The Best Man novel Chapter 20

"That was actually kind of fun"

"I know right?", he chuckled. "Who knew you could be so funny to watch?", he joked, and I playfully shoved him, and he didn't stop laughing.

"But you're right, this was fun", he locked eyes with me again

"Would you like a glass of wine?", I stood up abruptly, interrupting the moment

"Yeah sure", he nodded in agreement and I turned to leave, I could feel his eyes on me the entire time as I poured both of us a glass and walked back to sit next to him again

"Thanks", he bought his glass closer to mine, initiating a toast. "To you finally learning to use chopsticks"

I smiled before we clicked our glasses together, before we both took a sip. As if on cue, the lights went out, and it became really dark.

"What the-", I felt him fidget in his seat, as if he was going to stand up but chose not to cause it would look like he was afraid of the dark or something

"What just happened?"

"We've been experiencing power cuts these past few weeks. The landlord promised us it would be fixed by the end of this week but alas", I searched for my phone to switch on the flashlight.

"The power should be back in about two hours or so"

"So you just wait?"

"It's not like there's anything we can do", I shrugged before standing up to get the candles and I felt his presence nearby

"Wait", his hand covered mine as he stopped me from lighting the candles. "Let me do it"

I gave him the candle lighter, and he lit up the votive candles, slowing bringing brightness in the room with some light reflecting through the glasses on his face

"What's with the glasses by the way?", I leaned on the counter, resting my cheek in the palm of my hand and looked at him

"One of my contact lenses fell out, and I couldn't find it, so that's why", he turned to look at me

"Weird seeing me like this, isn't it?"

"You look like a nerd", I pursed my lips together, suppressing a laugh, and he laughed softly

"I tend to get that a lot but thanks ", he shrugged as both of us took two candles each and distributed them around the room, and it wasn't that dark anymore. I took my phone and shuffled other Dvsn songs on my playlist.

"Now that's what I call setting the mood", he joked as he sat next to me, and we continued eating

"So, you live alone?", he asked, and I nodded my head. "No kids, pets....anything?"

"None at all", I finished chewing and swallowed. "What about you?"

"None whatsoever. It's just me, myself and I", he shrugged his shoulders before clearing his throat.

"So don't you want to have any pets?"

"I would love to have a cat or two", my lips turned up in a smile when I just thought about those cute, adorable creatures. I absolutely adored them simply because they are cute and cuddly.

"Why haven't you?"

"With my busy schedule plus living alone, I'm incapable of taking care of one", I drew a breath still looking at him, his eyes dragging me deep into a bottomless pit without any guarantee of return

"Are those the only reasons why?"

"I'm also kinda scared that of having a cat only for it to hate me or something. It would totally break me"

His eyes never left mine as I spoke, attentively listening to me ranting

"I find that hard to believe"

"Believe what?"

"That a cat would be incapable of liking you. I mean have you seen yourself on the mirror?", he scoffed. "What's not to like?"

Waiting for the perfect timing

No such thing, no such thing

I'm just living for the now

May not be righteous

Don't judge me, don't judge me

He started singing along, not once breaking eye contact with me as he happily danced while siting down, seemingly enjoying goofing around. He had this impeccable aura, I'm just couldn't explain it and why I seem to be drawn to it.

One more shot, I'm too lit

I'm not indecisive

I already know who I'm choosing

Choosing

Try and don't take it too far

We've already passed too far

If we fuck where we are

Wouldn't that be outlandish?

He rose his brow as he said the last part of the lyrics as an actual question he was asking me. I cleared my throat before standing on my feet to clear the takeways.

"It's really getting late-", I was interrupted by seeing him towering above me, my breath hitched in my throat, feeling my heart pound against my chest