Loved and Alive

Chapter 7

Stifling a yawn, I lazily turn the page of my book as my phone buzzes on the end table by the couch armrest.

I sit up and check the message, then get up with a smile.

"Where are you going?" My roommate asks as I walk to the door.

"Dinner with a friend." I say as I grab my jacket, slipping on a pair of ankle boots with a two-inch heel.

I open the door and step out, pulling it shut just as Robert appears from the stairs.

"Really?" He sighs. "I was coming to get you."

"Well now you don't have to." I say as I pass him and start down the stairs.

~~

I laugh as Robert shakes his head. "It's not that bad."

"No it really is." He says.

"I mean, I personally never gave myself a black eye while bending down to tie my shoes. . ." I furrow my brow. "Honestly, how does that happen?"

"I regret sharing now!" Robert laughs. "I had to tell my friends it was an accident at the gym, or else they'd never stop making fun of me for managing to knee myself in the face."

I shake my head, my shoulders shaking with a silent laugh. "Well, at least you and I know the truth."

"That makes me feel so much better." He says as his phone rings.

I lift my glass and sip my iced tea as he types out a text after rejecting the call.

"Sorry, that was my friend Joey."

I tilt my head. "Can I ask why?" I ask.

"Ah he was asking about the choreography for our next show. I'm working on it with our friend Lauren." He says.

I nod. "You mentioned that. What's the show?"

Robert shrugs. "Not entirely sure. We either do a parody of something popular or make a horror comedy about something. Our last show was a demonic Christmas toy."

"Are you talking about Black Friday?" I ask, my eyes wide.

"Yeah, you've heard of it?" Robert asks.

"Dude, I love Starkid." I say before gasping. "Oh my god!"

"What?"

"That's why I recognize you! I saw Twisted!"

"Really? And you're just making the connection now?" Robert asks.

I blink a few times. "Holy shit. My best friend is a huge fan, like mega fan, of you specifically. She's gonna flip if she hears we're on a date." I say.

"Hopefully it's not the only one we go on."

I smile. "Doubtful. Oh my god, you just became like ten thousand times hotter. Which shouldn't be possible because you were already pretty fucking hot."

Robert laughs, drawing a few dirty looks from other tables.

"Alright, do you want dessert?" He asks, still grinning.

"Yeah always." I say. "Wait, do you like dessert or 'dessert'?"

"The first one." He nods.

"Oh yeah, I hear they have a great tiramisu."

"Tiramisu it is." Robert says.

"Wait wait, say it again." I say with a smile.

Robert furrows his brow for a second. "Tiramisu."

"Sexy."

"You do know we're in public?" He asks, his elbows on the table and leaning in.

"I am aware." I say, copying him.

Robert's eyes drop down to my lips. "We're getting your dessert to go."

I fake gasp. "But I wanted to overly sexually eat it and watch you squirm."

"We both know which of us squirms, and it's not me." Robert says in a low voice.

"So, get dessert, pay, and over to your place?"

"That is the plan." Robert nods while flagging down a waiter.

~~

"Okay but like, how can you not like that show?" I ask as I sit crisscrossed on Robert's couch, finishing my half of the tiramisu.

"Because I just don't. It's not enjoyable." He shrugs, taking both empty plates and setting them aside.

"You like Friends, but don't like Gilmore Girls? I'm sorry, I have to go." I start to stand.

Robert catches my wrist and brings me back down to the couch, closer to him. "I'll watch it if you want to."

"Promise?" I ask as I move to his lap, my arms around his neck.

"Only if you continue to go out with me." He says.

I sit back, purse my lips as I pretend to think. I lean forward and kiss him. "Deal."

Robert smiles as he brings his lips back to mine.

"Ooh chocolaty!" I giggle.

"I'm getting hints of coffee." He says, bringing me back to the kiss.

My left hand slips under the undone top buttons of his shirt.

"Bedroom?"

"To the bedroom." I state.