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And with that, he’s gone, leaving me standing in the middle of my living room dazed and confused and anxiously awaiting tomorrow.
* * *
Sunday morning, I wake up with my head spinning from the night before. I lay in my bed and think back to Andrew in my house, sitting on the floor next to me eating pizza. I think of the kiss and the awkwardness that followed, and that he’s coming back today.
I climb out of bed and march to the kitchen to start the coffeepot. While my coffee is brewing, I stand in front of my closet and carefully choose my outfit for today. Obviously, I need something I can get dirty, but also; I want to look cute. Eventually, I settle on a pair of skinny jeans and a mustard yellow t-shirt. I put my hair up into a ponytail that is supposed to look effortless, but in reality I have to put it up and take it down a few times to get it exactly right. I put on a light coat of makeup and shiny pink lip gloss before standing in front of the mirror to assess myself. It’s probably silly to get all dolled up to do work on the house, but I’m working on the house with a cute boy. One that I have to admit that I like. One that happens to be a great kisser.
I sit down with my cup of coffee, just as I hear movement coming from the house next door. I peek through the window just in time to see Andrew climbing out of the bed of his truck. He looks at my house and catches me watching him and gives me a small wave.
Busted.
I wave back and then make my way to my porch, coffee in hand. “Morning.” I say to him with a smile.
“Hey. I was just getting the bed of my truck emptied so we can fill it with your carpet. I can take it to the dump tomorrow.”
“Oh.” I look at the truck nervously. I hadn’t thought about what to do with the carpet after pulling it out. “Thank you. It never crossed my mind that I would have to throw all of that away. I guess it won’t fit in my trash can?”
Andrew chuckles and shakes his head. “No worries. I have some things around here that I need to take anyway. You ready to get to work?”
“Let’s do it.”
* * *
Hours later, Andrew and I plop down on the couch in exhaustion and survey our handiwork. Every piece of carpet has been drug out of the house and piled in the back of Andrews’ truck. The floor is swept and gorgeous hardwood floors can be seen throughout the house.
Andrew stretches his arms over his head and yawns. “You got lucky. I can’t believe this floor is in such good shape.” He says as he turns to me. “Most places have an old floor heater that’s been covered in plywood or water damage. Honestly, I don’t think you even need to clear coat it. Just mop the floor and move on.”
“It looks so much better in here already.”
“It really does.” He agrees. “I will never understand people that cover gorgeous floors like this.”
“Me neither.” I shake my head. “Thank you for your help today. There’s no chance this would have happened without you.” I pause, suddenly feeling shy again. “Can I make you dinner tonight? Return the favor from last night?”
“You don’t have to do that.” He stands and stretches again, taking a drink of his bottle of water.
“I know, but I want to.” I smile. And it’s true. I want to return the favor, but also I want to spend more time with him. “Do you like chicken fajitas?”
“I’ll never turn down Mexican food.”
“Be here at 6:30 then.”
“It’s a date.” He says with a smile.
Chapter 17
It’s a date.
The words ring in my head over and over all day. While I’m driving to the grocery store for ingredients and the hardware store for painting supplies.
While I paint the living and dining room, I keep hearing the words. It’s a date.
While I shower and scrub the paint from my hair and skin. It’s a date.
All day, I have felt anxious, yet excited. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like this. Elliott and I were together for three years, which means it’s been at least that long since I went on a first date, let alone kissed another man, or even wanted to. But with Andrew, I definitely want to do that again.
I know I shouldn’t get my hopes up, of course. He and I are from different places and have different lives. He’s leaving soon, and who knows if I’ll ever see him again? The last thing I need to do is get involved with him, or anyone. But what’s wrong with two adults enjoying each other’s company while we are both here?
By 6:00, I’ve changed my clothes four times and done my hair twice. I settle on a pair of jeans and a flowy tank top, with soft curls in my hair. Then, I awkwardly move around the house fluffing pillows and cleaning the dining room table for the fourth time.
