He looked really worried, so she shuffled to the couch and sat down to appease him. “I want the chocolate chip pancakes,” she said, handing the phone back to him.
“Sausage or bacon? Do you have orange juice, or should I get some?”
“Bacon, please. And I can check on the orange juice.” She started to get up, but his hand went to her shoulder.
“I’ll check. Do you want some tea or anything?”
“Tea sounds lovely. I usually have ginger tea for this time of the month.” It helped with the cramps, and the nausea that often accompanied them.
She heard cupboard doors open and shut, the microwave turn on, and the fridge door opening as well. Then Matt came back to the living room.
“I heated a mug of water in the microwave, I didn’t see a kettle. Once that’s done, I’ll put the order in and stop at the store on my way to get the food.” He squatted in front of her. “Is there anything else you need?”
“This is so cliche, but literally anything chocolate helps.” She sighed as she pushed the heating pad into place over her abdomen. “Thank you so much. I’m sorry I’m not up to going out.”
A mischievous smile stretched his round face, and his eyes twinkled at her. “Hey, this way I don’t have to share you.” He winked as she giggled and went to get the mug of water from the microwave as it beeped. Rosie wrapped her hands around it gratefully when he brought it over with the tea bag inside.
“Do you want sugar? Milk?”
“No, I drink the ginger tea straight.” It would need time to steep and let all the wonderful flavors out into the water.
“Okay. I’ll be back soon.” He started to leave, then turned back to her. “Is it okay if I kiss you at the beginning of the date? Or am I still supposed to wait till the end?”
He was just the cutest. “I’m not going to turn you down,” she said, and angled her face upwards. Matt bent and took her mouth with his. Those soft lips teased her for only a moment before he stood up. She pouted.
“To be continued.” He smiled, then backed away towards the door. “If I don’t get out of here, we’re never going to get breakfast. Now don’t move.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll leave it unlocked for you.” She winked as he shut the door behind him.
Rosie decided she could get used to this.
Chapter 10
Stacey’sDinerwascloserto downtown Baltimore, but he’d heard the food was worth the drive. There wasn’t much traffic on a Sunday morning anyway, so he pulled into the Food Lion with plenty of time before the order would be ready. It wasn’t his usual grocery store, but it was close to the diner. Getting out of the car in the little strip mall, the area looked vaguely familiar. Then, he realized where he was. In the block behind the red brick facade, he saw the glass and metal of Jake and Olivia's high-rise. Hmm. He’d have to tell Olivia about the diner if the food was as good as he’d heard.
The sliding glass doors opened for him, and he grabbed a small hand basket. Walking past the bakery, he snagged some chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting. They weren’t homemade, but they looked delicious.
The store was nearly empty, so it wasn’t a surprise he heard the sighs coming from aisle ten.
He did a double take, almost passing the aisle by completely. A frazzled Jake was standing there, in sweatpants and a winter coat, looking overwhelmed by the choices in the tampon aisle.
“Hey, Jake, didn’t expect to see you here.”
Jake looked like he’d almost jumped out of his skin, then he spied Matt, and breathed a sigh of relief. “Matt, hey. Olivia needed some … things. So here I am.” He stared down at a small square of paper. “Now if I only knew which ones she wanted.”
Matt peered over his shoulder to read the note, then reached out and grabbed the box his sister had been buying since high school. “Here you go.”
Jake looked up at him, disbelief written all over his face. “How … how did youknow?”
Matt shrugged. “She’s always used that brand.” He pointed to the different words on the note. “That’s the brand, that’s the style, and that’s the size. Oh wait, she wants supers too.” He grabbed another box and handed it to his sister’s shocked boyfriend.
“Dude, you’re a lifesaver.”
“No problem. And if you want to really get on her good side, go pick up some chips and pretzels. She craves salt this time of the month.”
“You’re the best,” Jake said as he started towards the center aisle. “I’ll see you around!”
“Later!” Matt waved at Jake’s retreating form, then shook his head. He didn’t see what all the fuss was about. It was a natural cycle of life, but most guys just freaked out when it came to periods. He’d still been in grade school when Olivia’s started, and he’d learned over the years what she needed when the time came. Naturally, he never admitted to his high school friends he knew to grab the hot water bottle and where his sister kept her dark underwear. Learning about it was unavoidable, and she eventually stopped being embarrassed about it around him.
