“Wondering if this counts as a date or hanging out as friends?”
“Yeah. I mean I can’t remember the last time I had a first date, or made a new friend before my best friend Sophia.” She half laughs in a nervous giggle.
“This can be whatever you’re comfortable with. I’m good with anything you are.” I inch closer to her just a bit so she doesn’t even notice the movement.
She lifts one leg onto the couch, folding it in front of her when she turns to face me fully. “Can I… Can I say something that is probably super weird and might make you run for the hills?”
“I love weird. Lay it on me.” I turn to face her too, inching closer still.
“This, the whole night, feels like a night I’ve lived before. With you. It all just feels very familiar and like…”
“Deja vu?” I add.
“Yes! Just like that. Is that creepy of me to say?”
“No. I was thinking the same thing. I feel like I’ve met you before, lived a whole life with you, it feels comfortable here in your space. Which for me, is huge. I never feel comfortable anywhere and that includes with my own family.”
She rewards me with a huge smile before turning back, a little closer to me, to the show. I close the space between us, letting our arms and thighs touch.
At the end of the first episode, her head is resting on my shoulder and soft snores escapes her.
I slowly slip my arm behind her, pulling her to me so that I can bring her to her room, but she stirs and wakes before I can stand.
“I’m so sorry. This is why I’m still on season one.” She chuckles.
“Don’t be.” I slip off the couch. “But, I’m going to get going so you can get to bed. Text me and we can plan a time to get together to finish planning the Easter event.” Leaning over, I drop a kiss to her forehead. “See ya, Aubrey.”
“See ya, Coopa.” She giggles using the name Lily gave me.
Locking the door knob, I pull the door shut, leaving her safely inside when I hear the deadbolt click into place.
Then my phone pings with a message.
Aubrey:Is it too soon to ask if we can meet tomorrow?
Me:Nope. I’m
I take two more steps.
Me:Officially off your property so definitely not too soon. Tomorrow sounds great .
Aubrey:Perfect. Thank you for cleaning the kitchen. And not running for the hills when I told you my weird thing.
Me:I told you I love weird.
Aubrey:Seems so. Goodnight, Cooper.
Me:Goodnight, Aubrey.
I pocket my phone walking into the inn, hoping to sneak a snack without seeing any of my family members. Making it through the living room unscathed, I slowly push open the kitchen door, and find my mother standing at the steel island, in the dim lights, digging through a container.
“What exactly are you doing?” I say loudly.
Ma jumps in the air, spinning around to face me with her hand clutched to her chest.
“Cooper Keaton! How dare you scare your mother like that!” She scolds me, but I can’t hold back the laughter.
“What are you doing in here in the dark?” Walking over to peek over her shoulder, she’s digging through a container of freshly baked cookies. “Ma! Are you breaking into tomorrow’s cookie?” I feign horror.
