Legacy (Completed)

Chapter 17

"Hey," Ren started before I had gotten a few steps out of the car. I turned back to him. "Do you suppose I could come in if I made you dinner?"

"How could I turn down a freely cooked meal?" I answered, secretly happy that he offered. He shot me a grin, turning off his car in the parked area and stepping out. The car locked behind him as we made our way out of the parking and up to my apartment.

"What is on the menu for today then, Chef?" I asked in teasing voice as we entered my apartment. I sat on one of the stools lining the island, watching Ren shuffle through my refrigerator. He moved to rummage through my cabinets.

"I have the perfect palatable dish for us to have a try at this wonderful night," he announced, pulling out a box of macaroni and cheese. "And cheesecake for desert!"

"I see, so very culinary of you," I remarked, watching him fumble around looking for pots with amusement.

"I cook now." He smiled back at me, filling the pot with water and turning the stove on.

"So, what are some hobbies of yours?" Ren asked as he settled on the stove in front of me, the pan resting against the flat top.

"Well, I enjoy reading, and watching old criminal case movies. I've tried dabbling in drawing, but I couldn't make anything but stick figures. I love hiking when I have the time."

"So, you're pretty boring," he teased, pouring the noodles into the pot that was boiling. I rolled my eyes.

"And I like watching people," I shared, hoping to show him that I wasn't boring. He paused his pouring, looking up at me.

"Watching people? Now that's not creepy or anything," he joked, resuming to empty out the bag. When he finished, he tossed it into the trash can.

"Every Friday after I was done with work, I would take an apple and a coffee down to Noeman Park. I had a specific bench I would sit on. I would watch people, and snoop in on their personal lives for fun. People in groups were interesting, seeing how they acted as opposed to their thoughts," I explained to him, probably a wistful look coming over me as I thought back to the times I had done it. I need to do it again some time.

"Still creepy," he chimed in, straining the noodles. He grabbed some butter and milk, mixing it in with the powdered cheese. He dished out the food into two bowls, handing me one.

"Silverware is in the left drawer," I changed the subject, pointing to the drawer I was meaning. "I'll take a spoon."

"Spoon with Mac and cheese? What is wrong with you?" He chided, grabbing a fork and a spoon. He handed me the spoon, keeping the fork for himself. I rolled my eyes as I headed to the couch.

"It's easier to scoop up with noodles with," I defended, grabbing the blanket. I realized something, setting my bowl down on the coffee table and heading back to the kitchen. I pulled two glasses out of the cabinet.

"Red wine okay?" I asked over my shoulder.

"Ya!" he hollered back. I quickly poured us both a glasses, cradling the bottom of the cup where the stem met it. I carried one in each hand, giving Ren one as I settled on one side of the couch. He settled on the other, sharing a red blanket I had thrown over the back of the couch. I set my wine down, grabbing my bowl.

"Tell me a story," I started, a grin on my face as I took my first bite of macaroni.

~

"I asked if we need wine, and she told me: 'No, I need wine, you need to put your pants back on'!" I laughed at his story, throwing my head back against the back of the couch.

"Why would you not wear pants at someone else's house?" I questioned in between cackles. He took a bite out of his cheesecake.

"Because life is so freeing without them!" he defended. I chuckled more, just imagining the woman's reaction.

"She was probably all like, 'Pants. On. Now'." He nodded, chortling as he set his plate to the side.

"That's exactly what she was like! Can you just imagine her?" He mocked her face, gesturing his hands around. I giggled, shaking my head at his antics. We finished our desert, spending more time sharing our stories. Eventually he got up from the couch, heading towards the kitchen.

"I suppose I should head back to my house before it gets too late," Ren announced, setting his plate into the sink. I stood up, setting my own with his.

"I'll walk you to the door then," I offered with a smile. We headed to the door, he opened it, turning back towards me as he stood in the opening. He leaned forward, giving me a hug.

"Thank you for today," he said in my ear, sounding genuine. We pulled back slightly to look at each other, the tension hitting. I watched his eyes drift down to my lips, mine instinctually doing the same. I started to lean forward, him doing the same as he guided my hands from the back of his neck down his back.

And into his... back pockets?

I wasn't going to question it, our lips a breath away from each other. My eyes slid close, my lips parting slightly in preparation for the kiss.

"Now that your hands are in the back pocket, separating the wallet from the body, it's much easier to take it without being noticed. Then you just take it and go." I pulled back in surprise the whiplash of the moment hitting me hard.

"What?" I asked dumbly. His cheeks were stained a deep red, as if he couldn't believe he had done that himself. He took a step back, so he was in the hallway.

"A lesson in pickpocketing. Gotta go," he answered shortly and awkwardly, taking off down the hallway. I leaned out my door, watching him retreat.

"I didn't need a lesson in pickpocketing but thanks, I guess?" I shouted after him. I set back, confusion spreading through my body.

What the hell just happened?