Page 6 of Finding Tane
The next day I was tidying the cereal shelves when I saw Tane walk into the store again. I’d seen him purchase two boxes of cereal and a whole lot of junk food the day before.
I didn’t know who this guy was, or what had brought him to our little down for an undetermined amount of time, but I was damned if I’d let him walk out with nothing but simple carbohydrates and high-fructose cornstarch again.
I walked briskly to intercept him. He looked up at me, startled. His brown eyes caused something to catch in my chest. His eyelashes were so long and his eyebrows perfectly sculpted. I didn’t even know I cared about eyebrows but his? They were perfection.
“Might I interest you in our store-packed meals for one?” I said, as smoothly as I could.
Tane’s perfect eyebrows shot up. “Uh, your what now?”
“I couldn’t help but notice yesterday, your choices were somewhat unhealthy.” I took him gently by the elbow anddirected him to the refrigerated shelves by the back wall, where we stocked salads, roast meals ready to reheat, filled rolls and charcuterie board packs.
Tane didn’t resist being guided. He made a sort of amused grunt and breathed out when he saw the spread before him.
“You noticed what I bought?”
“Well, yes.” I realized, too late, that it might come across as strange and vaguely stalker-like. “I just... pay attention to stock here, it's my job. I don’t want you to get sick from only eating snacks and stuff, maybe consider something... more real?”
“More real,” Tane echoed. He was definitely laughing at me now. “I came here from L.A. I’d have to go to a Wholefoods and pay twenty bucks for a salad to get something real there. Or Nobu for the most expensive sushi this side of Japan.”
I relaxed, glad he was amused and not entirely alienated. “We don’t have prices like that here,” I said.
“I’m sure you don’t.”
“So, you’ll try something with a fresh vegetable in it?”
“Now you sound like one of my aunties,” Tane laughed.
He tugged away from me and I was shocked to realize I’d been holding his elbow this entire time. How had I just kept hold of him? That was weird. I was being so weird.
I stepped back a little. “The turkey roll is particularly good. These are all made for us by a local, they supply them fresh every morning.”
Tane picked up a turkey roll and a salad, plus a little cheese and cracker pack. “Thanks for the suggestion, I appreciate it. I guess I’m not really used to taking care of myself...” he trailed off.
But dang if that didn’t pique my interest. I knew better than to pry though. But I’d already insinuated myself into his day. Why had I done that? Why was I acting so familiar with him? It wasn’t like me.
I mean I was used to small town life, you kinda ended up knowing everything about everyone who lived in Foggy Basin, but with strangers? I usually kept a considered, professional distance.
But something about Tane...
“You know we also have lots of great produce and stuff, if you want to cook from scratch?” I couldn’t help myself. I was compulsive. I wanted this man to eat well and look after himself, and I didn’t know why except it had something to do with his eyebrows.
“Oh uh, yeah I saw that,” Rane said. “I don’t really... It's been a long time since I cooked anything for myself. I think I’ve forgotten how.”
A terrible impulse reared up inside me. I knew it was a mistake but I couldn’t help it. Before I could run away, I blurted, “I’ll cook for you if you like? How about you come to my place for dinner?”
My face immediately burned red and I opened my mouth to take it back.
Tane’s eyebrows quirked up. “For real?”
I nodded. “Yeah it’s... you know. Small town hospitality.”
Tane sucked on his lower lip, apparently considering, then he smiled and shook his head. “Nah, it’s okay. Thanks though, it’s really nice of you to offer but I’ll be fine.”
I swallowed down an unreasonable amount of disappointment. “Okay well, if you change your mind you know where to find me.”
Tane nodded and headed off down the aisle, no doubt entirely freaked out by the random offer of a home cooked meal by a guy he’d known for all of three minutes.
Running my hands through my hair, I berated myself for acting so weird. I couldn’t even blame it on my Autism, I wassimply acting strangely. Something about Tane had me off-footed. I wanted to look after him? Weird urge.
