Page 22 of So Worth More
The smell of Chinese food preceded him. He looked relaxed and happy, if a little soggy, as he made himself at home in my kitchen, setting out containers of food and checking what I wanted.
“Why are you so wet?” Handing him a towel so he could dry off his hair, and dropping his damp hoodie over the back of the armchair, I leaned against the door frame and just watched him. Dressed in dark grey sweats and a light grey t-shirt, I don’t think I’d ever seen him look so comfortable. There was no tension weighing him down.
“Walked here. Thought the rain had passed,” he shrugged. “Not a big deal.”
“Andy.” He was standing in front of me, clearly waiting for me to move.
“Hmm?”
He gestured with a hand. “Go sit. Dinner’s ready.”
I blushed, embarrassed that I’d been caught daydreaming while he was trying to feed me.
“Sorry.” I pulled the blanket off the back of the sofa and tried to drape it around him. He fixed a confused look on me.
“The heat isn’t great, it comes and goes, and I don’t want you to get sick.” Running a hand over the soft fabric, his expression twisted to something I couldn’t decipher.
Clearing his throat. “It’s lovely. Abby?”
Taken aback, “Yeah, how did you know?”
“Dunno, just had a feeling.”
Changing the subject because he was withdrawing a little, I asked, “Not that I’m complaining about a free dinner, but did we have plans?” I wondered if I’d just forgotten.
“Well, no. But I remembered today was support group day, and I know how you feel after them. You couldn’t work out, so I thought I’d bring dinner and we could watch a movie or something. Take your mind off of it.”
Something warmed in my chest at him knowing these details of my life. It was proof that he listened and understood me. “That’s sweet, thank you. A movie sounds great.” Pausing to think, “Action or comedy, though. Nothing sad.”
He laughed. “No, nothing sad. I don’t think we’ve reached that stage in our friendship yet where we can cry in front of each other.”
I laughed and teased, “No? Damn, there goes joint first place.”
He clutched at his chest. “Direct hit, I’m wounded.”
By the time the movie ended, a decidedly average superhero caper, I had my feet in Will’s lap and he was rubbing them absentmindedly. I’d finished eating a couple of hours ago and still felt too full to think of eating anything else. Will had stashed the leftovers in my fridge, having bought enough for four people.
“Come on you,” he whispered, causing me to jerk fully awake. “Let’s get you in bed.” I let him move me, help me stand, and drag me over to the bed.
“Should’ve just stayed on the couch,” I whined. “More likely to sleep there.”
Will looked concerned. “You’re not sleeping?”
“Well, a little, but not for long and it takes ages to get to sleep.” I’m sure I was pouting a little, a hint of whine still in my voice. Sleep-deprived me was a little bit of a drama queen.
“You were sleeping fine on the couch just now,” he pointed out, using logic against me.
“Only because you’re here. Will you stay with me a while?” I all but begged.
He hesitated, “Andy…”
“Please?” I shouldn’t have felt pleasure at how quickly he folded.
“Just until you fall asleep.”
He helped me to the bathroom so I could brush my teeth, running the water to cover the noises of me getting ready for bed. The apartment was so quiet I could hear every movement he made as he put his shoes next to the door and pulled back the covers for me. The rain was still coming down outside, muting the sounds of the city and enclosing us in what felt like our own bubble. A feeling of safety and warmth filled me.
“Should I shut the blinds?” he asked.
