SURPRISE
He was really sexy when he smiled. He talked a lot, too, when he wanted to. Sometimes I felt like I knew more about him than he knew about me. That made me feel incredibly guilty. Though, if he asked me anything I wouldn’t hesitate to tell him.
He took his wine glass from me and put it closer to him. I had been stealing sips from it the second the waiter brought it over to him. I drove so he was right to do so. It tasted good though so I made a mental note to ask him what it was. We could have a relaxing night inside and finish it together.
I had been looking forward to this date the second he said he would be able to make it. Yes, we spent a lot of time together but whenever we had a date set for something it always felt like our first day, or the other impromptu ones we had. It was no different tonight. We were more than comfortable with each other. It was as if no one existed but us and we sitting at home with each other stealing food and talking and laughing.
Next thing I knew it was four hours later and they were closing. Sein tugged me closer as we walked out before slipping his hand in mine. It was nice. He thought we should designate Fridays date night. That won’t ever happen because we’re both homebodies and it’s hardly planned when we go out. We go to the SUV and drive home, talking as usual.
I parked in the driveway off the side of his apartment, engine and seatbelts off, and we talked some more. When it got quiet, Sein leaned closer to me, eyes trained on my lips. I met him the rest of the way. The kiss was soft and left my stomach tied in knots.
“My dad and Simon are coming over tomorrow morning. Dad will be making breakfast. I’m thinking you should be there.”
Sein smiled and caressed my cheek and chin like he had been doing all along. Whenever he did that it always changed my mood into something even more pleasant, comfortable, and hopeful—just better.
“Okay. What time?”
“9…9:30”
“Alright.” He kissed me again. “Call me when you get home”
“Yes Sir.”
When I opened my eyes I almost expected Sein to be there. Well, I did, until memories of last night flooded my mind. I smiled and lied in bed for a few more minutes, reminiscing.
I texted: Buenos días
While I made my bed I looked at the phone for a light that would indicate a text but nothing came. I went to shower. There was a text when I got out but it was from Simon telling me that they were on their way. The doorbell rang while I was putting a shirt on.
“Come here,” I said, pulling inside by his the collar of his jacket. I’ve lost count of how many times one of us have been pressed up against the back of my front door (There’s a pun somewhere in that statement).
“Morning to you too,” he said, a small smile spreading those perfect lips of his.
“I said good morning already. Check your phone.”
“Your coffee, babe,” Sein said. I melted a little because of how natural it has gotten for me to hear certain phrases from him. “Thanks for noticing me before your coffee, by the way.” I laughed and gave him a thank you kiss. “I don’t know what your father like but you mentioned something about you guys having cappuccino before, and I hope I finally got Simon’s order right. It’s like the rocket science of a soccer mom’s order.” I laughed. “I’m kidding. It’s just very specific.”
“He’s a specific kind of guy. They should—” I heard keys in the door. “Well. They’re here. Let’s go in the kitchen before they step inside.”
“Maxwell?” Dad called.
I didn’t have to answer. “Dad, he’s right there why are you yelling?”
“I wasn’t paying attention so—oh.” Dad walked over to the kitchen. His eyes were on Sein but his words were aimed at me. “Did you forget we were having breakfast?”
“No.” I answered. “I intended for you guys to meet. Dad, this is Sein. Sein, meet my Dad.”
Sein stepped forward and shook his hand. “Pleasure to meet you sir.”
Dad was in a state of shock it seemed. He looked at Sein, mouth opened for a second or so before he spoke. “Uh, pleasure, too, to finally meet you.” His eyes snapped over to me. “Thanks for the warning.”
“Surprise.” I said.
“Hi, Sein,” Simon greeted softly.
“Hey, Simon.” The day will never come when I’m not mesmerized by how they reacted to each other.
We sat around the center island drinking coffee as Dad moved around the kitchen, taking his cup wherever he went. Dad’s ultimate pride was taking care of Simon and I. When I started college routines got messed up and I had to be on my own more and depend a lot on myself. As much as it wasn’t something that I did on purpose it took a toll on my dad. It wasn’t that he didn’t want me to grow up and be independent but he cherished providing for us. We always had fresh breakfast in the morning and fresh dinner at night.
“It takes more than putting a roof over your heads and food in pantry for me provide for my children,” he had said one morning when I had grabbed a snack from the pantry and ready to run out. “What’s the point of that? Making something available is only part of providing.” He was upset. “I have to take care of you guys. I don’t feel good knowing that I’m here and you’re going to school eating a protein bar instead of a properly cooked breakfast. I wasn’t raised like that. My mom…” his voice had cracked then and I still remember how glassy his eyes looked. “My mom took care of me. Please.” I had realized that as much as he was over mom leaving he would never be over the gaps she left that he had to fill. And he hadn’t minded a second. So when Dad wanted to make us breakfast or dinner or lunch, it meant more to us than anything he could’ve bought. It meant more to him than anything we could’ve given him.
“You okay?” I heard in my right ear.
“Yeah,” I answered Sein.
“Dad, Sein brought me this sandwich. He brought it in New York. I actually ate it. It was really good. He didn’t bring it again, though.” I laughed outright while Dad tried to cover his by putting the cup to his mouth. Sein looked like he had committed the worst offense in history.
“You never said,” Sein responded. His voice was a bit high pitched from the shock of Simon’s confession. Simon had that effect on people.
“I’m saying now. Bring one for Dad too.”
“Uh. Okay.”
“Thanks in Advance,” Dad responded. He turned his back to us. He was no longer unable to contain his laughter.
***
“Your dad is cool,” Sein said later that night over ice cream.
“He’s the best.”
“I think we hit it off well.”
“I do, too.”
“So tell me what’s the problem then.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re being unlike yourself, weird, ever since they left. I could’ve waited. You didn’t have to if you weren’t ready. Your dad would’ve understood.”
“It’s not that, okay? It’s nothing.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Should I go?”
If this conversation was to get a reaction out of me, it worked. “Why are you always so quick to leave?” I sighed, calming down instantly. After today, the last thing I have the strength for is an argument. “Go if you want.”
“I don’t want to leave, Maxwell,” Sein said. I deflated at the tenderness in his voice. “You look like you need space. I was only offering to give it to you.”
“It’s even more real now. I don’t know how to explain without hurting your feelings.”
Sein turned in his chair and turned mine so we were now directly in front of each other. Concern was evident on his face. “You won’t. Dime.”
“Shit happens, right?”
I could tell he wanted to laugh but he didn’t. And I appreciated that. “Yeah.”
“There’s no turning back now. I didn’t want my dad to get is hopes up about us. That has nothing to do with how I feel about you. It’s because things happen. He wants me to be happy and he wants me to find love like I’ve done for so many people. The problem is I don’t know if I’m fated to be happy. It’s always ended badly. Every time.”
“Do you want to be happy with me?”
“Of course I do,” I answered, more certain than anything.
“Hold on to that.”