Episode 5: Tell Me About Him
"Oh, someone is finally in love and I'm not aware," Harvey said as she walked into the apartment, dropping her bag on the table with a little thud that matched my mood.
"It's you — were you eavesdropping on my conversation?" I asked, half laughing, half annoyed, turning to face her.
"Don't dodge the question. So you're in love? No wonder you go out every day, smile at nothing, and snap at me for no reason," she said, perching on the edge of my bed and crossing her arms. "Give me the full story. Who has clouded your mind?"
"Don't worry about my man," I started, waving my hand, then stopped. I couldn't help the grin that threatened my control. "You know what? Let's cook different things today. I need practice so I don't mess up on competition day."
"You're having a competition?" she giggled, leaning forward. "Gimme the gist first and then I'll help you."
"Okay, okay — you got me." I settled back against the pillows and let the day replay in my head while I told her. "Your sister is in love with a very handsome man — athletic, cute, dashing, overwhelming…" I let the adjectives tumble out until Harvey held up a hand.
"Stop the praising and tell me how it all happened," she said, smiling, impatient for the juicy part.
"You remember the day I went out to check the neighborhood?" I asked.
"Yes — I remember. You came back angry, muttering to yourself," she said, smirking.
"You've got a good memory," I said. "Anyway, I was walking down the street that day when I saw him. He was too good to be true. I was practically drooling, but I kept my cool. He called out to me and I pretended I didn't hear. Then he walked up to me. Long story short, we were talking when this woman came out of nowhere and basically jumped on him."
"Who was she?" Harvey asked, fists half-clenched in mock rage. "Why didn't you call me so we could—" She made a face like she was about to throw hands, and I laughed despite myself.
"I bumped into her again today," I said. "I swear I wanted to wrestle with her, but I kept my cool because we were at the big restaurant and everyone was watching. I told her she looked like someone I know and walked off. Later, I ran into him again, and he drove me home."
"Oh—I saw you getting out of a car," Harvey said, eyes bright. "Don't tell me it was Charles. I thought it looked like him when I saw someone drop you off."
"Yes, it was him," I said. "And how did you see him?"
"I was across the street at the corner by the café," she explained. "I saw the car pull up. I remembered the guy — he helped me the other day when I didn't have cash for a taxi. He covered my fare and even gave me a little extra. That stuck with me."
My chest warmed at the image of him helping my sister. "He helped you?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said. "He came over when I looked like I didn't have exact change. He said I looked like his sister or something, paid the taxi driver, and even handed me some money. I thought that was really kind."
The memory made my chest tighten in a good way. "He helped me the other day, too," Harvey said again. "I didn't have change for the taxi and I was this close to being embarrassed. He walked over, paid, and said something about family — like I looked familiar. He even gave me some cash. I didn't realize he'd helped Harvey ."
My face lit up. "So all this happened and you didn't tell me earlier? Has he asked you out yet?" Harvey asked amused.
"No," I said quickly. "He hasn't asked me out. We're not officially dating. But the signs are there and I've already started to like him, and I'm already dating him." I felt a little ridiculous saying it out loud, but saying it made it real.
"You've started dating in your head?" Harvey teased, laughing. "Girl, don't waste him. He sounds sweet and generous. I already see him as my future brother-in-law. You can't let him slip away."
"I trust you," I told her. "I mean, I'm in. We started… well, I started liking him today. But the problem is we're having a cooking competition this weekend at his place."
"Should I come watch?" she asked, eyes gleaming with the idea of being judge and audience both.
"No — three's a crowd," I said, rolling my eyes.
"So now I'm the crowd?" she pouted, mock wounded. "Fine. I'll be home waiting for the results. Don't forget to bring both dishes so I can judge."
"I will bring them," I promised. "We should practice. Let's cook different things tonight."
"No need," she said, shaking her head. "You already can cook. What you need is to research recipes and practice technique, not clutter the kitchen tonight. I can help — remember, I studied food and nutrition in high school. I'm practically a pro."
"You studied food and nutrition?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes. I'm basically a walking cookbook," she said, proud. "Leave the recipes to me and I'll pass on tips. Trust me."
"I trust you," I said, and hugged her. She squeezed back, laughing.
"Call me the best," she demanded, grinning.
"You're the best, sis. I love you," I said.
"I love you too," she replied, hugging me tightly. "Tomorrow is Thursday. We'll work everything out then." She let go and checked her phone, already running through logistics in her head. "We'll finalize the grocery list and prep schedule."
"Yeah," I said. "We planned to go to the grocery store Friday to pick up everything for Saturday's cook-off."
"Wouldn't he be working Friday?" Harvey asked, thoughtful. "If he's a typical working guy, he might be tied up."
"We haven't finalized the day to shop," I said. "If he's working on Friday, we can go Saturday morning. We'll coordinate. Don't worry."
Harvey looked at me curiously. "Did you ask him about the woman who bumped into you?"
"Yes," I said. "He told me she's his younger sister. He said I'd get to meet her someday."
Harvey breathed out in relief and laughed. "Thank God you didn't deck your future sister-in-law. That would have been messy."
I shook my head, embarrassed at the idea. "I almost lost it, but I kept my cool. It wasn't worth making a scene."
"So where were you when I came in?" I asked.
"I was in the kitchen, looking up recipes," she said.
"You were watching a show?" I asked, amused.
"I didn't want to miss it," she said, smirking. "Anyway, I'm heading to my room to call my boyfriend," she announced, and then left before I could respond.
As soon as Harvey was gone, I picked up my phone to dial Charles. My thumb hovered over his name. I'd been meaning to call him all day, and now felt like the right moment—easy and warm after the way he'd treated us both. I pressed call.
Before the second ring finished, his voice came over the line. "Hey, babe," he said.
"Hey," I replied, smiling. "So you finished eating without me?"
"No," he answered. "I haven't finished everything yet. Yours is here, in case you change your mind."
I laughed. "I'm kidding. Did you meet my sister?"
"Which sister?" he asked, a beat of confusion in his tone.
"My sister, Harvey. She said she saw you and that you helped her with a taxi fare," I explained quickly.
"Oh, Harvey. Yeah, I met her briefly," he said. "She seems great — really sweet, just like you."
"It runs in the family," I said, smiling.
"Have you eaten yet?" he asked.
"No, I haven't," I admitted.
"Why , I'll call you back but make sure you're done eating when I do, he replied and hanged up