“For the most part, but a few adjustments will need to be made.”
“No adjustments.”
“You can’t hear me out like I heard you out?”
“OK. Fair is fair. Let me hear it.”
“I will, after we’ve sat down with our food. Can I pour you another glass?”
“Yes.” She handed me the glass from her hand. It was nearly empty.
I refilled her wine and handed it to her. She slid from the island and followed me over to the stove where she held her hands out for me to lift her onto the countertop that was closer.
“Physical touch and quality time. Those are two of my love languages. I’m still trying to determine whether reassurance is the third.”
She continued teaching me things that I wanted to learn, but I didn’t mind the lessons. It was more for her protection than mine. Ever was fresh out, just like me, and not trying to get her shit broken into pieces.
“I’ve noticed.” I drained the potatoes of water and brought them back to the stove.
“Yours?”
She leaned in closer, watching as I added butter, milk, garlic, a pinch of dried ranch seasoning, salt, and pepper.
“Loyalty and respect. Submission, I’m trying to figure out if that’s my third.”
“Hmmmm. Sounds simple enough.”
“’Cause I’m a simple fucking man.” I shrugged.
“Have you met yourself? Far from simple, Luca,” she challenged.
“How would you classify me then?”
I was genuinely interested.
“Complex.”
I chuckled a bit. Not surprised by her revelation. The truth was that so many considered me the same when I was the exact opposite. However, my simplicity confused them to the point of attempting to unmask or unfold things that just weren’t there. I didn’t have a million layers that needed to be peeled back. Everything about me was black and white, straight to the point. Many have made the mistake of thinking I’m complex, and I didn’t try to convince them otherwise. But, Ever, I wanted her to understand that I wasn’t. Figuring that out was the hard part, which made everyone give up and sum it up as me being a confusing or difficult subject.
“You’ve only known me for like two days.”
“And in that short amount of time, I still haven’t figured you out. It never takes this long.”
“Don’t try to figure me out, Ever. Determine who I am by my actions and you’ll see that I am, in fact, a very simple man. I’m straightforward, honest, respectful, and loyal. That’s it.”
“Sounds simple enough.”
“Because it is. Taste these,” I told her as I scooped a small spoonful of potatoes up and placed them at her lips. She opened and accepted it.
“Ummmm.” She moaned onto the spoon as I slid it out of her mouth. With her eyes closed, she nodded for approval.
“Are you ready to eat?”
“Umm hmmm.”
“Have a seat at the table, and I’ll bring your food over.”
THIRTEEN
