Blueprint for Romance

Weird, Right?

Damon

“I’m clearly missing the point,” Molly remarked from her spot on the couch. After I had gone to see Vanessa, I had gone straight to my best friend for advice.

“What do you mean?” I asked as I grabbed a soda can from her fridge before I joined her on the couch.

“Why does it matter what she does?” Molly questioned and I sighed. “I mean, it’s not like the two of you are dating…if you were, I could completely understand your concern,”

“I’m not concerned,” I pointed out hopelessly.

“Sure, you are,” she argued. “You came in here, bitching about how Vanessa is going to buy a house, and she didn’t tell you. That you had to hear the news from Miller…I mean, what the f**k, Damon? You should just be happy for her,”

“I am happy for her,” I quickly said. I truly was happy for her. Vanessa was currently living in the upstairs apartment of the café. In fact, she even had a roommate.

“Then? I mean, she’s been living with her co-workers since she moved to Chasea,” Molly reminded me, and I nodded. “Lillian offers the upstairs apartment to her employees. No one else…maybe Vanessa has decided she wants something a bit more permanent,”

“I hear you,” I said as I popped open the soda and took a long drink. Molly resumed filing her nails and I sighed even louder.

“What is it, Damon?”

“Don’t you think it’s even a little weird?” I asked curiously as I watched her closely. Molly didn’t miss a beat as she glanced over at me.

“What is weird about it?”

“She works at the café. She lives in the upstairs apartment. How the hell can she even afford to buy a house? A house!”

“Are you jealous?” Molly then asked and I quickly shook my head. However, the longer Molly stared at me, the more I wondered if maybe I was jealous. “You don’t know her finances, Damon. Again…you two aren’t dating. You have no reason to know what her finances look like. I mean…what do you even know about her past?” Molly suddenly looked intrigued as she turned in her seat to look at me.

“I know that she moved here two years ago. I know she cut herself off from her family…and that’s about it,” I admitted. “It’s been a bit of a touchy subject, so I haven’t really pushed her for more information,”

“Well, maybe she has some savings or something…who knows, and honestly, who cares?”

“I care!” I exclaimed. “I mean, I don’t care, but it is a bit strange,”

“No, it isn’t. I mean, look at us. Your stinking rich sister and her husband bought these apartments for us. Without question. Without expectations. Just like that…”

“I highly doubt Vanessa is some secret billionaire,” I remarked with a chuckle.

“I didn’t say that. I just mean that it is possible she’s been saving up, and now she has enough to buy a place of her own,”

“A house with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry and laundry?” I asked curiously. Molly looked surprised but then she shrugged.

“Erik and Naomi’s house is bigger…”

“Exactly! Why would she want such a big house?” I asked before I took another sip of my drink. Molly opened her mouth to answer, but then she shook her head.

“Ok, so maybe it is a little weird,”

“Thank you,”

“Look…just ask her,” she said, and I nodded. I wasn’t sure how to bring it up, but Vanessa had promised to explain everything. “For all you know, she is planning for her future,”

“Right,”

“So…maybe that’s why she picked a place that needs some work. That way she can ask your opinion,” I glared over at her in horror. Surely Vanessa wouldn’t be that conniving. “That’s just me being a b***h, Damon. I highly doubt that’s her idea,”

“No, I don’t…no, I don’t think she’d do something like that,”

“But I do think she is looking to settle down in a place of her own,” Molly pointed out as she set her nail file aside and checked out her nails. “Or maybe she’s met someone else, and she wants to impress them,”

“Molly!” I cried out, and my best friend started to laugh.

“Or maybe she is just trying to impress you,”

“Ugh, I can’t with you!” I remarked as I got up. “Night,” I added, as I headed for the door.

“Nighty night, sugarplum,” Molly called out. I shook my head as I left her apartment and entered mine next door. I headed straight for my bedroom and quickly cleaned up. I wasn’t sure if Vanessa would actually come by after her shift at work, but I wanted the place to at least look presentable. I threw the dirty laundry into the basket and changed the sheets on my bed. I cleaned up the bathroom and kitchen before I got started on dinner. I could have ordered in or eaten over at Molly’s place, but I was in the mood for some creamy garlic spaghetti. It didn’t take too long, and I made sure to leave some for Vanessa if she wanted to eat. I got comfortable on the couch and switched on the TV to settle in for the night. By the time the movie was over, and my plate was empty, it was well after eight. I checked my phone, but there was nothing. I considered calling Vanessa, but I didn’t want to bother her if she had changed her mind.

“f**k,” I groaned as my door suddenly opened. Vanessa came in and shut the door behind her. She looked tired, and I immediately went over to her. I pulled her into my arms and just held her for a minute. “Are you ok?” I asked as I pulled back.

“Just tired,”

“Hungry?” I asked, but she shook her head. “Ok, why don’t you go and take a bath, and then we’ll go to bed?” I suggested. Vanessa nodded, and I watched as she headed for my bedroom. I went into the kitchen to warm up some milk in hopes that it would help her sleep. I wasn’t sure why, but suddenly I was very worried about her.