Noah
“Still no Leo?” Rachel asks as she watches me while I try to clean my station.
“Nope.” I spray disinfectant on my chair and wipe everything down before I move to the vanity and the mirror. “How about Kai?” I ask and she shrugs.
“Maybe they died.” Sure, Rachel, ghosting almost every time happens because the person died. “We don’t need them anyway.” She lies.
“Yes...” My phone rings, interrupting me mid-sentence. Leo’s name is on the screen, and I turn to Rachel before I answer. “Hold that thought.”
“Not again.” She shouts and I place my hand over her mouth before I speak.
“Hello Leo.” I use my customer service polite voice because if I use my actual voice right now, it would be a little overreacting, and we don’t need to scare the man off.
“Noah!” Leo’s voice sounds excited. Almost as if he didn’t think I would pick up the phone. “Are you done with work yet?”
“I am just finishing up.” Rachel bites my hand, and I pull it away. “Fuck you.” I mumble.
“What?” Leo’s concerned voice comes through the phone.
“Sorry. Not you. That was directed to someone else.” I try to save the situation.
“Okay.” He doesn’t sound convinced. “How does dinner sound? I will cook for you.”
“He wants to cook for you. That’s so cute.” Rachel manages to say before I shut her up again.
“What was that?” Just my luck, of course he heard it.
“A dying woman. It’s not important.” I say and Rachel chuckles. I shoot her a glare but she licks my hand forcing me to remove it again.
“Say yes.” She mouths.
“Shut up.” I mouth back.
And none of us talk to Leo who’s still waiting for an answer.
“Are you still here?” He breaks the silence and I motion to Rachel to go away so I can talk to this man in peace. She doesn’t. She takes a seat at my freshly clean chair and pretends to inspect her nails.
“Fuck off.” I whisper.
“Make me.” She whispers back.
“Damn it, Rachel.” I say a little too loudly.
“Is this a bad time?” Leo’s voice interrupts us.
“No. It’s not. Yes I would love to have dinner with you.” I finally say, and Rachel wiggles her eyebrows, making air quotes while she whispers the word “dinner”.
“Tell me your address. I will bring the ingredients.” Fuck. He wants to cook at my apartment. Before I can answer, Rachel grabs the phone from me and presses the mute button.
“Tell him to meet you at my place. I will stay at yours.” She tells me in a rush, then pushes the button again.
She knows I am self-conscious about my small apartment.
It’s home but it’s a little embarrassing for someone at my age to still live in that small space.
I love it, though. It’s home. It’s mine.
Plus I am almost never there. I spend all my time either with Rachel or at work.
It’s just a place I go for a quick nap and a wardrobe change.
“I am house-sitting for Rachel. Can we meet there?” Rachel gives me a thumbs-up for the good job I am doing, telling lies to this man.
“Where is Rachel going to be?” He sounds genuinely worried, and I am not sure if it’s because he saw through my lie or if he simply is worried about his buddy’s girl.
“She will stay at a friend’s house for the night, and she doesn’t like leaving her house completely empty. Plus she has a bigger kitchen.” I lie again and Rachel approves it with a nod.
“A male friend?” Kai’s voice comes clearly from Leo’s side. “Shut up Kai.” Leo yells, and I start laughing.
“I am not sure. She didn’t tell me.” With how easy those lies leave my mouth, I am worrying even myself. It shouldn’t be that easy to lie.
“See you in an hour.” Leo ends the call, and I turn to Rachel.
“I think I have a date.” I say with a grin.
“You definitely have a date.” She smirks. “And Kai is jealous.”
“Kai is indeed jealous.” I confirm.