Piper looks anywhere but at my face. You might think this wasn’t her idea at all the way she avoids making eye contact. It’s a paradox how brave she was asking me to marry her and now eight days later she can’t even look at me.
“I’m going to have to call my parents. Not right this second but soon. They’re in Arizona right now.” I wonder if she’ll invite them to the wedding but don’t press my suddenly skittish bride.
“Me too. Mine live in London, maybe we could Skype them?”
“Sure. Because that’s not weird at all.” She quips and I’m pretty sure this isn’t the same person who barralled into my office a week ago.
“Sorry, it’s just that I hardly get to see them so we try to do video chats as often
as possible. I have a camera set up in my home office because we usually speak two or three times a week.”
“Oh, wow. Mine are touring the Grand Canyon in their RV. We’ll probably have crappy cell service when we call them.” I can’t say I’m sorry either if the phone cuts out. I’ve had a renewed energy hopeful I’ll get to stay in America and I sometimes forget that Piper has a whole other life I know nothing about.
“Alright let’s go to my place.” I drag her toward my car getting her inside. Rarely do I take women anywhere near my house but since Piper will need to be moving in it seems silly to wait. I’m nervous wondering if she’ll like it. I’ve owned it for a while since living at the hospital was frowned on after my first month working here. The drive over is quiet. I concentrate on the road and force myself to follow the speed limit exactly keeping myself in check.
It’s not until I park my car in a small space between the brownstones that Piper looks around. She hums to herself and I let her inside shutting the door behind us. She’s actually here in my house and theres a tight thumping in the center of my chest seeing her walk around and take it in. I’m proud of what I’ve earned and now I’ll have someone to share it with–even if it’s only temporary. I push the thought down along with the sharp burn in my gut that someday she might leave me.
“Wow you have a really nice place.” Piper leaves her purse on the counter and I walk her around letting my hand fall into the small of her back as if she’s mine. She will be mine, just not yet I remind myself.
“Let me give you a tour.” I guide her through my home.
“You live here alone?”
“I have, yes it has three bedrooms and two full bathrooms and a powder room.”
“No rush to fill those up?”
I chuckle. “Not until recently anyway.” We walk past the foyer. “This is the kitchen obviously, dining room, living room. Down the hall is the master bedroom and a balcony that looks into the backyard.”
Piper drags her fingertips over the marble countertop gently. She’s tactile in everything she does and I itch to have her hands over my body tracing it the same way.
“Drink?” I ask her.
“Sure, whatever you have.”
I open the fridge peering inside, there’s cheese, leftovers, and a few paltry items. Pathetic. I should have thought about this sooner but I was limitied to sparkling water, beer from the last time my buddy Beck was over to watch a game and wine. Shit. I’ve haven’t even spoken to Beck yet.
Internally I cringe, “Wine? Half a bottle of red left.”
“Perfect.”
I fill our glasses and we make small talk finishing the wine quickly on empty stomachs. Smooth, I forgot dinner. A crappy husband I’m turning out to be starving my bride. I’m feeling tipsy because it’s not often I can drink and relax with good wine and even nicer company. Piper is stunning, over the age of eighteen, and doesn’t require medical assistance. I should probably get out more.
I nearly tip the now empty bottle over and Piper catches it in time kneeling on the kitchen floor.
“Good catch.” I praise following her down to sit. She laughs and places the bottle on the floor sideways spinning it.
“Wanna play a game?” The request is met from under her lashes hiding her dark eyes from me. I’m determined to change that.
“Sure.” I spin the bottle wondering how this will pan out.
“Uh oh what should we bet?”
“How about each answer a person gives the other has to get naked.”
“Not fair. I’m wearing half the amount of clothes you are.” She scowls. Pink lips and big eyes I could drown in.
“Totally fair.” No way was I going to let her think she was going to beat me. Oh no, I was determined to get her naked or at least partially disrobed. Admittedly I’m an opportunist.