Page 41 of The Wrong Sister
Mina: I’d invite you over but we’re watching Dark and you can’t jump in partway through
Me: You guys are watching Dark? I loved that series!
Mina: You did? Well shit, come over. I made popcorn.
Mina: Raff says bring beer. Apparently what I have isn’t good enough for his refined palate.
Mina: He’s giving me the finger but he still wants your beer over mine
Me: Be there in a few
I grab a container from my fridge and a six-pack of some micro-brew that Raff brought last time he was over and walk over to Mina’s place. I probably should have given some thought to what I’m wearing. I pulled on soft shorts and a t-shirt when I got home. Not exactly impressive. Oh well, Mina has seen me looking way worse than this. That’s strangely comforting. Coming up on her building, I almost walk into a guy lurking near the door. I apologize, narrowly avoiding him and using the momentum to take me through the main door. Looking back over my shoulder, I catch his eye and I recall where I’ve seen him before, but that can’t be right. I must be misremembering. I keep mulling it over all the way up to Mina’s apartment.
Her door swings open before I get there, Rafferty motioning me in with a mouth full of popcorn. I hand him the beer and container and have a small inner freak out when it occurs to me that I didn’t consider what it would look like beingwithMina with Rafferty as an audience. I told Mina I wasn’t embarrassed to be seen with her. Looks like this is the perfect opportunity to prove that. Suck it up, Simms.
I get inside and Mina points to the couch, hopping up to grab another bowl of popcorn from her kitchen. I sit in the corner, stretching my legs out to the coffee table and Raff mimics me on the other end, passing me an opened bottle. Mina comes back, handing him his bowl and sitting one on the table next to me before climbing into my lap. If she had given me a moment to be shocked or embarrassed, I might have been, but I couldn’t process any thoughts before she was straddling me, her arms around my shoulders and her lips pressed to mine. I run my hands up her back and into her hair. It isn’t a risqué kiss, but Rafferty is groaning like we’re subjecting him to unspeakable horrors. Screw him. Mina’s mouth is one of my favorite things now. She pulls back, pecking me lightly and flipping off my brother over her shoulder.
“Hi. Glad you came. You cool with me staying here?”
“I don’t think you’ll see much of the show like this, Meens.”
“Not like this, dummy. In your lap.”
“Of course, then. I insist.”
“Good.” She gives me another warm peck, then adjusts herself until she’s leaning back against my chest, the bowl of popcorn in her lap. “Ok, Raff. We’re done grossing you out. Start the show.”
I turn slightly to look at him and he smiles at me, genuinely, no longer pretending to be bothered. This is not as weird as I was worried it would be. Another bonus: Mina likes to cuddle. She doesn’t come across as the most warm-and-fuzzy person. It’s like that side of her is mine alone. I enjoy watching the show a second time, but I like the unfettered access to Mina more. I get to hold her hand, run my fingers along her arms and splay my large hand across her small waist. It’s nice to be able to touch her, no agenda.
In between episodes, Raff hops up to take the empty bottles and popcorn bowls into the kitchen and I grab the container I brought.
“I have some of Auntie’s butter mochi Mom sent home with me. Anyone want some? Maybe we could make some decaf to go with it?” I turn the electric kettle on and rearrange a few things, for my own amusement.
They both agree and Mina joins me in her kitchen to start the coffee.
“Hey, have you seen my french press?” She’s opening and closing all of her cabinets, eyebrows drawn together.
“Oh, yeah, I tossed that. Pour-over is far superior. We can use mine until you get your own.” I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep my face placid.
“You what?” Mina is clenching her teeth and her internal battle to stay calm is playing out loudly across her features.
“I tossed it. In the trash. We’re together now, Mina. So you can drink good coffee.”
Her nostrils are flaring and she’s added clenching her fists rhythmically. “I’m sorry. I must have misheard because it sounded like you said you THREW AWAY MY FUCKING FRENCH PRESS BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU MAKE BETTER COFFEE!”
I can’t hold it in anymore and I cough out a weird, barking laugh, reaching over her head to grab the french press I sat on top of the fridge.
“The kettle’s on.” I hand her the coffee maker and she slams it down on the countertop.
“Asshole!” She stomps forward, finger jabbing in my face and I bite it gently before lifting her up. She’s angry but that doesn’t stop her from wrapping her legs around my waist. Her expression stays mad for a good two seconds before she softens into my kiss. “Seriously. Such an asshole,” she murmurs into my mouth.
I laugh. “But you’re so hot when you’re mad at me.”
“Is there going to be coffee at some point?” Raff yells from the couch. “Or am I going to be forced to listen to this and not even get refreshments for my pain and suffering?”
We watch a few episodes, finishing the coffee and dessert. Mina stays curled up against me, her hand twined with mine. I keep thinking about the guy outside. It’s been bothering me all night and the thought isn’t going away.
“I think I saw a guy, someone who was also near us at Moku, lurking outside earlier. And maybe also loitering near CWS the other day. Medium height but really broad, short blond hair. Is he the guy? The one you said was bothering you?”
