His smile grows, and I realize what I said, my cheeks heating with mortification.
“I mean, you look nice too, I didn’t mean—I don’t want?—”
“It’s fine,” he cuts me off before leaning in like he has a secret, “you smell fantastic too.”
We grin at each other before moving to Jesse’s car and hopping in. Normally, I’d drive separately, but we already know where each other lives, so it seems silly to drive separately to protect that. Jesse finds street parking, and we pay the meter to get us through a couple of hours while we wander and enjoy each other's company. As we walk into the coffee shop, Jesse puts his hand gently on my lower back, and I almost swoon.
It makes me feel dainty and cared for, two things I don’t feel very often. I turn my face to grin at him. “So, do you drink your coffee black or do you get super fancy drinks?”
He chuckles, “I like cream and sugar, but sometimes I’ll get a super fancy one, just because.”
“What’s today calling for?”
“Today feels like a special day.” He grins at me.
“I agree.”
We put our orders in and move to the side to wait.
“So, um, tell me about your family,” I say, wanting to avoid awkward pauses.
He goes quiet for a moment, and I worry that I’ve now created an awkward pause. So, like the smooth Omega that I am, I try to fix it. “I mean, only if you want to tell me, you don’t have to, it’s not like everybody has a good one, or even likes their good ones! Sometimes what’s good isn’t, and sometimes what can seem bad is good… and I’m rambling.”
Jesse just grins at me. “It’s adorable.”
My face flushes from equal parts embarrassment and pleasure. “Sorry, I just wanted to avoid any awkward topics.”
Our drinks get set on the counter in front of us, and Jesse grabs them before we leave the cafe. Belatedly, I realize I left my travel mug in the car, but it’s too late now to worry about it. I take mine from Jesse, and we stroll down the street, doing some window shopping as we do.
“I suppose family is never an easy topic,” Jesse comments.
“True. Okay. What if we ask simple questions? No details.”
“Can we pass if we’re uncomfortable?”
Thinking of my own family history, I nod. “Absolutely, I want to get to know you, not make you feel bad.”
“Same. So, do you have siblings?”
“I don’t. What about you?”
“I have two extremely social sisters.” He sticks to minimal details, and as much as I wish I could ask for more, I want to respect his boundaries.
“Do you have lots of extended family?” I ask.
“Not a ton, maybe 40 people on both sides of the family. I don’t go to family reunions much. I don’t like dealing with a lot of people. Do you? Have extended family, I mean?”
Pausing, I kick myself mentally for my original question. I wanted to learn about Jesse’s family, not talk about mine. Or lack thereof.
“Uh, nope, no family for me.”
Instead of replying, Jesse cautiously takes my hand, and my fingers eagerly thread through his. Belatedly, I realize we’re touching, but he hasn’t reacted at all. Before I can remove my hand out of panic, he starts talking again.
“Favorite kind of music?” he asks, glossing over my family comment.
“The 80s, duh!” I say with a grin.
He turns and gives me a furrowed brow. “Really? I mean, I knew you liked the 80s, but that’s your favorite?”
