Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
I reached inside. “First up, we have a bologna and cheese sandwich with mustard.” I waited until Sterling turned his palm upward before placing the bagged sandwich onto it. He rested it on his thigh and I retrieved the next item. “And some barbecue potato chips.” Once that bag was balanced on his opposite thigh, I grabbed one last thing. “And of course we needed something sweet, so I brought you a chocolate snack cake.”
Sterling thanked me with a smile as he took the cake, but I scrunched my nose up in disappointment. “You know, as I’m handing this lunch to you, I realize that I could have brought you something much nicer.” I should have ended my lecture a little early and grabbed some hot take out food.
But Sterling chuckled as he shook his head. “I don’t need anything fancy; this is great.” Even though he was sharply dressed and had gone to a prestigious school, he was a down-to-earth guy, which I found admirable. His cheeks blushed as he added, “Besides, I’m more interested in the company.”
“That makes two of us.” I took a large bite of my sandwich, noticing that Sterling hadn’t even unwrapped his yet.
Before I could ask if something was wrong, he tipped his head and asked quietly, “Why?”
I was confused. Feeling dumb but wanting to understand, I asked, “Why what?”
“I’ve been visiting this campus for years, and I’ve only been approached one time; a woman asked me if I was lost, and explained that I had accidentally wandered onto a college campus. She meant well, but I felt out of place. I actually didn't visit for a while after that.”
My heart broke for him. While the woman had good intentions, she assumed that Sterling didn’t belong because of his disability.
“Then when you saw me, you wanted to sit and talk. You even brought me lunch and I just…I’ve been searching my brain to try and figure out why.”
My heart went from broken to shattered. I didn’t know everything he’d been through in his life, but no one should ever believe they weren’t deserving of kindness.
“Well, I must admit, when I approached you, my intentions were purely selfish,” I told him, and Sterling wore a worried expression as he waited for me to finish, “I saw a gorgeous man and wanted to get closer to him.”
A small sigh of relief left him as his lips curled into a smile. “So selfish,” he teased, making me grin. “But…how did you know that I’m gay?”
Honestly, until that very moment, I wasn’t sure. “I had no idea,” I admitted. “I hoped, but I would have wanted to say hello regardless. If you were straight, I’d still want friendship. Hell, if that’s all you want now, that’s okay too.” It would suck, given how drawn I was to him, but I would never cross a boundary.
After a moment, Sterling asked, “What if friendship isn’t all I want?”
I mentally pumped my fist and pounded my chest, but kept my voice calm when I answered, “Then I’m a very lucky man.”
“I’d argue that I’m lucky too; it’s not every day that a man brings me bologna.” He was teasing again, but there was sincerity in his voice as well. Sharing lunch was a small gesture, but he appreciated it.
“Although this bologna is a culinary delicacy, I’d love to take you on a proper date if you agree.”
Sterling’s lips twitched, and he answered with a coy, “I could be persuaded.” I liked his playful, feisty side.
“Not making it easy on me, huh? Okay then, what’s your favorite type of food?” I’d find the best version of it to share on a date. A date! It’d been a very long time, and the anticipation sent my heart racing.
“I love anything Italian.” He smirked and added, “Of course, no sight and messy sauce can sometimes spell disaster.”
“Hey, no judgment from this corner,” I shrugged. “I have my sight and still make a mess of myself sometimes.”
Sterling laughed and my stomach warmed. “You know, most of the time when I say stuff like that in front of people, they get uncomfortable or feel like they have to build me up or tell me not to be hard on myself; even my parents. But I like to joke around or be silly, and I’m glad you give it back.”
“Well have I got good news for you; I say stupid shit all the time.” Sterling snorted again, but I wanted to make clear, “But if I ever do say something that upsets you or comes off as insensitive, please tell me. I would never do it on purpose.”
He flashed a smile and agreed, “Deal.”
Sterling bit into his sandwich and I took the opportunity to search my phone for open reservations. It was a Friday, my last work day of the week. If I didn't get something set up for the weekend, I wouldn't get to see Sterling until Monday at the earliest, and that seemed entirely too far away.