Page 34 of The Fake
Unlike the eager guy I’ve gotten used to, he doesn’t seem very excited about my plan. And then it hits me. Of course, he doesn’t want to spend money on takeout when he can get a free meal at his place.
“My treat for…” I gesture in front of us. “Well, everything. I owe you.”
Laughing, he shakes his head. “I’m good, holding out for enchiladas. I’ve got a granola bar in my backpack if I get desperate.”
He goes back to studying my notes and I order takeout—three times as much as I would for just myself. It arrives just as we’re finishing up the outline. I grab two plates, setting one in front of him even as he says, “I’m good, seriously. I’ll eat later.”
“Have you had Lotus House?”
He shakes his head.
“Oh, my God, you have to at least try it.” I hold out my fork full of Chow Mein and one side of his mouth pulls up in an amused grin before he opens wide and leans forward.
I wait while he chews and nods his head.
“Amazing, right?”
“Really good.”
I hand him the container of food, and he takes it from me with a shy smile but then shovels in two more big bites. I wave him off when he tries to hand it back and grab for the sesame beef.
Sydney pops her head out of our room. “Did I hear something about a movie?”
“Yeah, you wanna watch something with us?”
She rushes into the room and takes a seat on the couch. “Can we watchNew Girl? We just started season two.”
It stings a bit to know they have another thing together that I’ve been missing out on.
“Yeah,New Girlsounds great. I haven’t seen it. You?” I look to Nathan.
“Saw a few episodes but never from beginning to end. Sunday night used to be movie night at the house. I miss it.”
I’m having a hard time picturing him and his roommates all sitting around watching a movie together. I’ve seen their theater room, but still.
Sydney knocks on the wall behind the couch in what I can only assume is some sort of bat signal for Bri to come out because not five seconds later, she pops out. Her footsteps slow as she glances around the room. Nathan nudges my elbow with his.
“Wanna watch with us?” I ask, fully prepared for her to say no or maybe even kick me out.
“I don’t want to interrupt date night.”
“It’s fine,” I say at the same time Nathan says, “As long as you’re cool with me feeling up my girl during the show.”
My mouth falls open, and I expect Bri to scoff and go back to her room. Instead, she laughs. Likelaughslaughs. I didn’t know she was capable of making the sound. She takes a seat on the couch. I give Nathan, aka Mr. Miracle Worker, a playful slap.
“I’m kidding,” he says, grabbing the remote from the TV stand. “What episode are we on? Season two, episode one?”
Sydney tucks her feet under her on the couch. “Season two, episode three. Emily is on her way.”
Our door flies open as if it were scripted. “I’m here,” Emily says, out of breath. “Season two, episode three,” she repeats. “Jess tried dating two guys at once and met the hot doctor. Except we don’t know he’s a doctor yet. Sorry, Sydney.” She collapses on the couch between Bri and Sydney.
Standing, I place an unopened carton of food on the coffee table. “General Tsao’s chicken?”
Emily dives for it. “Thanks, Chloe. Hey, Nathan.”
He waves to her, and I give Nathan an OMG, we’re hanging out and no one forced them look. He moves to my chair and pulls me onto his lap. It’s big enough that we’d just about fit side by side, but I’m more on his lap than not. I turn to face him and mouth, “Thank you.”
He responds by leaning forward and kissing me lightly on the lips.
