Danika
“Howwasyourexamtoday?”
When Arden came home, he dropped his bag on the dining room table and collapsed next to me on the couch. My books were sprawled on the table and cushions next to me but it didn’t stop him from spreading out.
“I think it was good. Felt pretty good.”
“That’s great!” I cheer, pulling my molecular cell bio textbook out from under his butt. Closing up my books, I decide I’ve done enough studying for today. “Dinner? I need a vegetable. All I’m running on lately is coffee and pizza.”
Arden laughs, picking himself up. “I can make us something healthy if you want.”
“You’re going to cook?”
“Is that so surprising?”
“Well, I’ve been living here for over a month and never seen you cook more than a scrambled egg so…yes?”
Arden places a rough kiss on my forehead before getting up from the couch. We both kind of freeze at the intimacy. It clearly came naturally to him to kiss me, it’s probably something he’d do with a girlfriend but…I’m not his girlfriend.
Shaking his head, we both let the moment slide without a word.
“I’ll surprise you. You keep working,” he says, heading toward the kitchen.
“No way,” I say, closing the book on my lap and jumping from the couch. “I want a front row seat for Chef Arden at work.” He grimaces as he opens the fridge, searching for something that isn’t there. I lean against the counter and grin mischievously.
I know the only things in our fridge are half and half, barbeque sauce and a half empty brita filter. Arden closes the door, grabs his keys from the counter and pulls on his jacket.
“Quick trip to the store.”
“Oh, I’m so coming,” I say, grabbing my own coat. Arden seems surprised by my insistence, but I am dying to see what “healthy” thing he comes up with.
Plus, I need toothpaste.
We drive ten minutes to the nearest grocery store, and the entire drive I list all the things I want to get. When we get there, Arden grabs a small basket to get the food in. We wander the produce aisle, and I see him eying all the vegetables but not grabbing a single thing.
“Are we planning to eat any of this food, or just look at it?”
“Hush, brat. I’m thinking.” Arden grabs an onion and puts it in the basket. “Go get what you need and I’ll meet you by the register.” I leave him comparing two zucchinis and grab a basket for myself.
I make quick work of grabbing the toothpaste and tampons I’ll need soon and grab a few of my favorite snacks before meeting Arden by the register. His basket is full, but I can’t get an idea of what he got because it moved it out of my view.
“No peeking.”
“It’s a surprise? What if I want to help cook?”
Arden shakes his head. “No helping. You just relax while I cook. You don’t do enough of that.”
“Enough of what?”
“Relaxing.”
He’s right, of course, but I didn’t know he noticed that.
We pay separately and within ten minutes, we’re back at the apartment. I unpack my snacks in the kitchen, but Arden goes to the bathroom when we get in. He closes the door and spends a questionable amount of time in there before emerging.
“It doesn’t smell, does it? ‘Cause I need to pee.”
He rolls his eyes. “It smells, but not the way you think.” He grabs my hand and pulls me into the bathroom and my eyes widen at the sight. The bathtub is full of soapy water and there’s half a dozen candles lit. A bottle of wine sits on the edge of the sink and soft music plays from his bluetooth speaker.