“Oh wow, I saw it might rain.Do you mind making a fire in the fireplace?I haven’t had the chance.”
Barrett puts the wine he brought onto my kitchen table and heads over to the fireplace.I continue to cut up the vegetables, but can’t help taking quick glances at him as he gets the fire going.He looks fine as hell tonight.
I take the roast out to rest when we hear a crack of thunder.Barrett looks out my window and makes a low whistle.
“Damn, it’s coming down hard.”
7
Barrett
“I’m coming over.”
“Wait?Why?”
“A woman you have admitted being attracted to, who Bernie says it’s obvious you’re gaga over, invited you to dinner.I am going to make sure you dress the part.See you in a half hour.”
My sister hangs up the phone, leaving me standing in my room staring at myself in the mirror.I am already dressed for Abigail’s tonight.I think I look pretty good.
Thirty minutes later, there’s a knock at my front door.Opening it, I find my sister there, holding a bottle of wine and an incredulous expression on her face.
“OK, nope,” she says, handing me the bottle, and walking into my home.
“What’s this?I already bought wine.”
“Is it from Duskwood Winery?Because, if not, you’re taking what I brought.Bringing a bottle from a local vineyard is an extra nice touch, don’t you think?”
“Cal, this isn’t a date.She just invited me over to thank me for helping her out the other day.”
My sister shuts me up with a look.
“Your jeans are good, but that shirt is too baggy.Let’s go look in your dresser.”
I look down at my perfectly normal sized shirt.
“This isn’t baggy.”
“Lordy.B, listen to me.Yes, it’s a fine shirt.But the ladies like to see men’s muscles through their clothing, which you happen to have.So you need something tighter.”
I rub my forehead and follow her to my bedroom.Ten minutes later I am wearing a maroon long-sleeved shirt, which Calissa says shows off my quote-unquote gross brother muscles perfectly.She pops five mints into my mouth and drags me, coughing from the sting of them, out the door.
Looking up at the sky, she says, “Looks like rain.You be safe.And have fun tonight.I drove by the Edison Street project she worked on with you guys, and it looks great.She has real talent.”
I smile to myself, agreeing.
“OK, bucko, get moving.I hope it goes well.”
Hugging my sister, I remind her that tonight is not a date, which earns me a smack on the arm, and I jump into my truck.
* * *
Abigail’s place smells amazing when I walk in.But, even more so, she looks amazing.She is wearing a snug turquoise sweater with dark jeans that hugs every curve of her gorgeous body.Calissa and Bernie know me well.I am pretty gaga over this woman.
After I get a good fire going in her fireplace, a loud crack of thunder startles us.
“Do you mind getting out my candles?Probably would be a good idea to have them on hand.”She asks me from her kitchen.
Abigail's studio apartment is small, but nice.She points to the table where she keeps her candles and lighter, so I set them up around the room.As I light two for her kitchen table, she walks over with bread straight out of the oven.She looks up at me; the candlelight flickering around her beautiful face, and I fight the urge to kiss her.
