I’m kidding,she adds a moment later.I can’t believe you baked all that when you’ve only baked once before in your life. How are you so good at everything?
Save the compliments until you’ve tried them. Want me to bring a lemon square to the lab now?
You already packed two chocolate chip cookies in my lunch. I think that’s enough.
Yes, I did pack her lunch this morning. A sandwich and carrot sticks and the cookies we made yesterday.
I’m becoming quite domestic, much to Elena’s amusement.
I really do want to visit Courtney at work, though. First of all, because I’m running out of ideas for how to entertain myself. And second of all, because I desperately want another kiss.
I was pleasantly surprised when she kissed me goodbye this morning, and although it was only a brief kiss, it was hardly chaste, and I’ve been replaying it in my mind all morning. Normally, I’d be able to wrestle control of my thoughts, but I can’t seem to do that today. I have no work to occupy me, and Courtney Kwan captivates me like no one else.
* * *
At two o’clock, I’mreading on my rooftop patio, a couple of lemon squares—I really did a great job with those, if I do say so myself—and a beer on the table beside me.
“Hey.”
I jump at Elena’s voice.
“If you don’t need anything else, I’m heading out now,” she says.
“Sure.”
“And your brother’s here.”
Of course he is.
I sit up and look into Vince’s smirking face.
“I never thought I’d see the day,” he says. “You, reading and drinking a beer in the middle of the afternoon. Enjoying the sunshine.”
“It’s only one beer,” I say, suddenly defensive, “and I’m under the umbrella and I still put on sunscreen, so I’m not going to get burnt.”
“Glad to hear you haven’t really changed.” He picks up my beer. “Labatt 50? Seriously?”
“What’s wrong with Labatt 50?”
“It’s an old man beer, but I guess that’s appropriate, seeing as you usually have about as much fun as an old man.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
He shoves his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels. “I just came to give you a heads-up. Mom and Po Po should be here any minute.”
“You told them, didn’t you?”
“Told them what? That you have a new girlfriend and she’s living with you? Why, yes, I did. I like Courtney, by the way. She sent me all sorts of pictures from your fun weekend together—I particularly enjoyed the picture of Joey the Phallic Cactus. I can’t wait to see the results of your private scrapbooking lessons. And apparently you’re getting a pedicure?”
“I did not agree to that. I told her I’d think about it. Why are you and Courtney suddenly best buddies? And how are you texting her now that I have my phone back?”
“She sent me her number before she returned your phone.” Vince studies me for a moment. “You’re still too tense.”
“Maybe that has something to do with your presence.”
He ignores my comment. “You’re not getting laid yet, are you? If you’re determined to keep things platonic with Courtney, at least let me—”
“Stop trying to arrange orgies for me!”
