sweet tooth - karl jacobs

chapter 20- indecisive

"so what do you want to do today?" karl asks as we're on the road. i look up from my phone and shrug.

"i'm very indecisive. you decide," i reply.

"i'm also indecisive."

"i'm sure you're less indecisive than me."

"i most definitely am not."

the childish arguing goes on for a couple of minutes, until we pass by a painting and ceramics studio. both of us stare at it as we pass, then turn to each other.

"did you see that?" i ask.

"i know what we're gonna do today!" karl says joyfully, making a u-turn to the studio. i roll my eyes at his cartoon reference.

"you're such a nerd. has anyone ever told you that?"

"loads of times! my friends that i strea-"

karl cuts himself off quickly as he attempts to parallel park. i assume he's not talking so he can concentrate, so i don't push him to speak just yet.

but once he parks the car and we get out of it (still in our pajamas, by the way), i press the question.

"what were you saying?" i ask, looking up at him.

"oh, just that my friends tell me that i'm a nerd all the time."

"that's what you were gonna say? it sounded like something else..."

"nope," karl says a little too quickly. "nothing else. just my friends."

i nod curtly as he opens the door for me and we head inside the studio. we're greeted by the front desk, who asks us what design we want to paint. karl look at different ceramic ideas, which consists of mugs, vases, piggy banks, plates, and more.

"what are you thinking?" karl asks me. i smirk as i meet his eyes.

"i'm indecisive," i reply for what feels like the fifth time, holding back laughter. karl sighs and shakes his head.

"i've realized. i think i'm gonna do a vase."

"i'll do the same, then."

"two vases, please," karl tells the receptionist while pulling out his credit card. i furrow my eyebrows together after i realize what's going on.

"no," i say. "no no no. you're not paying for me."

"why not?" karl asks as he hands the woman his credit card. i exhale slowly as i watch him take it back.

"that's the kind of thing you do on dates. this isn't a date."

"aww, you really can't stand the thought of us on a date, huh?" karl bends down to my level and lowers his voice. "or... is it that you can't stand the thought of us doing anything together because of something that has happened in your past? and now you don't trust me because you assume all men are dogs? is that it?"

my heart gets caught in my throat, and for a second i forget how to breathe. maybe it's because i hate the fact that karl knows every little thing about me, even when i don't tell him anything. or maybe it's the fact that our faces are mere inches away from each other.

"you're a lot easier to read than you think, blondie." karl smiles mischievously, winks, then straightens back up. i let out a breath i didn't realize i was holding.

"thanks so much!" karl exclaims casually after the woman working tells him he's good to go and hands him back his credit card. we walk over to the section that holds vases and end up picking the same one.