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“That too.” Luke chuckled.
“My point is that other than things like mac and cheese and ramen, it’s hard to buy for one person. It’s even harder to cook for one. At least the way I cook.”
“Nico, I can’t let you cook for me all summer.”
“I won’t.” He swiped at his screen. “I’ll cook for me—and you'll help me eat it.”
“How’s that different?”
“Because I won’t be able to eat what I make knowing you’re going eat something that came in a cup.” Nico clicked off his phone and stuffed it in his pocket. “C’mon. There’s a Whole Foods a few blocks away. We can discuss this while we walk.”
Whole Foods? “Is there a Target or Walmart nearby?”
“Seriously?” Nico put a hand on his hip, steering Luke’s gaze toward his crotch. He jerked his head back up. “You want me to buy food at Walmart or Target?”
“No, I want to buy an air mattress, and we need sheets for a king bed.” Luke stared at the bare mattress in front of them. “Unless you’re one of those super prepared people who brought sheets in every size.”
“Oh.” Nico shifted his gaze to bed. “No. I brought twin sheets like we discussed.”
“So, Walmart or Target?”
“Target is closer.” Nico twisted his phone so Luke could see the screen. “Not really walkable, but not too far.” Nico tossed his keys, and Luke snagged them neatly from the air. “You can drive if you want.”
Luke death-gripped the jagged metal. Him? Driving in the city? “Um . . . I couldn’t. It’s your car.”
“Sure you can. I don’t get crazy protective over my wheels. You’re good, and I’m insured.”
“It’s just . . .”
Nico scrutinized Luke, careful gaze stroking his face, his posture. Luke tried to keep loose and casual, but those damn keys in his hand cut into his skin.
“On second thought,” Nico said, “the electric engine takes getting used to. Might be easier if I drove.”
Luke handed over the keys. Their eyes met, and Luke silently poured his thanks into the look. Nico nodded and strode out of the bedroom.
“We’ll hit Target first, then get food. Then you can make the bed while I cook.”
“Sounds like you like being in charge.”
Nico glanced over his shoulder and winked, and Luke staggered with the hit of butterflies to his gut.
Oh no, no. Nope.
They were roommates.
Luke wouldn’t mess up this summer any more than he had already.
Nico
Elisa: How’s day 1 of your Philly Adventure?
Nico: About as well as things went in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
Elisa: LOL! I had to google that to know WTF you meant.
Nico: Here’s hoping today isn’t a sign of things to come.
Nico put the last of the pasta in a container—one of the four containers the owner had. So much for a well-stocked kitchen. Tomorrow he’d see if his mother or Nonna had a few they could part with for the summer.
He also needed to order an air mattress. Like what the fuck? How could Target and Walmart both be out of air mattresses?
Luke hummed as he washed the pot. If he did that every night Nico cooked, this was a match made in heaven.
“Thanks for cleaning up. It’s the one part of cooking I hate.”
“Shit, this is the least I can do. Dinner was amazing.”
Not amazing, but okay for something made on the fly. “You’re saying that because you eat at Harrison’s cafeteria.”
“I’m saying that because I’m about to bust.” Luke patted his stomach as if dinner would do anything to change his flat abs.
“Fresher herbs would have been better.” Mrs. R would know where to shop. Nico would ask in the morning.
“Better? It can get better?” Luke narrowed his eyes on him. “Is this your plan so I let you cook for me all summer?”
Nico laughed. “It’s my master plot to avoid washing pots all summer.”
“I knew dinner was too good to be true.” Luke’s smirk morphed into a smile and ended with a wink that had Nico’s pulse skipping.
If only Luke weren’t so slam-him-in-the-gut attractive. Like a sports model. Body all toned, lean muscle that bulged gently where it should, his arms. His ass . . .
Nico whipped up the threadbare piece of cloth that passed for the lone dishtowel—something else to put on the care package list—and dried the pot. When they finished cleaning, Luke snagged his arm and towed him to the table.
“Can we talk for a minute?”
Nico cringed. Those words never ended well for him. “Sure.”
Luke sat and absently drew on the grainy wood with his finger. “Thanks again for dinner.”
“You don’t need to keep thanking me. It’s no big deal.”
“Yeah, well I appreciate it. And for buying the sheets.”
“But?” Nico prompted.
“But you can’t keep paying for me,” Luke choked out.
Ah. That. “I didn’t pay for you. I didn’t want bargain sheets. I’d break out if I slept on them.”
