Emily wondered for a while how Eddie knew things, things like how she liked her coffee, or what her favorite drink was, or what was going on with her. But knowing her favorite color seemed even more personal, like he didn’t just know facts about her, but he knew her.
Emily waited patiently for Eddie to answer her question. She knew he wouldn’t lie to her, but she knew he didn’t want to tell her either.
“I pay attention,” Eddie finally said, shrugging as though that made his words innocent.
“To everyone or just to me?”
Eddie shrugged again and wandered over to the bookcase to look at the pictures Emily displayed there. Pictures of her family and close friends, and, until recently, Nick.
“How does Nick drink his coffee?” Emily asked.
Eddie froze for a second, such a short time Emily wouldn’t have noticed if she wasn’t watching him. “Uh, black.”
Emily shook her head, “Nope. Two sugars. What’s his favorite color?”
Eddie stopped looking around, not bothering trying to distract them both. “You know I don’t know. Why don’t you ask me what you really want to know, Emily?”
Emily took a deep breath and looked at Eddie. She took in his caring eyes, the tilt of his lips, the strength of his body, and she said the words that she knew would change everything. “Do you like me?”