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“I agree. So let’s not make it weird,” I replied.
We stood there, letting it get weird.
If only it were as easy as that.
“Hey,” I said, happy to have thought of a topic. “Did they let you collect my pay? For the work this morning?”
“Oh!” He reached into his pocket and came out with a $100 bill. “They sure did.”
“Awesome. Thanks again for that.”
“Anytime.”
Dorian went back into his room and I went upstairs. I wasn’t sure what to do with myself now that I had a free night, so I started with a long shower and then changing into comfortable pajama pants and a loose t-shirt. When I returned downstairs, Braden and Dorian were arguing about what to get for dinner.
“The Flying Saucer has great food,” Dorian was saying.
“I don’t like Turkish. What about Korean?”
“I had Korean two nights ago.”
“Korean food is good enough to have every other day,” Braden argued.
I listened to them before saying, “You know, you two don’t have to order the same thing.”
They blinked at me as if they hadn’t thought about that.
“We’re going to start this new show on Netflix,” Braden said. “The one with Jason Bateman.”
The invitation lingered in the air, but the only open spot was on the couch next to Dorian. I knew I’d spend the entire time tensely wondering what he was thinking about, and over-analyzing if my arm was too close to his leg.
“Maybe so,” I said, going into the kitchen to get a glass of water to buy myself time. By the time I came back out into the parlor, Braden was receiving a phone call.
“Yeah, sure,” he said into his phone. “Be there in a little bit.” He hung up and sighed back into his chair. “That was Ryan. He and Andy are camping out at the theater in case the saboteur comes back tonight.”
“Hey, that’s not a bad idea,” I said.
“But they want me to bring them sleeping bags and stuff.” He looked forlornly at the Netflix screen on the TV.
“I’ll go,” I said, leaping on the opportunity.
Dorian cocked his head. “Are you sure? You look like you’re ready to get comfy yourself.”
“I don’t mind at all. And it won’t be the first time I’ve ridden the subway in pajama pants.”
Braden helped me gather what they needed: sleeping bags, toothbrushes, a change of clothes. “Andy already has two pillows,” I said.
He paused while stuffing pillows into the duffel bag. “Oh that’s right. How’d your date go? The Central Park picnic is a classic date.”
“That’s what Dorian said. The date went really well. It was nice to get outside, enjoy the warm sun, and relax.”
I cut it off there. Was Braden waiting for me to say more? It felt like he could tell that something more had happened on the date. It should have been natural to tell him…
But somehow, I couldn’t.
“Hey,” Braden said, snapping his fingers. “I meant to ask you. My parents are back in town and want to get dinner after rehearsal day after tomorrow. You free?”
“I’ve got a shift at the bar.” I flinched, and quickly added, “But I’ll get Robbie to cover for me. He owes me.”
