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I set the phone down and follow in his footsteps to do some reading. The morning sun coming through the windows lights up the space, so I grab the books off my nightstand and settle into the corner of the sofa. I shuffle through my pile, deciding which one I feel most like reading.
I settle for one of the nonfiction books and put my feet up.
The next thing I know, I hear Matt’s truck pulling up the driveway. I look and see that it’s nearly ten. Norm has also heard our visitor and waits at the front door to greet him, just like a well-mannered dog.
I gently push Norm to the side with my foot and peek out the window so I can watch Matt jump out of his truck and walk up to the door. He has loose basketball shorts and a T-shirt on, and it’s the most dressed-down I’ve seen him yet.
Cracking open the door, I let him come in. “Sorry, I just have to grab my shoes and some water.”
He steps through and closes the door behind him. A floral scent reaches my nose, and I realize he’s holding a small bouquet.
“Good morning,” he says simply and hands them over with a smile.
“They’re beautiful.” I lift them to my nose to smell. It’s not a precut bouquet either. It looks like they’re all wildflowers and things from a garden. “Where’d you find these?”
He looks a little shy. “My neighbor let me pick them this morning.”
Without thinking, I throw my arms around him and squeeze tightly. He’s surprised, but before he has a chance to do anything, I smooch him on the cheek, spring back, and hustle toward the kitchen. “Let me put them in some water.”
I hear him talking to Norm; sure enough, he has the little fur ball held in his arms when he comes around the corner to the kitchen.
“Norm says you look extra beautiful today.”
I blush and reply, “Thank you, Norman. You’re a flatterer.”
“I think you look extra beautiful too.”
He stays on the other side of the counter, but I can feel him watching me. I make brief eye contact and a quick, “Thank you.” Then I turn back to finish arranging the flowers in a tall glass. They’re so fresh I don’t worry about trimming the stems.
I already have a water bottle filled and waiting in the fridge, so I grab it and quickly slip into my shoes.
“Ready?” Matt’s been eyeing me the whole time, Norm now sitting on the counter at his elbow.
“I think so.” I can’t help but feel the double meaning in the question, even if he doesn’t. We’re stepping into new territory here. He’s not helping me, we’re not working together, we’re choosing to spend our free time together because we both feel. . . something.
