Pretenders (Firsts and Forever 3)

“I think that was a compliment, so thank you.”

“You’d probably be happy if I threw in a green salad, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes please, with vinaigrette dressing on the side.”

As I added a salad to the cart, I said, “You and I would fight over every meal if we were really a couple. Ain’t no point in a salad unless it’s floating in ranch dressing.”

Wes chuckled and totally called me out by saying, “You added that ‘ain’t’ just to make it seem like you’re a down-home southern boy, but your choice of pizza toppings has already revealed you to be a pompous, west coast city dweller. Nice try.”

I chuckled, too. “For your information, I discovered that pizza as part of my new thing a day challenge. To be fair, it’s not great everywhere. But if I’m ordering from Uncle Vitto’s here in the Castro?” I kissed my fingertips.

Wes pulled on his pants and zipped them as he said, “I’d love to take a look at your new-thing-a-day journal—unless you think it’s too personal, in which case I’m sorry I overstepped.”

“Help yourself. It’s in the middle drawer of the nightstand. Did you ever answer my question about wanting the pizza half and half?”

“No need, I’ll try it your way.” He pulled the lavender journal from the nightstand, then sat on the upholstered chair in the corner and said, “Let me know when you get to the pay screen, and I’ll enter my credit card information.”

I clicked the “place order” icon and tossed my phone aside. “Dinner’s on me.”

“Are you sure?”

“You’re a guest in my home, so yes. I’m sure.”

“Thank you.”

I stretched out on my side and propped my head up with my hand as I watched him. He flipped to the last page in the book that had writing on it, and an embarrassed smile spread across his face. Yesterday’s list of firsts said: went to the stodgiest bar in the city; met an absolutely beautiful man named Wesley; hung out with a new friend in a magical playhouse; discovered the most wonderful new artist.

He murmured, “No one’s ever called me beautiful before.”

“Well, it’s high time.”

As his cheeks turned pink, he tried to change the subject. “Did you go to an art gallery after we left my office?”

“No, Wes. I meant you.”

“I’m not an artist. I just draw and paint because it relaxes me.”

“Whatever the reason, you absolutely are an artist, and I’m really looking forward to seeing more of your work.”

He asked, “Would you like to come to dinner later this week? You’d mentioned visiting each other’s apartments, and I could show you my sketchbooks while you’re there.”

“I’d love to. Are you free tomorrow?”

“No, I’m going to the opera with Darrah and her husband Amal.”

I teased, “That’s awfully fancy for a Tuesday night.”

“They’re performing Carmen, and it’s a limited run which sold out quickly. That’s how we ended up with a random weeknight,” he explained. “I’m free every other night this week, though.”

“I’m DJing at the club Wednesday through Friday. Are you in your office all day, every day this week?” When he nodded I was disappointed, but I tried to sound cheerful as I said, “That’s okay. We’ll have a lot of time to talk on Saturday’s flight, and I think tonight’s been a big success in terms of getting to know each other.”

“Is that…never mind.”

I asked, “What were you going to say?”

“I was just wondering if that’s all tonight’s been, research so we can give a convincing performance in front of my family.”

I shook my head. “I slept with you because I wanted to, not because I decided to go hardcore method actor for next week. And now, I’m just having a nice evening with a new friend. I’ve actually barely given the fake relationship thing a thought.”

“I’m sorry if I offended you. This is all just really new to me, and I know I have a tendency to be naïve, so I wasn’t sure if I was reading any of this correctly.”

“I’m not offended, Wes, and you don’t have to worry about what you say to me. I’m big on giving people the benefit of the doubt, instead of immediately gettin’ my panties in a bunch.”

That expression made him grin, and he said, “Okay. That’s a relief,” before returning his attention to the journal. After a minute or two of flipping to random pages, he read out loud, “Discovered a secret pirate grotto in the heart of the city.” He looked up at me and asked, “Could you show me that?”

“Absolutely. We can take a walk after dinner.” I pretended to look serious as I added, “I should ask though, how do you feel about breaking and entering?”

His eyes went wide behind his glasses, and he immediately became very formal. “Generally speaking, I’m very much opposed to it.”

I winked at him before rolling out of bed to get dressed. “Good thing I’m kidding.”