Page 43 of The House Guest
“Like you…” I nodded. “You’re doing so great now.”
He shrugged. “I’m hardly successful, but I’m getting there.”
Brandon had long brown hair past his shoulders and a beard. He was handsome and sort of resembled Johnny Depp’s character fromPirates of the Caribbean.
“I saw your exhibit on the faces of homelessness at the gallery in downtown L.A.,” I told him. “The people you created look so realistic. And the message was obviously profound.”
“When did you go?”
“When it first opened. I think on the second day.”
“You should’ve let me know. I would have met you there.” He paused. “Actually…are you busy tomorrow night? I’d love to hang out, talk more, if you’re around.”
Caught off guard, I waited before responding, unsure whether he was asking me out. But I shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to connect with him in any case.
“I had plans to go out with a friend to Juno Bar,” I finally answered.
“Aguyfriend or…?”
So hewasasking me out.
“A female friend. You know her. Janelle Ainsley.” I looked around. “She’s still here somewhere.”
“Ah.” He nodded. “Would you want some company, then?”
I hesitated a moment because I wasn’t a hundred-percent sure I wanted togo therewith Brandon. But ultimately, I had no reason to say no.
“That’d be great, yeah,” I said.
“Perfect.” He smiled. “I’d love to get to know you better.”
“That would be nice.”
He rubbed his hands together. “Cool.”
“We’re supposed to be meeting there around eight.”
“Eight’s great. I’ll touch base with you by text tomorrow to make sure everything is still on.”
After we exchanged numbers, I said, “I really appreciate you coming out tonight, Brandon.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it.”
Then one of my professors came by to say hello.
Brandon whispered, “See you tomorrow night,” as he excused himself and left.
The moment he was gone, Dorian’s absence returned to the forefront of my mind. As I finished talking with my teacher, I decided that if I ran into Dorian at the house later, I wouldn’t even say anything. I’d let him figure out that he’d forgotten. Or maybe he didn’t. Maybe he simply decided against coming. He probably didn’t want to lead me on any more than he already had. Either way, I had to play like it didn’t matter. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing it had hurt me.
***
The longer I could stay out of the house the better, so I asked Janelle if she wanted to stop at a bar after the event. She agreed, and then I spent most of that time out stewing in silence over Dorian’s absence this evening.
When I finally got home, it was late, and I was shocked to find Dorian sitting in the living room. He stood the moment I entered, as if he’d been waiting for me to come back.
“Hi…” I said, trying to appear casual. It was comical that I’d ever thought I could hide my feelings from him. My emotions were about to explode out of my head, so I was certain they were written all over my expression.
“I thought you’d never come home.”
