“Yeah. Can you tell I hate the stuff?” I picked up my fork and watched her walk to the cupboard and pull out a glass. “Where’d you learn to cook?” I asked.
She took her time as she opened the fridge and poured orange juice in the glass before turning around to answer me. “My mom had three jobs when I was growing up, so I was by myself a lot. I had to learn how to cook or eat peanut butter and toast for the rest of my life.”
I paused, thinking. “You like peanut butter?”
Something about her smile triggered a faint memory, but it was gone before I could catch it.
“It’s my favorite,” she answered.
“Okay, I’ll get some, then.”
“You don’t have to,” she said quickly.
“I know.” And because I knew she’d argue if I said grass was green, I changed the subject. “Hey, I have an idea of how we can make this meal fun.”
She gave me a dry look as she placed the glass of orange juice beside my plate and moved behind the breakfast bar. Away from my reach.
“You know those sexy French maid outfits?” I continued, scooping eggs, bacon, and toast onto my plate. “Small black skirt, white apron, lacy headband? Of course you’d have to have the white stockings and high heels too. Oui, Monsieur Lockhart, I’ll get that for you. Oui, Monsieur Lockhart, you look fantastique today. Fantastique.”
“I have a question for you,” she started, standing in front of me with her hands on her hips. “What exactly do you want to do if you grow up?”
With that, she turned and left.
What the hell did I do now? Bummed, I put my fork down. Leaning back in the chair, I rubbed my face.
I wanted her to eat breakfast with me.
I wanted her company.
What the hell was happening to me?
I felt like a dog begging for attention.
I was Caleb Lockhart. I never begged for a girl’s attention. They were the ones who flocked around me, wanting my company.
I realized that I had been spoiled, and that this girl was very, very different.
Looked like I got my wish after all.
* * *
Veronica
My heart was pounding by the time I locked the bedroom door behind me. Still gripping the doorknob, I leaned my forehead against the wood and closed my eyes.
Did Caleb have to walk around half-naked all the time?
The guy was a walking poster boy. It was hard to pretend he didn’t affect me. Sooner or later he’d see right through my stoic facade.
Caleb moved with relaxed self-confidence, too aware of his effect on the female population and very comfortable with it. He was exactly the type of guy I stayed away from.
Wasn’t it ironic that I was living under the same roof with him now?
Pushing away from the door, I glanced at my watch. The campus library should be open. I needed to use the computer there to apply for jobs online and print copies of my résumé so I could bring them to businesses downtown. I had done this a few times before—to no avail—but I had to keep trying.
Esther Falls is one of the biggest cities in Manitoba, with a population of six hundred thousand. But the economy had not recovered fully after the recession. Now more than ever, it was hard to find a job, especially one that wouldn’t conflict with my classes. I didn’t know if I could even afford to finish my courses now.
Maybe it was time to move to a different province where jobs were more plentiful, but I loved being surrounded by the lakes of Manitoba. I appreciated the friendliness of the locals, the diversity of cultures and social practices. Besides, it wasn’t like I could afford to move again.