4: DINNER

Clare had not yet understood what message Luke was trying to pass. Did he like Grace or did he want Grace to think that he likes her? Why had he blinked and stared at me the whole time? Does he want me to help him out with Grace? This sure was going to be a tricky one.

The two ladies walked around for several hours before they finally went back home. They were exhausted from their walk but it was helpful. It had managed to keep Clare’s mind from thinking about Cane the entire day. They laid on the couch while watching one of their favorite TV shows before something that changed their friendship forever happened.

There was a knock at the door. Clare felt lazy and showed no intention of answering it. At the second ring, Grace decided to open the door assuming it was Cane who had come to ruin their mood. She was shocked and became speechless. A tall handsome man, with dark brown eyes and beautifully curved lips was standing before her.

“Oh my! You live here?”

His deep voice made her have shivers and knees weak. She recollected herself and spoke.

“No…this is my friend’s place…what are you doing here?”

“I moved in yesterday… I happened to have prepared a lot of dinner so I said I should share with my neighbor… a good excuse to meet them.”

“Oh… okay. Please come in. I’m glad we shared our table with you otherwise it would have been so awkward right now.”

“Who is it Grace? If it’s Cane tell him to go away or we will call the police!”

“It is me neighbor! Glad to see you again.”

Clare almost fell from the couch on seeing Luke walk inside her house. Her eyes bulged as she waited for her friend to close the door and join them.

“You look shocked Clare.”

Her name sounded more cool when it came from his mouth. She shook her head and smiled.

“Should we be worried about you? Are you stalking us?”

Clare had always been a straight shooter and had no problem with what strangers thought of her. At the cafeteria he seemed hot but now he had made Clare quite nervous. Grace walked back in happily and sat next to her friend.

“So, apparently, your new neighbor is Luke. He moved in yesterday.”

Clare could not help but curse within herself. This was not going to be a good relationship.

“Welcome to the neighborhood Luke.” Clare said as she forced a smile on her face.

It was just now that she had gotten rid of a man from her life and now she was thinking of another. One who had moved right next to her apartment.  She looked at Luke who was also looking at her and decide to take it easy on the guy. Perhaps she had mistaken he intentions. There was no problem in wanting to know a fellow neighbor.

“Your neighbor decided that we should all have dinner together this evening.” Grace said sarcastically.

“That is really sweet of you. I could use some home made food right now.” I added.

Luke shyly looked away and smiled. Grace took the honors of preparing the table for all of us. Being left alone with Luke,  Clare wanted to understand the man’s intention which he had not made clear earlier at the Cafeteria. His character had slightly changed, he was a man of few words and of course full of surprises. This time he did not send  mixed signals even though Grace was not around. He spoke gently and paid attention fully to our conversation. I became a little envious of Grace, he was about to find himself a good man.

We had started off at a bad note but he was proving to be a good guy. He was a food looking man with his character in tacked!

“Earlier I was afraid of asking for you phone number. I was trying o make new friends.”

“why?”

“I don’t know… I find Grace to be looking like a more friendly person than you are. Don’t be offended”

“I am offended but I’ll forgive you because you cooked… your gut did  not lie to you. I would not have given you my number.”

“She’s lying, she was just in bad mood… she is so friendly and sweet.” Grace joined in.

Grace took the food from Luke and served it, the three all went and sat at the dinning table. They all talked about what impresses them on meeting new people- a topic that would make all  of them feel comfortable. Luke had not yet earned the right them beyond that and they did not try to meddle in his business either.

After diner, Luke did not extend his stay and this impressed both Clare and Grace. He went back to his place. Clare and Grace pretended for about ten minutes not be interested in talking about Luke.  Then Grace broke her hold when she could not keep it to herself anymore.

“I think I like Luke! And he likes me too. And if he does not like me yet, I’ll make him think of me non-stop! He is the kind of man I have been dreaming of and I will not let him slip away.”

“Oh you are really that determined?”

“Yes! I mean, he liked me first…isn’t that the reason why he asked for my number earlier? You know I think she saw us yesterday while moving in and followed us to the cafeteria earlier.”

“If that is the case then you should be careful… only psychopaths go to such extends to get someone’s attention.”

“Aren’t we all?… and you know I like a little crazy to spice up everything.”