Loss and Longing

But as it turned out, Stevie didn’t need to go looking for Grant. It was only a few hours later that she heard from him again. Her phone rang as she sat watching tv in the living room after dinner that night.

“How about dinner tomorrow night?” he said after greeting her.

“I thought we talked about slow” she said with a laugh.

“I meant in what happens between us, not in us seeing each other” Grant said “but if it’s too fast...”

“No” Stevie assured him. “I was only joking. I’d love to have dinner” but then thinking about the money that she didn’t have she said “how about I cook something in that lovely kitchen of yours.”

“I was thinking of taking you out” he said.

“I’d rather cook if you don’t mind” she said.

Grant was silent for a minute.

Stevie bit her lip as she waited, wondering if she’d offended him. She didn’t want to have to admit, why she didn’t want to go out but she didn’t want to upset him either. She’d done enough of that already. So she was relieved when he just said “okay, tell me what you’ll need and I’ll make sure it’s here.” Even if his tone was serious, at least he hadn’t questioned it.

“I can just bring it with me” she said.

“No way, if you’re cooking, I’ll supply the ingredients.”

“Okay” Stevie said “I’ll text you with a list.

“Good” he said “just come by when you’re ready. I’m looking forward to it” and Stevie was pleased to hear his tone was lighter again.

“Same here” she said “night.”

“Night, Stevie.”