Chapter 7 Can He Sense Her?
April
"Thank you for dinner, Corran. It was delicious. It has been a long time since someone has cooked for me." I smile, finishing the last bite.
He is a great cook. Things seem less awkward between us now that we've found out we both lost the people we love most in the world. Who knew that out of everything, it would be that we had been through together.
"You are welcome. I am glad you enjoyed it. It has been a while since I have cooked for anyone."
I stand, gather the plates, and take them to the sink. The least I can do is clean up after he spent his time cooking. I hear him coming into the kitchen after me. "April, what are you doing?"
I glance over my shoulder at him. "Cleaning."
"No, you don't need to do that. You are a guest. Leave them. I will clean up later." He insists, appearing behind me and takes my hands away from the sink.
I freeze at the contact. It is innocent, but something in me doesn't see it that way. "I don't mind," I whisper.
Corran quickly pulls his hands away from mine. "Sorry."
I turn to face him. It is a mistake because in doing so, there isn't much room between us. "It is okay."
For a second, silence falls between us, our eyes connected. Corran clears his throat, taking a few steps back to put distance between us. "Are you ready for dessert?"
"Can I use your restroom first?"
"Yes, the bathroom is through there."
I nod, rushing off to the bathroom. I need a second to gather myself after whatever that just was. There is nothing there. We barely even know one another. I am not interested in him or any other man, for that matter. If I am looking for anything, it is a friend, nothing more. I lock the bathroom door and rest against it. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and let it out.
"Sweetheart, are you okay?"
"Corbin?" I ask, surprised. I had no idea he was here.
I open my eyes to see him standing before me, a concerned look on his face. "Are you okay?"
"Have you been here the entire time?"
He shakes his head. "No, just long enough to see you both in the kitchen." There is a hint of sadness in his voice.
"Corbin, that was nothing. I am not interested in him." I whisper, not wanting Corran to hear me talking to myself again.
Corbin steps closer to me, stroking my cheek. My breath catches in my throat at his simple touch. "It is okay, April. I am okay. It is just strange for me to see you so close to another man. It doesn't mean I don't want you to find someone else one day."
"Corbin, I am not interested in him. The only thing I am looking for is friendship. Corran understands what I am going through. He lost his wife a couple of years ago."
"He did? Maybe the two of you met for a reason. You need one another since you both understand. It explains the woman I have seen hanging around. It must be his wife."
"Wait, she is around?"
"Yes, only occasionally and for a few seconds at a time. It is like she can only be here for a few seconds before vanishing. It is strange. Why am I the only one who can be around all of the time?"
I sigh. I wish Corran knew Edin was around. It would help him, but I can't tell him. He wouldn't believe me and thinks I am crazy. I wonder the same thing as Corbin: why can he be around as much, but no one else can? Who knows. It is a world I will never understand.
"I don't know. I wish he could see her, even for a moment."
"Yes, you should get back out there, sweetheart, before he comes looking for you. Relax, you aren't doing anything wrong. You need a friend, and he would be the perfect person for you," he smiles, kissing me softly.
I nod, and Corbin disappears once again. I flush the toilet, pretending like I used it and return to the living room, smiling and acting like everything is fine. I find Corran at the table, waiting for me. Hot chocolate fudge cake on a plate, with steam rising. It smells good. He seems to be lost in his thoughts.
"Corran, are you okay?"
He lifts his head to glance at me, smiling. He has a beautiful smile. Even I can notice that. It is hard not to.
"Yes, I am fine. I wasn't sure if you liked cream, but there is some in the jug."
I shake my head. "I don't like it. The chocolate cake is fine."
I take my seat at the table with him. "Would you like another glass of wine?"
"Sure."
It will help calm my nerves. I am nervous again after what happened in the kitchen. Nodding, he goes to get us each a glass. I glance around, curious if Edin is in the room with us. What are her thoughts about seeing Corran cook and spending time with another woman? Does it bother her? Can he sense her presence in the same way I can Corbin, even if he can't see her? Questions I want to ask, but won't because how do you even start such a conversation? I clear my thoughts of it as he rejoins me at the table, handing me my glass of wine.
"Thanks. Once I have my apartment, sorry flat, ready, I would like to invite you for dinner to say thank you."
"You don't need to do that."
"I want to. It is the least I can do. If it weren't for you, I would be ordering in again or having a cup of ramen for dinner." I laugh.
"Okay, you can let me know."
It shouldn't be too long. Everything should be organised soon once I receive everything I need. I want to try and make it a home, the best I can. It would never completely feel like home because I am not sharing it with Corbin, but I want to get it to one as close as possible.
"I will do."
"If you need help with anything, just let me know. I am handy when it comes to DIY and electronics."
"I may hold you to that. Corbin was the one who dealt with those things." I laugh.
Corran chuckles. "Happy to help."
I smile and take a sip of my wine before tucking into my cake. I won't stay too late. I am sure Corran doesn't want me around too long. I won't overstay my welcome.