Josh wasn’t sure what to expect. Based on the text messages he had received from Siobhan, it sounded like she wasn’t much in the habit of cooking, much less, cooking vegetarian food. But when a small, energetic woman who was definitely not Siobhan opened the door to the apartment, Josh introduced himself to the woman who turned out to be Siobhan’s roommate/BFF, Jessica, and then inhaled deeply. “Mmm, that smells good.”
“Thanks,” said Jessica. “I mean, I thank you on behalf of Siobhan, who definitely did all the cooking.” She gestured to the dining room where Siobhan was setting the table.
“Don’t let her fool you, Josh. I helped, but she did most of the cooking.”
“Well, it smells wonderful,” he said, his gaze flipping back and forth from one to the other since he didn’t know which one to address. He finally landed on Jessica and said, “Are you … joining us?”
“Oh, goddess, no! No, I was just helping Siobhan set the mood, if you will.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively at Josh, who didn’t know how to respond.
“I’ll just light some candles and be on my way.”
“No candles. No candles!” said Siobhan, placing her friend’s purse over her shoulder and shoving her out the door before turning to her date with a smile. “Sorry about her. Although she did save my ass with dinner, so I guess I shouldn’t be apologizing for her. She’s great, but she can be a bit … much, at times.”
Josh laughed. “I can see that. But it also looks like she’s a really great friend.”
“She is. You won’t find anyone more loyal or helpful that Jessica.”
Josh nodded, not know what to say to that, and Siobhan mentally kicked herself. Why was she talking up her best friend to her date?
“Should we eat?” said Josh.
“Yes! OMG, yes. I’m so sorry. Of course we should.”
Josh laughed gently at her awkwardness as he made his way into the dining room.
“I chilled a bottle of chardonnay, but I wasn’t sure if you drink alcohol,” said Siobhan. “We can just drink water, or-”
“Chardonnay would be great. Do you want me to help open it?”
“No, of course not. I’ll get it. You just make yourself comfortable.”
Josh took a look at the serving bowl full of pasta and vegetables in what looked like some kind of cream sauce. It smelled amazing.
Siobhan stopped in the doorway from the kitchen. “Oh, goddess, I just realized you said you’re not a vegan, but I never asked whether you do dairy.”
Josh smiled. “Not usually, but I can make an exception.”
“Oh, no. Are you sure?”
“Positive. This smells too good to pass up.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. You have everything here I could have asked for.”
Siobhan smiled and bent her head, focusing on her task of opening the wine bottle to avoid meeting those deep brown eyes of his. “I don’t know why I thought this would be a good idea. I don’t even cook.”
“Well, I do. Maybe next time you can come over to my place and I’ll teach you how to make some of my favorite vegetarian recipes.”
Siobhan smiled and then wondered what was happening to her that she was actually smiling at the prospect of learning to make a vegetarian meal. Who even was she right now?
Finally, the wine was poured and the two of them clinked their glasses together to celebrate their third official date.
To be continued…