banana pancakes, extra whipped cream, and a sprinkle of chocolate chips. Plus a side of bacon,” he says as he deposits ourmeals.
“Oh god, it looks just as good as I remember,” I nearlymoan.
“Tastes just as good too,” Rosco promises. “You guys need anythingelse?”
“Syrup?”
He holds up a finger. “Ah ah.” Reaching into his apron, he pulls out a bottle of syrup that I know for a fact is going to be warmed and sets it on the table. “For thelady.”
I give him a thumbs-up. “We’re good to gothen.”
He throws me a wink. “I’ll be back for my tip in a bit.Enjoy.”
I grab the syrup and pour a hefty amount all over my plate, including on thebacon.
“This is either going to give me a boner or a sugar rush,” Caleb says as he begins cutting into his pancakes. “Orboth.”
I watch as he takes his first bite, his mouth closing slowly over the fork before he pulls it out clean. His eyes float closed and his body slacks in ecstasy. I would know, because I’ve been that personbefore.
“Fuuuuuck. You’ve ruined me, Zoe. Completely ruinedme.”
“It’s amazing, isn’t it? You’rewelcome.”
“It’s official: we’re retiringhere.”
We’re.
I don’t missit.
I’m certain he doesn’t mean it in the way that’s making my heart jump into my throat, but damn does the word feel good tohear.
We devour our meals in near silence, the only sounds are Caleb’s moans and our forks scraping against theplates.
As we’re pushing our empty dishes aside, Calebspeaks.
“For what it’s worth, Zoe, you rock my worldtoo.”
Nineteen