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“You drank like, the whole bar,” I say.
“Come on, it wasn’t that bad,” she says, pushing against me. Her muffled giggles from beneath the blanket sound so sleepy and genuine.
“No,” I say. “Not nearly as bad as that one Fourth of July party three years back.”
“Oh my god,” she says. “Why would you bring that up?”
I laugh, enjoying the ability to banter and tease about a mutually shared past. It’s nice. It’s…different.
“I mean, what can I say?” I laugh. “I know how much you love jello shots.”
Will gags. “Oh, don’t. Please. Never again.” Her giggle grows.
Once the laughter subsides, I let out a long sigh. “I have to get ready for work.”
“Yeah,” she says. “Me too.”
“Well, let me get out of here before you come out from under the covers,” I suggest.
“Oh god,” she says, as if she only just now remembers she’s virtually naked.
I laugh again, unable to stop myself this time.
“Don’t laugh at me,” she says. “I know I’m not one of your perfect Barbie doll women but I hardly think I warrant laughter.” Her tone is biting now, like she thinks I’m actually laughing at the way she looks.
“Oh, god no,” I say, halting my laughter immediately. “That’s not even close to why I’m laughing, trust me.”
She’s silent for a long moment, as if waiting for the rest of my response.
“You’re beautiful, Willette,” I finally say. “And if I were a lesser man, I might’ve done more than steal a glance last night.”
She doesn’t respond, undoubtedly shocked into silence by my admission. “I know this might sound insane, Willette, I do,” I say, turning more completely to face her again. “But, can I take you out?”
More silence. I swallow hard, wondering if I’ve made a mistake. She probably doesn’t remember anything. She probably doesn’t remember me mentioning wanting to kiss her.
“Out?” she asks, as if needing clarification. “Like on a date?”
I smile. “Yeah, on a date. A proper date.”
“Why?” she asks. “Why would you want to do that?”
My head tilts, almost involuntarily.Why? What does she mean why?Didn’t she—I mean,couldn’tshetell I was into her last night?Maybe she really doesn’t remember anything.
“Because, Will,” I say. “I know you. But I’d like to know you differently.”
“Differently,” she says, not a question, but more like a statement out loud to no one in particular, like she’s studying the word and all it could mean.
“Yes,” I say. “Differently.”
“Okay,” she says.
“Okay? Yes?” I clarify.
“A date,” she says. “Yes.”
I lean over and kiss her on the forehead, lingering for a soft but firm moment before hopping off the bed and leaving her to get dressed.
I tell her seven tonight just before leaving, and there’s a look of surprise on her face but she nods. Perhaps she didn’t think I would shoot for tonight, but this is a strange situation. I mean, we’re roommates. I can’t exactly tell her I will take her on a date three days from now and then spend the next three days around her all the while wondering what will happen.
