Page 29 of Dreams and Reptiles

“I’m sorry. Please continue.” I pressed my lips together to fight a smile. Serious though the topic may be, I was having the time of my life discussing these things with him.

“If I kiss you, it’s because I’m happy kissing you. If I want more, I’ll ask for it, and I’ll be perfectly okay if you’re not ready. That’s all.”

My playful smile fell, and I cleared my throat. “That means more to me than you could know. I do want more. When I’m ready. I want it now, but I want it all with you.”

“Even if that means sharing me with my job, my creep and mess, my family?” His voice sounded vulnerable in a way I hadn’t expected to hear from him.

“All those things,” I said, curiouser and curiouser. “Even your creepy mess.”

“Well, all right,” he replied, and I was treated once more to his beautiful smile. “Are we still on for our dinner date tomorrow?”

“Absolutely,” I breathed. “I’m going to venture into town for the first time tomorrow to shop for supplies. Is your friend available to Zoom?”

“He is. He’s excited.”

“I’m excited. Now, I’m going to show you to the door, thank you immensely for coming to my rescue, and I’m going to finish my mural. I want it to be ready for you to see it tomorrow.” My heart pounded at the thought of seeing him tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after. Like a regular deal. Could it be that we’d just fallen into a natural thing? Was I nuts to be so strict about everything?

No. I was being responsible, because if I jumped into this before I was ready, I could really hurt both of us, and though he was older and had way more life experience, he could still be hurt. I’d sensed it before, and I’d never allow myself to be the cause of that.

“I can’t wait.”

I took his hand and led him back to the slider. “We really used our words, didn’t we?”

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Words are vital in a negotiation, wouldn't you agree?”

“I would. I’m looking forward to more negotiations.”

He sighed and stepped out the door, holding my hand until the last minute. “Me too. For now, I’ve got to go negotiate with the creep and the mess who are expecting to be fed, especially the ones who will be ravenous when they see my new treats.” He picked up the containers of crickets and shook them a little. “Time tomorrow?”

“Oh… six?”

“Perfect. Good evening, Francis.”

“Bye, Kendall.”

I closed the door and watched him walk down the path to his house. The list tonight was clearly going to include calling the landscaper to get started on Project Neighborly Path.

I wandered back over to my mural, grateful that I’d thought to slide my paints into a plastic bag to keep them from getting dried out, and I was able to get right back to work. I scrolled through my playlists and turned on the one I’d simply called Dreams, and the song “I Can Dream About You” by Dan Hartman, an eighties banger, came on.

I swayed to the music as I took in the mural. I thought I could get most of it done tonight and perhaps save the stenciling for the morning. Then cleanup and phone calls to the landscaper and a plumber, then shopping, then cleaning myself up in time for my date.

I never made it out of the house the next day. I ordered the groceries through Instacart and was rushing to finish dinner when my phone buzzed at five forty-five.

Reptile Wrangler: This is the part where I must ask for patience.

Saucy Neighbor: Hit me.

Reptile Wrangler: I got called to the station this afternoon to cover for the captain. I thought I’d be back, but he’s had a delay. Do you mind postponing dinner for a bit? We can Zoom with Kimo, and by the time we’re done, I should be able to get there. I hate even asking.

How could he think I’d be upset? He had an important job, I was more flexible than him, and I didn’t get the sense that he would have asked if it wasn’t important.

Saucy Neighbor: Not a problem at all. I’ll keep the food warm, and it will be ready when you are. Send me the Zoom link, or do you want to use mine?

His next text was the link, a thank you, and another apology. I appreciated that he worked to use our time wisely, and I couldn’t wait to sit at the table and eat with him. I went into my office and grabbed my laptop. I set it up on the kitchen counter, logged into the link, and started packing up the food while I waited for him to log on.

“Hey,” he said when he came on, his voice full of frustration.

I’d had my back to the screen, and when I turned around to give him my cheeriest smile, my tongue nearly lolled onto the counter.