Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 93713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“Here. Take more.” He put more pieces on my plate before I could turn down the offer.
“Okay. This place officially rocks. Thank you for bringing me.”
“You’re welcome.” He casually tucked a piece of bread next to my lamb and sauce, as if we dined together all the time. “Thank you for being such good company.”
“You think so? Most people find me kind of boring.”
“I’m not most people.” His confident smile did something strange to my insides, making my stomach wobble.
“Ha. Just wait till I start talking documentaries.”
“Told you. I’d watch that prairie dog thing.” Malik stretched like people who shared my interests were as common as dandelions.
“And I can’t shut up about this new tower defense game.” I tried raising the ante, testing for the point at which Mr. Cool had enough of me.
“Seriously? Which one?” Malik leaned forward.
“Village Raiders. By the Space Villager people.”
“Oh yeah? That’s out now? I’d heard it was going to drop soon.”
“It’s the most addictive thing I’ve played in years. And the graphics and music are killer.”
“Oh, you shouldn’t have told me that. Now, I’ll have to get it tonight, even though I probably shouldn’t. It’ll mess with my sleep schedule, but I can’t wait. I suck at self-denial.”
“Me too.” I laughed because, as full as I was, I knew I’d scarf whatever dessert the server brought. “I logged like fourteen hours straight when it first came out a few weeks back.”
“Hey…” Malik tilted his head, considering me so long that I shifted in my chair. “Would you want to come over after dinner? Play a few rounds? It’s still early.”
“Like I said, I suck at denying myself fun.” The wine and food and the more wine had softened me to the point that more time together sounded like an excellent idea. Far better than being alone in my apartment. “You’re on.”
Chapter Four
Malik
I wasn’t ready for the evening to end. Avery was surprisingly great company, and encouraging him to try new foods had been fun. More fun than a lot of my dates, honestly, as both Lacey and my college girlfriend had hated me ordering for them. Avery, though, seemed to genuinely enjoy me directing his meal. He even let me pick the dessert wine to match the platter of sweets, including some divine basbousa cakes. Between both wines and the cocktail, I had a pleasant buzz. Not tipsy, but definitely warm and loose.
Like Avery, I’d used a rideshare app to get to the restaurant, so we took a cab back to my place. The apartment complex was a typical newer one with identical units whose main virtue was the reasonable rent. I liked the open kitchen and higher ceilings but could do without the white walls and lack of natural light. Still, I’d done my best to make it livable and not feel like I’d been exiled to a box after Lacey kicked me out of our trendy little loft.
After slipping off my shoes, I flipped on the lights while Avery stood near the door, looking around, gaze landing on the tapestry rug I’d placed between the couch and TV.
“Nice rug.”
“Thanks. It’s from Tabriz. Mom has an almost identical one. But this one closer to the door is from a trip to Ladik. Got the wall hanging in Turkey also, in Hereke.” The reds and oranges of the rugs made me feel more at home like I was visiting my mom’s Georgetown townhome, which was awash in colors and textures.
“It’s like a real adult apartment. I like the vibe.” Avery continued to look around as he wandered closer to the couch area where I stood. He’d followed my lead and removed his shoes. “Dude, you even have matching furniture.”
“Not a lot of it though.” I laughed. I had a single couch and no chairs, but the sofa’s midcentury styling matched the end tables and the entertainment center, which housed the TV and my various game consoles. “But yeah, what I have, I like to match.”
“Well, it’s nice.” Avery eyed the couch warily.
“The couch is big enough for both of us.” I gestured for him to sit, then did the same. “Let me download the game really fast.”
“I like the music already,” I said once it finished installing.
“They paid extra for this hot new game composer who’s been winning all the awards lately.” Avery took the controller I offered him. “We can join an online raiding party which is fun but runs the risk of randos, or we can play the two-person team version, which goes quicker, but no need for headsets and trying to converse with strangers.”
“Two-person.” I didn’t need to think overly hard about the decision. “We make a good team and don’t need stupid chatter.”
“Word.” Avery grinned at me as he clicked the two-person option, which turned out to be fun and fast-paced. And Avery was, predictably, fantastic at the game, not only in terms of firepower but also strategy, showing a cunning, crafty side I hadn’t seen from him before.