“I’m an open book. What do you want to know?” I said.
“When did you move to the States?”
“About four years ago,” I said. “After graduating college, I moved out here on a whim, and I haven’t looked back.
“I bet your family misses you,” he said.
“I only have my mom out there,” I said, and I hoped he didn’t delve deeper into the subject. History with my family wasn’t something I shared with anyone, especially my employer.
“We don’t have much family around either,” Noah said and then ruffled Gina’s hair. She swatted at his hand. “My wife had been an only child, and her parents had passed away before we were married. I have a brother who lives in Texas with his family, but we don’t see each other much.”
“On the phone we do!” Gina said.
Noah smiled. “We do video chat on occasion with her cousins.”
“That’s really sweet,” I said. I hoped Mom never figured out video chatting or else I was sure I’d have to keep my apartment much cleaner for her inspecting eyes.
We chatted more about our personal lives, keeping the subjects lighter on a professional level. This was the most I’d talked to Noah since knowing him, and I liked him even more after the conversation. In addition to being attractive, he was funny and absolutely adorable with Gina. He spoke to her like another person instead of a child, a trait that I admired in anyone who did it.
After pizza, Noah brought out the box of cannolis.
“I hate to admit I’ve never had one of these before,” I said.
“What?” Gina asked.
“You have no idea what you’re missing,” Noah said, reaching across the table to place the dessert on my plate.
“So yummy,” Gina said while licking the end of hers.
I took a bite, acutely aware that their attention was on me. The sweet, creamy filling had a unique taste and mixed with the crunch of the shell and the powdered sugar on top. I was in heaven.
“Oh my God,” I said with my mouth full.
Gina giggled. “Told you it was good.”
“You were right,” I said. I finished off the dessert in two bites.
Noah handed me the box. “This is why we get more than enough.”
I took another one and thanked him.
Gina opened her mouth in a wide yawn.
“All right,” Noah said, standing up from the table. “I think it’s time for you to get going to bed.”
“Do I have to?” Gina whined.
“Yes,” he said.
He turned to me, and I held up a hand. “I’ll clean up.”
“Thank you,” he said.
When they left, I finished off my second cannoli and eyed the box. I decided not to take another one and started picking up the plates. It didn’t take me long to finish, and I would have left, but I wasn’t sure if Noah needed me for the weekend. For as much as we talked at dinner, we hadn’t spoken about logistics.
While waiting for him to come back downstairs, I went outside and cleaned up the outdoor toys Gina and I had played with earlier. Then I picked up around the kitchen and living room. As much as I tried to keep tidy during the day, it was tough when Gina went from activity to activity in a matter of minutes.
About ten minutes later, I heard movement from the stairs.