Crossroads (26 page)

When I get home from work Wednesday night Nick has Ben Howard playing softly on the stereo, which is my favourite music and not necessarily his, so I’m instantly suspicious.  The scent of something delicious has me even more intrigued.

“I didn’t know you could cook,” I say
, entering the kitchen.

“Shit!”  Nick almost drops the large dish he is pulling from the oven when he jumps.  “I didn’t hear you come in.  You scared the crap out of me.”

“Oh sorry honey,” I say kissing him on the back of his shoulder after he places the dish on the stove top.  “What’s this?”

“Moussaka.”  He turns his head to kiss my lips.  “Have you had it before?”

“Yes, I tried it at that family thing, one of your aunties explained it to me.  It was delicious.  I didn’t think you could cook though. I lean around his side to inspect the dish.  “I’m guessing you visited your mum today.  She made this, didn’t she?”

“I’m offended
.  Do you have no faith in me at all?” Nick says in mock horror.  After poking and prodding the dish for a moment he places it back in the oven.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”
  I giggle.

“Actually that
would be a
no
.”  I look at him sceptically and he concedes, “I
may
have had a little help, but she did
not
make it.  She just showed me what to do.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.  I spent the afternoon in Marie’s Cooking Class, well that’s what she called it anyway.  Basically I spent the whole time being bossed around by a tiny Greek woman who kept trying to take over and continuously told me I was doing it wrong.”  He chuckles.  “But I’m proud to say that yes, I made this!”

“Well I’m impressed Nick.  It smells divine!”

“You should be impressed, I did it for you.”

“
Awww that’s so sweet.”  I wrap my arms around his waist and give him a kiss on the lips.

“That’s not all I did,” he says with a tilt of his head.

And that’s when I see my kitchen table.  It has my white linen table cloth spread over it.  I step closer to take it all in.  In the centre there is a fresh bouquet of colourful flowers, two lit candles and red rose petals scattered around.  It is set out with placemats, cutlery and side plates.  It looks elegant and romantic and it takes my breath away. 

“This
looks stunning Nick.”  My eyes water when I turn around to face him.  “Thank you.”

“Dinner will be ready soon.  Do you want some wine while you wait?”

“Okay.”  I move towards the fridge but Nick stops me. 

“No, you sit down.  I’ll get it.”

“Do you want me to make some salad?” I ask trying to pass him.  He puts his arm across my waist.

“Already taken care of.  Now sit.”

“Okay bossy.”

I watch him pour us both a glass of red, and
I take in his appearance.  He is wearing khaki coloured cargo shorts and a pale blue short-sleeved shirt that is tight across his hard-muscled chest, the buttons opened to almost halfway down that chest, making him enticingly sexy.  He places a glass in front of me and leans in to kiss me on the forehead, his cologne invading my senses.  He takes a sip of his wine and then puts it on the table.  I watch him frown, his eyes overlooking the table.

“I know…” he says
, holding up his index finger.  He walks over to the spare room shutting the door,  then he does the same to my bedroom door.  I watch him close the heavy drapes across the lounge room sliding door that leads to the balcony.  He turns back to survey the now darkened room.  Being summertime it’s still bright outside, but now it could be the middle of the night in here.  “That’s better,” he says with a satisfied smile.

I sit silently and watch him with awe
as he takes a bowl of salad out of the fridge and places it on the table, the salad forks already set out. 
He really has thought of everything.
  He goes back to the kitchen and pulls the moussaka from the oven.

“I think it’s ready now.”  He takes a large server and sets about dishing it up.  Realising it’s too dark to see, he turns on the kitchen light, which he promptly switches off again once he has placed the food on the table.  Plunging the room back into darkness he rushes over to take the salad forks from my hands.

“Here, let me.”

I don’t argue.  He is so eager that I couldn’t possibly do that.  Besides, it’s nice to be taken care of.

“This looks fantastic Nick.”

“Eat up.”

I cut into the moussaka and take my first bite.  I burn my tongue and flinch.

“That bad?” he asks, looking dissappointed.

I flap my hand around in front of my face, shaking my head as I chew.

“No
, it’s just really hot,” I finally say when I swallow.  I sip my wine.  “It needs to cool a little.”

“Oh, did you burn yourself baby?” he says condescendingly as he leans towards me, placing his hand on my thigh.  He kisses my lips.  Then
pulls my tongue into his mouth and sucks it for a moment.  “Better?” he asks cheekily. Not so suprisingly, it does make me feel better, more than that, it makes me excited.

“Ahh!”

I laugh loudly as he burns his own mouth and then quickly takes a sip of his wine.

“Oh, did you burn yourself baby?” I tease him through laughter.

“Not funny!  Where’s the sympathy?”  He laughs.

“Oh I sympathise alright, my tongue hurts too.”

“Yeah, but at least I tried to help you.”  He pouts.

I hastily move from my chair to his lap.  Placing my arms around his neck, I lean in to kiss him.  His cutlery clatters against his plate as his hands move to my sides.  Our mouths move in perfect unison, our tongues soothingly playing with each other.  Eventually I pull my lips away.

“All better?” I ask, returning to my seat.

Nick clears his throat and nods, his eyes filled with desire.  He adjusts the way he’s sitting and it gives me great satisfaction
to know I’ve affected him so much.

“Yep,” he says weakly, smiling at me.  He reaches for the salad bowl.  “How about some salad while we wait for this
food to cool.”

“
Good idea.”

I
tuck into the salad that is already on my plate, while Nick dishes up his own.  It’s got a little too much dressing for my taste, but I don’t let him know.  He has gone to so much trouble tonight, I’m still in shock.  Nick the player, learnt to cook for me and has put together the most romantic dinner I’ve ever had.  The table is set beautifully and the candlelight makes it even prettier.  I look at his sexy, now clean-shaven face in wonder.  Who knew he could be such a perfect boyfriend?

“What are you smirking at?” Nick asks.

“I was just thinking about you, and how wonderful all this is.  I really appreciate it.”

“So I did good?”

“You did really good.”  I nod and his smile widens.

“I wanted tonight to be special.”

“Why tonight?”

“Because I’ve got that gig tomorrow night
,” he says, shovelling in another mouthful of salad.

“Oh that’s right.  We’ll still get to eat together first though, won’t we?”

“Sure.  But it’s more relaxing knowing I don’t have to go anywhere tonight.  I just wanted one special night, you know?”

I nod.  Sure, I understand how important it is to make some happy memories
.  Something special to reminisce about when he is away.  Tonight is probably our last chance to do that.

I decide to tempt fate by cutting a piece of moussaka.  I gently blow on it before putting it in my mouth.  It’s not as hot as it was.  I moan with pleasure when it melts in my mouth.
             

“Oh Nick
, this tastes divine.”

Her voice sounded so seductive right then.  She moans again as she chews making it hard to remain seated when I want her so bad.  But I want to do this right.  I’m so happy she likes the moussaka, I’m pretty rapt with my culinary skills myself.  It does taste good.  This has turned out well.  Em is impressed with everything I have done for her and she hasn’t even gotten to the good bit yet, I’m saving that for after dinner.

After saying goodbye to her
and watching her jump on the train this morning, it struck me that tonight was the only night we had left to stay in and spend together.  I had never cooked anything more than a grilled cheese sandwich before.  But when the idea of cooking her a romantic dinner came to mind, I was determined to do it.  After work I went straight to my mum for help.  She took me grocery shopping and then guided me step-by-step in her kitchen.  I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, actually.  When I left Ma was teary-eyed, I think she appreciated the mother/son time.  All I had to do when I got back to Em’s apartment was reheat it and make a salad.  And of course set the table, luckily Em had all the stuff for that.

I stopped by the florist and happened to walk by a jewellery sto
re when the next thought hit me.

“I could almost lick this plate clean, you know,” Em says, putting her knife and fork down on her empty plate.

“That won’t be necessary.  I think I can find something else for you to lick though,” I say with a wink.

“Oh really?”
  She laughs then reaches over to grab my empty plate.

“No clearing or washing dishes for you tonight,” I say, grabbing the plate from her.

“You really are spoiling me.”

“That is the point,” I say leaning to kiss her.
  “Babe, what do you want to do with all the leftovers?  Do I need to wrap the moussaka or something?”

“When it cools down a little, put some foil on it and pop it in the fridge.
  Oh, I’ve got a lid for that salad bowl,” she says standing.

“Sit down, I’ve got it under control,” I say, even though I don’t have a clue
.  Luckily I find the lid in the first cupboard I open.  After putting the salad in the fridge, I go into the bedroom to grab the jewellery box and tuck it into my pocket.

“What are you up to?” Em asks, but I ignore her.
  I pour us both another wine and sit down.

“Sorry I didn’t make a dessert.”

“I’d much rather have you anyway,” Em says with a wink, surprising me again. 

“
Come sit with me then.”

I push my chair back and pat my lap
, but she shakes her head and sips her wine, remaining seated.  I watch her lick her lips, eyeing me seductively over her glass.  She leans back in her chair, crossing her legs slowly, causing her short summer dress to move upwards with the motion.  My eyes linger on her bare thigh for a moment before her eyes catch mine.  It’s obvious she is teasing me on purpose.
I really have created a monster.

“Not until you tell me what you put in your pocket.”

I take a deep breath before I launch into the speech I have been practising in my head all afternoon.

Nick shifts uncomfortably in his chair.  He looks nervous and that is not a look that suits him. 
Why is he nervous?

“I love you.  And I know I told you I wasn’t ready for marriage
, but…”

H
e reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small black velvet jewellery box.  My heart almost leaps from my chest. 
Now I’m nervous. 
I put my wine glass down before I spill it due to the shaking that has started in my hand.  I feel dizzy. 
This seriously can’t be happening!

“
Nick
.”

“
I wanted to give you this.”  He slides the box across the table towards me.  I don’t move to pick it up and instead stare at him with confusion.  “I want to commit to you.  You make me whole Em and I don’t want to leave the country without you knowing just how serious I am about us.”

I swallow the lump in my throat.  I think I may pass out.

“I know it won’t be easy, but I really think we can make the long distance work.  At least, I want it to work.”  He taps the box that I’m refusing to look at.  “Open it.”

I blink at him for a moment before
finally focusing my eyes on the item in front of me and am relieved to see that it’s bigger than a ring box. 

Why did I presume it was a ring?

Oh, because he brought up the topic of marriage, that’s why.

I open the box and find a
stunning silver charm bracelet.

“Since you threw that one behind the bookcase I thought you could do with a
new one.  I picked the charms myself.”

My eyes are brimming with tears.  I wipe at them so I can look at the charms
more clearly.

“Do you like it?” Nick asks nervously.

“I love it!”  I jump from my chair and into Nick’s arms, causing his chair to almost topple over.  “I love you,” I say before I kiss him.

His hand winds into my hair and his tongue into my mouth.
  I squeeze his body to mine and kiss him hard.  When we eventually come up for air, he reaches behind me to the bracelet that’s still in its box on the table.

“This one’s self-explanatory, it’s my heart.”  He points to the
silver heart charm before removing the bracelet from the box.  He puts it on my wrist.  “And now it belongs to you.”

My smile couldn’t be any wider at hearing his words.

“My heart is yours too,” I whisper and we gaze at each other for a moment, both smiling widely.

“
This one,” he gently holds the only other charm, “is a musical note, well, because I’m a DJ and you like music.  That might be a bit lame, but I liked it.”

“It’s not lame.”

He chuckles.

B
ut I’m serious when I say, “I love it Nick, it’s perfect.”
  So perfect.

“Not yet, but it will be.  I only bought two
charms because I plan on sending you more from around the world.  That way you won’t forget me.  I will send you little souvenirs from all the best places.”

“I want an Eiffel Tower.”

“Of course.”  He pecks me on the lips.  “Will you wear it every day?” he asks me hopefully, his eyes searching mine.

“I’ll never take it off.”

***

I should be working, but instead I find myself fiddling with my new bracelet and thinking of Nick
, the romantic dinner from last night still replaying like a highlights reel in my head.  I look up to find my boss, Julia, standing in the office doorway. 
Shit!  How long has she been standing there?

“Hi.”

“Hello Emma, Sophie not about?”

“S
he’s at lunch.  Anything I can help you with?”

“No, I’ll catch her later.”  She turns to leave the office but then stops.  “Are you okay?”

“Me?  Yes I’m fine.”  My eyes are automatically drawn back to my new piece of jewellery.

“That’s pretty.  Is it new?”

“Yes,” I clear my throat, “my boyfriend gave it to me last night.”

“I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.  What’s his name?”

“Nick.”

“
Nick has good taste.  If you see Sophie can you tell her to come to my office please?”

“Sure thing.”

My stomach growls signalling that it’s time for me to eat some lunch too.  My mouth waters when I remember I brought in a piece of Nick’s moussaka for lunch.  I make my way to the kitchen to heat it up.  While I’m waiting for the microwave to do its thing, I again reminisce about the night before and how perfect it was.  The candlelit dinner, Nick’s kind words, his delicious dinner and beautiful gift.  After such a flawless night it seems terribly depressing to be stuck here at work, particularly now that Nick has finished at the train station for the day and he is probably at my apartment right now.