Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66863 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66863 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
I walked the rest of the way to the fridge and grabbed the garlic. Washing my hands, I turned and followed Kieran’s instructions to the knives and cutting board. I chopped the garlic as he talked to me about Chicago, how long I’d been here and asked more questions about my work. He told me where the skillet was and I sautéed the garlic as he kept talking to me.
When I was finished, I saw his wine glass was empty so I filled it for him.
He told me to turn the heat down on the stew so I did, and when he said he wanted to go out on his balcony, I followed.
We talked about movies and art and when I say we talked, I mean, Kieran did. He asked questions and I answered them. He told me very few things about himself but when he did tell me something, mostly about art, which he enjoyed, I listened with rapt attention.
He was fascinating and kind. He had this air about him, this strength I couldn’t ignore.
After a while, we went back into the kitchen and I found myself asking, “Can I make your bowl?” I wanted to do that for him. He’d made this such a pleasant evening, I wanted to give him something in return.
“No.” Kieran shook his head and disappointment swept through me. “Sit down, Jared. You’ve done enough. It’s time I take care of you now.”
A buzz started beneath my skin. It’s time I take care of you now. Those words echoed through my head, and I felt a…calmness wash over me. It was strange and confusing so I decided to ignore it. “Thank you,” I told him. “I…” didn’t know what to say. What could I say? All he’d offered to do was make me a bowl of stew yet, somehow, it felt like so much more. As though he was giving me a gift I so desperately needed.
“It’s okay. You don’t need to say anything. Just sit down and wait. I’ll give you what you need,” Kieran told me and I did, despite his odd wording. I sat and waited. He brought me a bowl of stew that smelled so fucking good, my mouth watered. He poured me more wine and when I tried to tell him I didn’t need any more, he said, “One is fine. No more after that.”
“Okay,” I replied. It was good wine. There was no reason I couldn’t have another glass.
We sat down at the table after that and ate together. When we were finished, I asked Kieran, “Can I help you clean up?”
“Yes, you may. Thank you for asking,” he told me as he lifted his bowl to take to the sink. I followed with my own dishes and we cleaned up together. We put the stew away and washed dishes. Afterward, I yawned and Kieran said, “You’re tired. I think it’s time you go home. I’ll walk you.”
This strange urgency ripped through me. I didn’t want to leave. I wasn’t ready to go yet. I’d had an incredible night. I couldn’t remember when I’d had such a good evening, the last time I’d felt so…light.
“It’s okay,” Kieran said, as though he could read my mind. “We’ll do it again, tomorrow night. Please don’t be late next time though. I don’t like to be kept waiting.”
“I’m sorry,” I told him. How rude had that been of me? He’d asked me to come over and I hadn’t even taken the time to tell him I’d be late.
“It’s okay. Just don’t let it happen again.”
Kieran walked me back to my condo, which, I realized, was a bit silly since we were neighbors. There was no reason I couldn’t go back by myself, but it was incredibly caring of him to do it. “Thank you,” I told him as I stood in my doorway.
“You’re very welcome. Seven tomorrow, okay? We’ll have drinks and watch a movie.”
Butterflies swarmed my gut. I wanted that, I realized. I wanted it so much I could hardly breathe. I wanted to spend more time with Kieran, in a way I’d never desired with anyone else. “I won’t be late.”
“I know you won’t.” He smiled, which prompted me to do the same thing. “Make sure you get a good night’s rest so you won’t be so tired tomorrow. I’ll see you soon, Jared.”
“I’ll see you soon,” I told him. I closed the door and realized I was still smiling. I couldn’t wait.
CHAPTER FIVE
I was anxious all day. When I got off work, Phil again asked me about going out for a drink, but I had to tell him I had plans, again.
This time, I rushed home to shower and get ready. It was ridiculous, obviously, because I was leaving work at five and I didn’t have to be at Kieran’s until seven.