Page 15 of My Fiancé's Brother
“Would you like some more food?”
“No. I'm good.”
We finished our meal in silence. It wasn’t awkward, but it wasn’t entirely comfortable either.
He stood up. “I'll do the dishes.”
I stood up too, picking up my plate. “No. That’s fine.”
He took my plate from my hand. “You cooked. I’ll clean.”
“Let me put the food away.”
I carried my wine glass into the open kitchen.
Now we were both in the space behind the island. Every time I turned around, he was within touching distance. I had a distinct desire to flee and had to focus on putting the food away while he loaded the dishwasher. He filled the sink with soapy water and started to wash. He gave me a look when I picked up a tea towel.
“I know where everything goes. It’ll just be faster if I help.”
In silence, we washed and dried dishes together. I tried to think of something to talk about, but I could only focus on how big he was next to me. I was used to my routine. I didn't know how to share my space with a stranger. My shy, inner self seemed to come out in force in his presence.
He drained the sink as I put the last dish away. I handed him the dish towel so he could dry his hands.
“Thank you for dinner.” He sounded sincere, but his expression was unreadable.
“You’re welcome. I'm sorry that Matt wasn’t here.”
“Does he frequently work this late?”
I gave a little smile. “Yeah, he does. There’s no break for a junior lawyer. They try and work them to death.”
I watched as he folded the tea towel perfectly, before hanging it on the towel rack.
He didn’t respond. He redefined a man of few words. Any less talking and the guy could qualify as a selective mute.
I took a deep breath. “I’m heading up to bed to do some reading. I want to tell you that Matt will be home soon, but I think we both know that he could be a few hours yet.”
He nodded.
I started walking upstairs but looked down at him when he began to speak.
“When Matt invited me, I had no idea that he lived with you. Nor did he mention that this was your place. I thought I was just crashing at Matt’s.”
I smiled at him. “Consider yourself lucky. Matt’s bachelor pad was, in my opinion, uninhabitable at the best of times.”
I took a few more steps and stumbled. Bachelor pad. My face burned. Maybe this sailor wanted to have more space to pursue women. I stopped walking, grasping the railing tight. I turned and looked down at him, shocked that he was watching me.
I tried to find the right words. “If you…uh…have a date that goes well you can bring her home. I don’t want to cramp your style…or anything…with stuff like that.”
He stared up at me, his angular face without expression.
I blushed. An awkward pause hung between us, which galvanized me into filling the silence. “So, don’t worry about me. I would be…uh…happy for you.”
I was so red. I got up four more steps when he spoke. “What do you think that is?”
His words stopped me in my tracks.
“What?”
