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Bob was aware of his face flushing with laughter, the corners of his mouth aching from all the smiling, and he wasn’t able to recall the last time he’d been this amused. He presumed it had been the wine he’d allowed himself to indulge in with Linda, the red substance going on a smooth journey down his throat with each sip. He unbuttoned his dress shirt, the loose collar comforting against his neck as his tie loosened from its iron grip around his throat.
“Okay, okay, next question,” Linda said, her chair creaking as she leaned forward. He was so close, he was able to catch the faint, sweet aroma of wine lingering on her breath, which somehow wasn’t unpleasant. Her cheeks had long since become rosy, and her face had a crooked, ever-so-slight grin plastered on it. Even in his state of inebriation, he couldn’t help but be awe-struck by her alluring presence. Who else could look this graceful and airy after so much alcohol? “What is the weirdest fact about you?”
“You first.” He clenched his jaw and forced his voice to remain level, though it was a challenge.
“I asked the question.” She said and leaned on his shoulder, an automatic movement, as she let out another laugh. “Sorry, I can’t stop now—I just laugh more around you.”
The sentiment filled Bob with a comforting warmth, emanating from his heart and creating a pleasant sensation throughout his being, and he also shared it. It was his first time at Linda’s apartment, at least staying over, and as he entered her apartment for the first time, a feeling of familiarity overwhelmed him, as if he had been coming over all his life. He couldn’t believe it was already past midnight because it seemed they’d just begun conversing.
“All right, I’ll go first.” He said and strung an arm around her shoulders, another automatic movement. “I’m kind of estranged from my dad.”
Linda jolted upright, her lips parting in shock, a sober expression taking over her face. “What happened?”
“Well, it was a lot of things, and all the signs were there that it would happen at some point. You already know I used to work at his restaurant, but he would never let me be creative. When I was fourteen, I came up with this idea for a “Burger of the Day”, a burger based on a pun I thought of. It was the “Baby You can Chive My Car Burger” with little pickle wheels and everything.”
Linda gave him a gentle nudge, the warmth of her hand lingering on his shoulder. “Are you kidding me?”
“Yes, it was kind of a dumb idea, come to think of it, I don’t know—”
“What? No, no, no. That is the best, most genius thing I’ve ever heard. You never told me you love burgers, and you’re so creative with them, too!”
His idea had her captivated, not just liking it, but adoring it. His eyes lingered on her lips, stained by wine, and his curiosity consumed him about how they would feel under his. He didn’t want to just be curious anymore.
“People knew us for our burgers at my dad’s diner, and nothing tasted better, at least back then. When he found out about my burger, he threw it away while scolding me, calling it a joke. After some more years of this, I decided I couldn’t take his judgment anymore. The breaking point was when he renamed the diner “Big Bob and Son’s”, and I could imagine what kind of future this spelled for me. I haven’t talked to him since then.”
“My God, my answer is so much worse compared to yours.” She said, her voice soft, and a gentle hum of contemplation.
“I’m sure it’s not, Lin.” He said the nickname without warning, the word tumbling out of his mouth like an old friend. He felt a warmth spreading across his face, and he shifted his gaze to his hands as he tried to calm himself. “Oh, God. Just forget I said any—”
The feeling of her lips on his cut him off. They were indeed soft, giving him a rush of pleasure more intoxicating than the wine. It gave him a thrill, a rush of excitement almost alien to him. He responded to her kiss with a deeper one of his own, his hand exploring the softness of her hair. He relished the thick, luxurious locks adorning her head and let his fingers thread through them. She tightened her eyes shut and curved her lips into a satisfied smile, a sure sign that she was enjoying it.
When they separated, Linda seemed to shrink in on herself, her shyness palpable. “Was that too much?”
“If anything, that was too little.”
Oh God, did he just say that out loud?
He took a deep breath and grabbed his wineglass, feeling the rough texture of the stem in order to forget his mistake.
But to his surprise, Linda erupted in a fit of laughter, snorting with each breath. “You’re telling me. I couldn’t help myself. I love the way you stutter when you’re flustered, and your face turns so red.”
“So you like the nickname?” He asked, allowing his eyes to travel to hers again.
“One-thousand percent. It’s perfect, considering I call you Bobby.”
He plastered his face with a wide, idiotic smile when reminded of the nickname “Bobby”, and he wanted to bask at the moment, but then recalled the subject at hand. “So, what is the weirdest fact about you?”
“Oh, right!” She leaned back a bit to prepare to tell her story. “When my sister, Gayle, and I were younger, she got a goldfish she fell in love with right away, but she was so attached, our parents were concerned. Gayle was so fragile the loss of the goldfish would’ve been like a thousand tiny daggers piercing her heart. So when it died, instead of telling her, they just replaced it with an identical-looking goldfish. After they’d done this a few times, they told her the goldfish must’ve been one with a longer lifespan than most. This soon evolved into them saying her goldfish was somehow immortal, and she believed all of it.”
“She did?” Her story spellbound him, as her hands flew through the air with every point she made. She had a magical way of describing each scene, making the listener feel like they were right there.
“Oh yes, and then one of her replacement goldfish got “sent off” to be “studied” at the aquarium.” She said, punctuating her words by making finger quotes with her hands whenever appropriate. “In reality, it just got sent to a random family who wanted it. She still tries sending it birthday cards every year.”
“I think yours is better than mine.”
“Nah. It’s a fun story to tell, though.” She said and leaned against his chest, and he never wanted her to move. “You’ve never told me about your mother, though.”
He almost sucked in air through his teeth. His mother was a sore subject, a wound he was still trying to heal.
“I—well... she, uh, died.” He said, deciding not to sugarcoat the truth. “She died when I was around fourteen.”
Linda’s eyes widened, and she placed a gentle hand on his arm. She hugged him, and her powerful arms wrapped around him in a secure cocoon of warmth. “I’m so sorry. Does talking about her help? Or does it make you feel worse?”
He loathed any expression of pity. It was the reason he didn’t enjoy bringing his mother up on a regular basis. But Linda always made things feel different, in a way that was hard to explain.
He could sense her sincerity and when she hugged him, he felt secure in a way he had never had before.
“Talking about her does help.” He said, intertwining their fingers together. “It was cancer. Leukemia. It was rough.”
He let out a sigh, leaning back, “We used to do everything together, like make gingerbread houses. But you know what?”
“What?”
“When I look at you, I’m reminded of her in a strange, yet comforting way. You both don’t care about what other people think. You both make me laugh, more than I ever would if I were alone all the time.”
“Bobby, that’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. I’ll make gingerbread houses with you.”
“That would be great.”
“You must miss her a lot.”
“I do.” Somehow, this felt very cathartic. The brief and straightforward statement validated his emotions, creating a feeling of comfort. Against all odds, he was glad he told Linda about his mother. Relieved, even. The feeling of security surprised him whenever he was around her. “She had a beautiful name, too. Lily.”
“Oh, that name is so special.” She managed a smile, but her stomach’s low rumble made her cheeks flush. “We’re having a moment, stomach, not now.”
He let out a deep, throaty laugh. “If you’re hungry, I can whip something up.”
She lifted her wrist to her face to check her watch, the ticking of the second hand audible. “Oh God, it’s one in the morning already. I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“No, I want to. You okay with having a burger?”
“A burger sounds delicious.”
An exciting idea then struck him, “Maybe I can make you the “Baby, You Can Chive My Car” burger! I haven’t tried to make it since that day.”
She nodded her approval, and he felt the cool tile floor as they entered the kitchen. He got to work right away, hunting down all the ingredients he’d need. As he started to cook, he fell into a familiar dance, the scent of sizzling burger meat wafting through the air, stirring up old memories.
✧ ✧ ✧
Linda felt a trance-like state come over her as she watched Bob cook, the warmth of the stove radiating through the room. He was a madman, a wild, delightful madman, as he danced around the kitchen.
His movements entranced her as he diced, his expression pinched in concentration. The sound of the knife striking the cutting board was steady and soothing. If she stared close enough, she could even see the sweat emerging from his pores, forming a steady bead on his forehead and dripping down to his eyebrow. The one thing keeping her from wanting the moment to last forever was her own hunger, creating a dull ache in her stomach.
His steps were heavy, as if he could hear her thoughts, and was determined to get to her. He presented her with a finished burger, nestled on a porcelain plate that he had polished to a shine. The aroma of the burger’s sauce and meat mingled together in harmony, creating a delicious smell that filled her nostrils. The burger consisted of, as Bob had mentioned, four small pickle wheels to create the illusion of a car. She could also see chives stuffed within, adding another green aspect to the meal.
The texture was so perfect it was almost too beautiful to consume. Almost.
With just a second’s hesitation, she reached over and grabbed the plate. She took as large a bite of the burger as she was able, and she would’ve gasped if her mouth hadn’t been full. The flavor came in an instant, an explosion of fresh chives, onions, tomatoes, and savory meat all vying for her attention, but in the best possible way. The meal was like a symphony to her tastebuds, its beautiful flavor leaving her in awe. A noise of appreciation slipped out of her mouth, and she went in for another bite. Then another.
Bob’s face lit up with amusement when he saw this, and he intertwined their hands, her appreciating the calloused, weathered feel of his hand. It was noticeable by this and the burgers he grew up spending hours bustling around a busy kitchen. She almost laughed as she realized she was just like a schoolgirl, with her heart fluttering at the sight of the first tall, broad-shouldered man she saw. But Bob was more than tall and broad-shouldered, though his being so was quite impressive. His eagerness to prepare her a meal was palpable despite the trouble, and the result was a feast for the senses. She couldn’t imagine staying awake this late with anyone, not even Ginger. With almost anyone else, she would have run out of topics already, despite her excitable, exuberant persona. In fact, she would have desired a bit of time for herself. She felt she could exist with Bob all the time and be content.
He opened his mouth to speak, but she overwhelmed him with a kiss that was full of yearning and desire. She delighted in the way his eyes grew in shock and the intensity of his fervent response. Instead of running his hands through her hair, he allowed them to drift down her body, exploring the contours of her waistline through her clothing. His hands caught her unaware, making her jump, yet her placing her hands on top of his expressed her desire for him to stay. Just as she was about to move them to a significant area to continue, she heard the telltale jangling sound of keys dropping.
Disoriented, she peeled away from Bob and squinted to distinguish the sound’s origin. It didn’t take long for Ginger to step forward, her face flushed and her body tense.
“I’m so—I can’t believe I walked in on you like this. I thought you left already, Bob.” She snatched the keys from the ground, her hand shielding her face from view as she moved as if trying to grant them some privacy. “Is this where you’ve been all night?”
“Well, Ginger, you just scared us. We didn’t hear you open the door.” Linda paused, her hands resting on the countertop as she closed her eyes and took a moment to compose herself. “It’s not as if we were doing anything, anyway.”
She cast a smirk at Bob, and his flustered eyes paired with his open mouth letting out stutters were glorious.
“It’s my fault, Bob. I should’ve warned you Ginger might come back before we expect.” She tried sitting on the counter, but the smooth surface made it difficult to stay put. Then she felt the weight of Bob’s arms supporting her so she could accomplish this goal, and a familiar heat emanated from her cheeks.
Ginger was always a delight, but it disappointed a part of Linda that her alone time with Bob had concluded. At least he was still staying over for the night, though. Well, what was left of the night, anyway.
“What smells so good in here?” Ginger asked, taking a long whiff of the kitchen.
Linda held back a snort as Bob gave a sheepish rub to the back of his neck. “It’s a long story.”
“I still can’t believe you didn’t come with me tonight, Linda. You could’ve brought Bob with you.”
Linda gave a dismissive shrug, her mouth curving into a half smile. “He didn’t want to go, and I wanted to spend more time with him.”
“Are you feeling all right?” She asked, pressing her palm to Linda’s forehead.
Linda writhed out of her grasp. “Yes, I am. I don’t want to go out every night.”
She gave a wary sigh. “Fine, I’ll stop bothering you now. It’s just that we were looking forward to tonight. It was kind of important to us if you even remember.”
Bob placed his hand on her shoulder, the touch of his skin like a reassuring embrace. “You were looking forward to something?”
“It’s not a big deal. Sure, we marked tonight on our calendar because the new pop sensation, Vinnie, was performing, and we were going to get autographs.” She said, then her voice trailed off, her realization growing heavier with each passing moment, like a pile of bricks. “Oh my God, I’m a terrible friend.”
Ginger gave a wry smile. “But you’re an excellent partner. You gave this night up because Bob wanted to stay in.”
She took a step closer. “Remember the time we planned to go apple-picking, then go on one of those overpriced horse-pulled carriage rides? But then we ran into Oliver, who won you over with a kiss and a smile. I rode the carriage by myself for forty bucks. It was missing a horse.”
“Ging—”
“It’s fine, it’s all fine, not a big deal,” she repeated Linda’s words. “I understand, Linda. I’ve been in love before. You want to be with Bob? Be my guest. Who am I to stop you? What kind of friend would I be?”
The palpable tension in the room kept mounting, and Bob's expression spoke volumes of his need to leave. Ginger gave a laugh, a humorless one which rendered Linda uncomfortable, and scrambled off to her room, leaving the two of them alone.
“I—Do you mind if I leave for a bit? I need to talk to her.” Linda’s shoulder sagged, dragged down by the weight of her best friend’s words, which echoed in her mind.
✧ ✧ ✧
The chill of four in the morning filled the room, bringing Bob to the realization that sleep was no longer an option as a wave of exhaustion hit him. Linda and Ginger had been talking for an hour and a half, which was quite impressive. He turned, his restlessness continuing, then heard the familiar sound of the door opening along with Linda’s footsteps. She soon joined him in the guest bedroom bed, the mattress dipping beneath her weight as she sighed, snuggling close to him.
“Is everything...?” He asked, his voice uncertain, and then he fell silent, the words stuck in his throat. He also knew better. After seeing that display, the air felt thick and oppressive, and he knew they were anything but fine.
“No. Well, sort of. We are in a much better place than before. I… well, I don’t know if I should mention this, but I’ve dated a lot of guys. Ginger’s seen all of them come and go, and I didn’t realize how much I was neglecting her. It took everything I had to apologize and convince her you’re different. And when I say that, I need you to understand. I mean it.” She interlaced her fingers with his and held his gaze with a burning intensity. “I messed up with Ginger tonight, no question, but I would miss a lot of events for you. Bobby, I’m serious. I…”
She looked away as she bit her lip, and he could sense her struggle to find the words, while a feeling of anticipation rose inside of his chest. A feeling he couldn’t withhold anymore, and needed to get into the open before she could finish her thought, “Lin, I can’t believe I’m saying this on just our third date, but I think I love you.”
As the nickname rolled off his tongue, Linda met him with a temporary stunned silence. When she spoke again, her cheeks flushed with joy and her mouth widened into a delighted smile. “I was almost ready to say the same thing, but you got there first.”
“I—oh, wow.” He glanced at his hands, not daring to believe this woman, this astonishing, caring woman, had the same feelings as him. He knew he needed to leave for a moment, to collect his thoughts and come to terms with this new reality. Linda. Linda loving him. Perhaps this was a reality he could get used to faster than expected. “This is going to sound strange, but would you mind if I talked to Ginger, too?”
“Oh, you want to talk to her?” She blinked, and he could tell she was processing this request in her mind.
“I’m sorry if I—”
“You didn’t scare me away, trust me. But now that I have confirmation you love me,” he gave a bashful grin, “I’d like to talk to her, let her know she shouldn’t be upset anymore. You’re friends. You shouldn’t be arguing like this.”
“I’m not sure how receptive she’ll be, but you can try.”
He nodded and made his way down the hall, stopping at the door Linda informed him was Ginger’s. He steeled himself, then eased it open, poking his head within.
She whirled around in response to the noise, and a deep groan of disapproval left her. “Hi, Bob.”
Her unexpected greeting threw him off, but he managed a feeble wave in response. “Hi, Ginger.”
“What do you want?” She didn’t use a demanding tone, more so a resigned one.
“I want to talk to you, even if you don’t.” He made his way to the bed she was occupying, rustling through the piles of laundry, and the fabric felt soft beneath his feet as he sat next to her at last. “First off, you have a right to be upset. I was just as surprised as you that Lin—Linda missed something tonight for me. And I know how hard it can be watching someone you love in a relationship when you’re not in one. But she values you just as much as she values me, and I can tell it in the way she talks about you. She feels horrible for missing out on so many bonding moments with you.”
She tangled her fingers in her hair, releasing a wave of glossy strands as she shook her head. “I know I had a right to be upset. But thank you, I guess.”
She paused, the stillness not pleasant, but not suffocating, either. “I used to like her, you know.”
He blinked, not comprehending.
“I used to have a crush on her.”
His expression shifted to one of shock, his mouth forming a silent “o” as the reality of this fresh development settled over him. He was at a loss, feeling the shock of this news ripple through him. He felt a strange combination of emotions when he heard of someone else having a past infatuation with her. A mix of jealousy, envy, and curiosity.
“Something drew me to her in a way I’d never experienced before. But this didn’t last long, because I value her so much as a friend. And even when I accepted that we’d never be anything more, because I love spending time with her, it still hurt whenever she spent time with anyone else. Chose the company of other people over me.” She gave him a suspicious glance as if she couldn’t believe she was being so vulnerable with a stranger. “Sorry, you shouldn’t be listening to this.”
“No, I want to.”
She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing, “I never said anything about it to her, but I guess seeing you two tonight was my breaking point. But then when you talked to her, I could see her face light up. She told me all about this, about how you make her a different person.”
He tensed, apprehensive of what she meant by this statement.
“You’re a good man, Bob. I used to wish that I could provide her with something better. But you provide her with that something. It offended me she skipped out on tonight, but I realized it takes a special person to get Linda to stay indoors. I guess what I want to say is, thank you for being everything I can’t.”
A laugh escaped his lips before he could stop it, the sound of it startling in the quiet atmosphere. “I should thank you for being so honest and understanding. I never thought I would find someone like her, someone so unlike me.”
“It all makes sense to me.” She leaned back on the bed, the smell of her shampoo filling the air as her hair spread around her in waves. “I think I need some sleep now, though.”
“I’ll leave you to it.” He lifted himself up, feeling the stiff muscles in his knees protest with a loud creak. “I’m glad we… that there are no hard feelings between us.”
“Unless you hurt her. Then you can forget about this entire conversation because I’ll be hunting you down.”
He took a step back, this threat giving him genuine trepidation. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good.”
He turned, leaving her to enter the world of dreamland, excited to fill Linda in on their conversation. However, she seemed so comfortable that she could have drifted off to sleep during the time he was away.