Chapter 8 – Ted
Okay, so I might not be able to cook anything fancy, but I can handle beans on toast. That might not be the best way for me to say thank you for all that she’s doing for me, but it’s the best that I can do. It’s about all I can do though. I hope that she likes it. This is literally the only thing I ever learned to cook. My mom made this for us a couple times before school and I remembered that she always asked for them when she cooked breakfast. If I can just not burn the beans…
“Argh!” All of a sudden, a bolt of pain shoots through my side. There are some definite sore spots and road burn from the motorcycle accident, I’m definitely feeling them this morning, but at least I’m alive. More than I can say for Stix.
“Is everything okay?” Of course, Chloe catches me at my most vulnerable moment and when there is a funny smell in the kitchen. So much for my surprise. “Here, let me help.”
She takes the bowl out of my hand and indicates for me to take a seat. I huff and puff for a moment before I force my eyes upwards, and I face Chloe who is makeup free and breathtaking. Still in her pajamas with her hair all over the place, and wow… she blows me away. The reason that I can’t breathe now has nothing to do with my pain and everything to do with how beautiful she is.
“Here we go.” She turns to smile at me and my heart flutters. “I think I saved it. Shall we take a seat?”
“I wanted to make breakfast for you,” I insist. “To say thank you for letting me stay here.”
She laughs. “It’s okay, cooking has never been your thing. You tried your best and that’s what counts. I appreciate the effort. Now take a seat so I can give you some food before it gets cold.”
It’s domesticated, it feels nice having her around. It brings up a wave of emotion that I’m not expecting. I could get used to this. I can’t let myself though, I can’t stay with her and keep her safe. It’s one or the other.
As Chloe puts the plate down in front of me, our hands connect. I don’t know how it happens, but our skin brushes against one another, and electricity bolts through me. I can feel the chemistry sizzling between us. I can tell by the look in her eyes that she feels it too.
I want to say something, but I don’t know what I could say that wouldn’t make this messy.
Not good enough… criminal… not good enough. I can’t forget that.
“Does that taste okay?” she asks with the reddest cheeks ever. Oh God, she’s a mess too. “I can make more if I need to…”
“No, it’s fine.” I put a fork full in my mouth. “It’s fine.”
God, it’s awkward now. I think we both know that we should say something and clear the air. More like, I should say something. Apologize, maybe. I’m so used to fucking things up, I don’t know what to say that won’t piss her off or hurt her feelings.
“Hmm, maybe your cooking skills aren’t too bad after all.” It’s Chloe who braves speaking first, but she avoids the awkwardness. “This isn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. Maybe there is hope for you after all.”
I take the mention of hope and run with it in my mind. Does Chloe really think that I could change?
“Yeah, I probably need some lessons or something.” Now it might be my turn to blush. “I don’t think I’m quite up to hosting a dinner party or anything like that just yet.”
“No perhaps not.” Chloe laughs again and the sound helps to release some of the tension. The tight knot unravels, allowing me to breathe a little bit easier. “But you could get there. With time.”
The air remains thick, it could be sliced with a butter knife. There are so many things that I want to say.
“And hey…” Chloe continues with a teasing to her tone, seemingly not struggling half as much as I am. “You better work it out soon because I’m getting closer to twenty-five and we both know what that means.”
I stare at her in shock. Is she really talking about what I think she is?
“You know, it’s coming up to the age where we’re going to get married, do you remember? We made that silly childhood promise at the bottom of your garden, not thinking and here we are… me with no one, and you… you don’t seem to have anyone either, so I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”
“Oh no.” I force myself to laugh and roll my eyes because of course she’s making a joke about the whole thing. “That’s not fair. We made that deal when this age seemed like one hundred.”