“Since I was twelve.”
Arlo’s answer rocked my world. Since he was twelve? That meant I was fourteen, which meant…
The memories from freshman year rushed back through my head, counting down the years when we’d finally attend the same school.
I’d crushed on him for just as long, if not even longer.
“Twelve? But…but you never said anything.”
“Neither have you. But I think we both kind of knew, don’t you?”
I tossed his words around in my head. “I think we’re kind of stupid.”
Arlo laughed, his head falling back, his jawline taut and sexy. “Sometimes it’s not the right time or we don’t take the chance when we should. But I’m also tired of waiting. Tired of pawning. And seeing you come to life, helping me tonight, it just confirmed what I knew all along. You’re an amazing woman.”
Tears slipped down my cheeks as Arlo parked his truck in his driveway and killed the engine. Darkness formed around us.
I quickly wiped away my cheeks before he could notice. “You’re amazing, too.”
“Are you hungry?” Arlo asked out of the blue.
“Actually, I am.” I smiled, my tears gone, and Arlo led me inside, promising me delicious food and a cozy lemon drop cocktail before bed.
Inside, the place looked like how I remembered it, except for his kitchen. He had completely remodeled it.
“I ungraded the counter tops with marble ones and this section is stainless steel for preparing food. All of my appliances got updated, too. It took me a while but it’s a good setup, especially for filming videos. Annie helped me pick the fridge.”
He showed me more of his place than I had seen before, with his back patio and underground pool, and his upstairs bedrooms and bathroom. He had the basement finished and his office was down there with another spare bedroom and a laundry room.
“It looks great. Especially the kitchen.”
“Thanks. Are you still living in the apartment you were sharing with Annie, or did you find a smaller one?”
I cringed at the question as we walked back to the kitchen, Arlo promising me food. “Uh, I actually moved back in with my parents. I know. Ew.” I slid onto a bar stool at his kitchen island.
“That’s not ew. Sometimes shit happens. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
I smiled, my shoulders relaxing. I should’ve known he wouldn’t judge me as he never had before. “I couldn’t find anything small worth the price. Then I got comfortable.”
“Your parents make it easy, I’m sure. Especially since the basement is already an apartment.” Arlo immediately went into work mode. “How about a grilled cheese and tomato soup?”
“Sounds great.”
Arlo winked before he turned to the fridge, pulling out plastic containers of soup from his freezer. Then he grabbed cheese, mayonnaise, and butter from the fridge, bread from his bread box, and a butter knife. He got busy making the sandwiches as he warmed up the soup on the stove and made us both a drink.
“I can make the drinks if you’d like.”
“I got it, don’t worry.” Arlo winked.
He wouldn’t let me lift a finger.
The lemon drop with a sugar rim was delicious, the tart and sweet flavor blending well. His soup was divine, the flavors on point, the onion and garlic popping through. And the melty, buttery grilled cheese with the perfect crunch, even more yummy when dipped in the soup. “I didn’t think grilled cheese and tomato soup could be leveled up but wow, this is good.”
“Thank you.” Arlo tossed me a wink and his adorable smile. “I’d tell you my secrets, but then…”
“Then you’d have to kill me?” I finished the old saying.
“No never. I’d have to kiss you.”
