Page 57 of Every Rose

He was technically correct, but something about him hanging out with her brother and not telling her seemed wrong. “But, he’s my brother.”

“Well, I don’t tell him I’m seeing you, either. It’s easier that way.”

“I guess.”

Somehow, she still felt like something was wrong. That he should have told her.

He must have picked up on her discomfort, for he leaned up on one elbow so he was looking down at her. “You have a problem with me and your brother hanging out?”

“No. Of course not. It just feels strange that he doesn’t know about us.”

“Rose, no one knows about us, remember? You wanted it that way.”

“Right. Of course, you’re right.”

“Unless you want to start changing the rules?”

She was startled by the question. Change the rules? She looked up into his eyes and saw that he wasn’t joking. “Change the rules how?”

He shrugged. “They’re your rules. We could start by letting your brother know we’re spending some time together. Maybe take this outside once in a while.”

“Maybe we could take it all the way to your house,” she said, warming up to the idea.

He seemed less warm about the idea of her in his home. “You want to come to my place?” He sounded so horrified by the notion that she immediately nodded and said, “Yes, yes I do.” And as she said the words she realized how true they were. She was dying to see Matt’s home. To see how he lived. She was pretty sure he was a bit of a slob based on the general slovenliness of his appearance, but how bad of a slob was he? Did he have roommates? A pet of any kind? Pornographic art on the walls? Student furniture? For all she knew he’d hired a decorator and the inside of his home was a show place. She had no way of knowing since he’d never invited her over.

“How did me suggesting we let your brother know about us turn into you wanting to see inside my house?”

“I don’t know, but I like that it did.”

“Okay. You can come over.”

“Great. When? Tomorrow?” Making a date for tomorrow was advance planning in their relationship.

He shook his head. “Not tomorrow. I have to clean up first. You can come Friday. I’ll cook.”

“You cook?”

“I cook.”

“Okay, then. Friday it is.” Then she nudged him. “We’ve already changed the rules.”

“How so?”

“We’ve never planned that many days in advance before.”

“Write it in your calendar so you don’t forget.”

“I won’t forget.”

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