Page 24 of Into the Mountains
“No,” he mumbles.
“Then what I have is fine, because I just so happened to take a picture of the blueprints so I could make sure I planned accordingly.”
I start unpacking my bags, quickly filling his countertop with the color schemes I put together along with a few wallpaper samples in case we wanted to go that route, and finally myancient laptop that’s about one inch thick. Right on cue, Elias starts laughing.
“What is that?” he asks in between breaths.
“My computer.”
Moving closer, he starts inspecting it like he’s never seen a PC before. I’ll admit it’s an older computer, but when Dad passed away, I had to take over Mom’s medical bills and without much experience, high paying jobs weren’t exactly an option. So, I’ve been stuck with this dinosaur for way too many years. I’m honestly surprised it hasn’t died on me yet and I make sure to back up everything on my external hard drive after each use just in case it decides it’s done all of a sudden.
“That thing belongs in a museum.” He disappears into the maze of boxes that fills the living room in search of something. A groan fills the air after he stubs his toe on one of them and from the amount of pain laced in that groan, it was packed with something heavy. Good.
“You deserved that.” I don’t bother looking up from my dinosaur and start the process of turning it on. I have to make sure it has plenty of room to breathe so the computer doesn’t overheat, which it does frequently if I use it for longer than an hour. Which I do. I had to buy a specific computer tray for it to sit on with fans that plug into the USB port and run synchronized with the computer. But that uses more battery power, so I have to make sure it’s also plugged in the whole time I’m using it.
Once I’m set up and my ancient artifact is turned on, Elias has finally emerged from his adventure among the boxes.
And he’s carrying one of the most expensive laptops I’ve ever seen. It’s one that’s in the aisle at the tech store that I don’t even bother going down because I know I can’t afford them. It’s thin and sleek. It’s also gray and boring. Mine is pink, the backdecorated with stickers I’ve collected over the years. Mine at least has personality.
He sets his on the counter and simply opens it, unlocking it with his fingerprint. It’s quiet and turns on quickly. Then again, if it did make noise, I don’t think I’d even be able to hear it over the sound mine is making. Suddenly, it feels a lot louder than it usually does.
I allow myself to look at his MacBook with longing for a brief moment and wonder what all it could do and what programs I could use it to enhance the interior designs even more. Or maybe an iPad. That would be nice too. I could freehand a lot on there and draw it all out.
Elias catches me staring and heat rises to my cheeks in embarrassment. The fan from my computer tray echoes through the space and I try to focus on anything other than how loud it is. Usually, the sound of it brings me comfort. I like the white noise, but right now it just reminds me of everything that I haven’t been able to do in my life.
“I have a copy of the blueprints here.” For once, Elias didn’t take the opportunity to rag on me even a little bit. Perhaps he realized the vulnerability I let slip.
“Jacob sent them to me too. They’re loading. Did you both collaborate with them or did you design it completely?”
When Jacob first showed me the blueprints I was surprised by how spacious it all looked. I expected him to have space to work with, but the way Elias designed everything, it utilizes every single inch of it. The ceilings are higher than his space now and the concept of it is pretty open besides an indoor gated space for the shelter dogs to run around in the back.
“He gave me his ideas and the things he absolutely wanted and didn’t plan on budging on and I just implemented them.”
“Mmm.”
“What, no comment about how I didn’t actually do anything? How I just went off of what Jacob told me to do?”
Without looking up, I decide to be civil. Only this once. “No, actually. I was thinking about how difficult a job like yours must be especially if someone makes changes and how if they do, it must change the whole design. I think what you did for Jacob is really impressive.”
“Did…did you just give me a compliment?”
“I believe I did.”
I pull out my phone and start typing.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“Telling Sky we are getting along for at least two whole minutes.” He gives me a questioning look.
“She didn’t think we’d last for two seconds.”
“I assure you, I can last longer than that.”
Part of me wonders if he meant to say it or if it just snuck past the ever present filter of his. He’s usually so careful and precise with his words. And the other part of me, the more prominent part at the moment wants to watch him squirm. He started this. Challenged me. And I’m not going to be the one to back down first. Even if I do hate him. Mostly.
“I assure you, with me, you couldn’t.”
“Are you propositioning me, Charlie?”
