I opened the door to my apartment to see my roommate laying on the couch reading. She smiled at me and I asked how her day was.
"Nothing special. Just same old cybersecurity."
I nodded.
"How's the case going?" she asked, now sitting up.
I told her about the case. Not details, she just knows that we have one and how much of a pain in the ass it is.
"I think we made a breakthrough."
"Oh, so you two stopped yelling at each other for five minutes to solve the case. I'm impressed."
"We didn't solve it yet. And if you think there wasn't screaming involved you are dead wrong."
She laughed.
"Where are you two going tonight?"
"Victor's"
"Oh great. Bring me the Nutella bomb if you can."
"I always do."
We have a reservation at 20.00 so I have just enough time to take a short nap.
"Hey, wanna go to that chick flick marathon with me?!" I heard her yell from the kitchen.
"What kind of marathon?"
She retreated from the kitchen with Pepsi can in one hand and a bowl of pretzels in the other.
"Romantic comedies."
"Which ones?"
"I think Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, Four Weddings And A Funeral, Love Actually...Uh, maybe some others, I can't remember."
"I love those movies!"
"I know you do, that's why I'm asking if you wanna go?"
"When?"
"Sunday. From, I think 5 pm to...I don't know, midnight or something."
"I am there."
She smiled and sat back down on the sofa: "Cool."
She turned on the TV and started watching some TV-Show. Lucifer, I think. I went to my room and threw myself on the bed.
X
I was sitting in the restaurant, waiting for Matthew to show up. I started tapping impatiently with my fingers on the table when I saw him coming. He looked great as usual. We both wore casual clothes, jeans, and shirts, but he could just pull them off so well. Way better than I could, that's for sure. He was a little shorter than I was but still tall and a little more muscular. I am not really lanky but I also very much like to stay away from the gym. He came to me and gave a quick peck on the lips: "Sorry that I'm late. I got home way later than I thought I would and then I had to take a shower."
I smiled: " It's ok. I wasn't waiting that long."
"Good to hear. How are you Ari?"
I almost giggled at the nickname. He didn't use it a lot, but when he did and the soft way he says it, always made my stomach feel warm.
"Good actually. I think we discovered something. How about you?"
"Well, I am tired, as per usual, but today it's honestly not that bad. What are you getting?"
"The usual."
That meant lasagna.
"You can't always order the same thing."
"Is there a rule I don't know about?"
He smirked and playfully smacked my hand: "Just try something new."
"But what if I don't like it? Lasagna is safe."
"It's not a bomb Aron. It's food. If you don't like it, I'll eat it, ok?"
He sometimes treated me like a child.
"Because you sometimes act like a child," I could just hear him respond.
I sighed: "Ugh, fine."
We ordered. This time I went with carbonara, for which Matt assured me I'll like. He sipped his glass of wine, while I drank soda. I wasn't really a fan of wine. Beer and hard liquor sure, but not wine.
"Do you want to go to an exhibit with me on Sunday. It starts at 8 and the theme is time."
I made a face, I was never really a fan of art.
"It's a photo exhibit," he clarified, noticing my face. I actually liked those.
"Yeah sure...Oh shit, no I can't."
"Why?"
"I made plans to go with Van to this romantic-comedy marathon on Sunday. Sorry."
This was the moment his amber eyes darkened and I knew exactly where this was heading.
"You are going to see a bunch of romantic movies with your roommate?"
I rolled my eyes. I was already getting sick of this conversation. I love Matthew, I really do. But one thing I just couldn't stand was his jealous side, particularly towards Vanessa. Doesn't matter how many times I tell him we are just friend and that there will never be anything between us, he still doesn't seem to get it. And I hate that.
"I can't believe we are on this again."
He tried to hide that it was bothering him: "No, no, I was just surprised that you two are going, I mean, isn't that more of a couples thing?"
"Yes, but it doesn't exclude people who are JUST FRIENDS."
I said the last part through gritted teeth.
"You are right, sorry."
I didn't say anything, just shook my head. There was this tension in the air, so when the food came, I couldn't be more grateful. The carbonara was good. We continued to talk about random things and the tension faded away. Like it always does. We paid for the meal and went to his car. I came with a bus. I actually have cars, but can't drive. Never learned, doubt I ever will. I was surprised when he brought his hand around my waist and pinned me to the car. His lips were on mine in a second, kissing me hungrily. I kissed right back. Our tounges intertwined and my hands went around his neck.
"Someone missed me," he said while pulling away.
"You have no idea."
"So...Your place or mine?"
"Yours definitely. I don't want Nessa to hear what is coming next."
He grinned and kissed me again. Thank god tomorrow is a weekend.