Seth comes back a few minutes later with a tray in his hands. He sets two plates of lasagna, silverware, and glasses of water on the dining table. I'm kind of relieved when he pulls out paper napkins.
"Cloth napkins might have been overselling it a bit," I say out loud, and Seth gives me a confused look. "I mean I'm already so freaking impressed you live this way. It's making me feel bad about my own life."
"Stop." He sits down at the table. "It's not that big a deal."
I point to the ladder leading up to a loft. "Do you sleep up there?"
"No," he says. "Mutt can't climb the ladder, and he's used to sleeping in the room with me. There's a bedroom back there."
He gestures to a door off of the living area that I haven't opened yet, and I feel myself gulp air. Seth's bedroom, where the magic happens.
Seriously, Andie, get a grip.
* * *
After we eat,Seth and I clean up together. I know not to interfere as he places dishes and silverware in his perfectly organized dishwasher. It doesn't annoy me anymore though. In fact, I find it kind of adorable. Mutt is snoring up a storm on the couch, and it's close to eleven o'clock now.
"So do you want to hang out and watch a movie or something?" he says as he rinses a plate in the sink.
I run the sponge slowly over the countertop. "Do you want to watch a movie?"
Seth stops and meets my gaze. "God, no."
Our eyes lock, and it's the moment I've been waiting for all night. He takes a step toward me, and I put a hand on his chest to stop him.
"No," I say, watching his expression turn into a frown. "I need to brush my teeth before I kiss you. I probably have spinach stuck in my incisors."
Seth laughs and shakes his head. "This seems like a weird moment for dental hygiene, but then I never know what you're going to say to me next, which is part of your charm. I have some toothbrushes in the closet."
"Yay!" I say. "And where would that be?"
"In my bedroom."
There's more intense staring, and I have no idea I'm going to say the words until they're out of my mouth.
"So what do you think about me sleeping over tonight?"
Seth's jaw actually drops about an inch, and he's at a total loss for words. Something like uhhh comes out of his mouth. He's not the only one who never knows what I'm going to say.
"I don't mean a naked sleepover, I'm not suggesting that we go there. It would just be nice to have time with you and talk all night. And I can sleep in the loft or whatever. Or not. I can go home." I inch toward the door because he's still not responding. "Cause this is weird now. I just made it really weird..."
"No.” He comes after me and grabs my hand. "Yes, stay. That would be great. I want you to stay."
"Okay," I say quietly.
"And," he says, squeezing my hand. "We should go brush our teeth because I don't think I can wait much longer before I kiss you."
* * *
His bedroom is painteda serene gray and the furniture is solid pine. There's a wood chair in the corner, which I bet he built. It looks sturdy and comfortable. On the night table is a blue lamp and a neat pile of paperback books. Seth is taking his turn in the bathroom after letting me freshen up, and I feel awkward sprawling out on the bed while I wait for him so I stand and flip through the books instead.
When he returns, he sees what I'm doing and grimaces. "My books are being judged by an English teacher."
"I'm not judging," I say. "Just curious."
The Things They Carried. When Breath Becomes Air. Timber Frame Joinery and Design.
"You have good taste," I say, re-stacking them.
