The shrill ringing of my cell phone blasted through the quiet of my garage almost making me drop the heavy cans of car paint.

Who is calling me so late? I placed the cans on my work table next to my ringing phone.

I picked up my turned over phone to figure out just that. The picture I'd secretly taken of Maya and Charlie filled my screen. I'd made it her contact picture because it was so cute.

Answering the call, I said, "Hello."

"Hi," Maya's smooth voice came over the phone. "I wasn't sure if you were awake."

"I am," I replied, sitting down on my workbench. "But I'm surprised you're up. Are you and Tasha pulling an all nighter?"

"No, she's sleeping. I'm in the bathroom." She rushed to explain, "I'm not using the bathroom. I just in here so I don't wake her by talking on the phone."

"Ah, I understand," I chuckled. "So why did you call me? Is there something wrong?"

"No, no, there's nothing wrong. I just-I couldn't sleep, and then I started thinking about you and I wondered if you got home safely. Then I wanted to call and make sure you were okay."

"What if I wouldn't have answered?"

She hummed, unable to come up with an answer. "I guess we'll never know now."

"I guess not." I decided to tease her a little bit. "Do you miss me?"

"Depends," she replied.

"On what?" I toyed with a wrench that sat on the table twirling it around my fingers.

"If you miss me."

"You-with all your sarcastic comments and poor taste in caffeinated drinks?" I asked jokingly. "Of course, I don't."

She laughed softly. "Wow, you sure do know how to make a girl feel special."

I sighed, "It's my specialty. That's why the girls love me."

"I'm sure it is."

We were in a comfortable silence when I said, "Maya, will you go on a date with me?" I don't know what encouraged me to ask her that, but I did.

The other end of the phone was so silent, I thought she might have hung up. But then she answered, "Yes."

"Yes," I repeated after her. I probably should have thought this through more, I wasn't even sure where I wanted to take her. "Okay, do you want to get dinner tomorrow night?"

"I can't I have work remember."

"Oh, I forgot. Maybe the next night."

"That sounds good. I look forward to it."

I smiled to myself. "Does it feel like we're doing everything backwards to you?"

"What do you mean?"she asked.

"Usually people go on a first date before they have their first kiss. Or before they spend the night..."

"Or let them borrow cars," she added.

"Right," I agreed. "Or let them borrow cars." But that's one milestone that I'm glad we jumped to or else we might not be where we are today.

"I guess it is kind of out of order," she agreed. I could hear her shifting around in the bathroom. "But what if you were a bad kisser? Then I would have went on a date with you for nothing."

"You think I'm a good kisser?" I grinned.

"I didn't mean to say that," she said trying to take it back.

Too late now. I heard her talking to Charlie. "Jesus, Charlie stop being so loud. People are trying to sleep. And you don't pay bills here, Mister, so I don't know why you're making so much noise."

"What is he doing?" I asked.

"He was crying at the bathroom door," she explained. "But he's fine, he just wanted to come inside." I heard her struggling to pick him up and hold the phone at the same time. He meowed next to the phone. "You can't get to him, Charlie."

"Hi, Charlie," I said into the phone. Buttons dinged on the other end as he bumped his head against the phone.

Maya moved the phone away from his head. She asked, "Nick, can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Do you have a Costco card?"

Okay, wasn't expecting that. "Uh, yes. My housekeeper uses it. Why?"

"Oh, no reason," she said nonchalantly. "I was just wondering."

"You can use it if you want," I offered. "I don't mind taking you sometime." I haven't been there since I was a kid, but if I remember correctly, their pizza is amazing.

"Are you already planning a second date with me?" she asked jokingly. "I didn't know you liked me so much."

"More than you know." I'm not even sure like is the right word for it anymore. My feelings for her are all consuming, and almost too much for me sometimes. It's like nothing I've ever felt before.

"What are you doing?" she yawned.

"I'm putting out paint supplies." I'd almost finished prepping everything, all my tools were laid out and the paint was almost fully prepped. "I'm hoping to start painting your car tomorrow."

I would have to bring her car here, but since I'd fixed things on the inside there was no chance of it exploding on the way.

I could hear the drowsiness in her voice. "I can't wait to see it when it's finished. You've worked so hard on it, I'm sure the fancy car school people will love it."

"Thanks, Maya. I hope they do." She'd started yawning every few minutes. And her responses were becoming delayed. "I'm going to let you get some sleep."

"But I'm not tired." She lied only to yawn right after.

I rolled my eyes, and she talks about my sleep habits. "Well, you should be. You have work tomorrow."

She groaned, disgruntled. "You're right.Why do you have to be so smart?"

"It's a gift," I said to her. "Goodnight, Maya. Get some sleep."

"Goodnight, Nick," she sighed, sleepily. "I'll see you tomorrow."

The call ended with a sound click. After the end of the call I went back to what I was doing, I began thinking about about how the end of my project would change Maya and I's relationship. If I was being honest, I didn't want it to end. I liked being able to talk to her for hours while I was working, and hear her nagging when I'd lose track of time and wouldn't eat. I doubt her nagging about my unhealthy habits would stop anytime soon. But I don't mind.

I like having someone look after me. I like knowing that someone wants the best for me.

Yawning, I was beginning to feel tired myself. I rubbed my eyes with palm of my hands. It'd feel weird going to sleep without Charlie laying above my head. Maybe he'll sleep in Maya's bed for a change.

I packed away my things before going inside. I turned on the tv so my room wasn't so still and quiet. Nowadays drifting to sleep had become easier and easier. Once I got my brain to shut down it's like a switch would flip and I'd be out like a light.

Thoughts of her consumed my mind as my breathing began to slow and I felt the familiar pull of sleep.

****

"Charlie!" I called as I entered Maya's apartment. "Charlie, where are you?"

I had decided to check on him before moving her car to my garage. As I stepped further inside, it was clear to me that Tasha spent the night. Dishes sat in the sink and the blankets that were usually folded on the arm of the couch laid haphazardly over the cushions.

"Charlie!"

He popped his little orange and white head out of the cubby hole in his cat tree. "Meow."

"Good morning," I greeted him, picking him up. "I missed you last night." I didn't miss the crazy amounts of cat hair that were attached to my clothes though. He shared my sentiments by rubbing his head against my growing facial hair.

"I have to leave soon, but I think we should get you a treat first." This caused him to purr loudly. "I knew you would agree."

I proceeded to get him a treat from the kitchen, setting him on the floor so he could enjoy it. I looked at the dirty bowls in the sink, it wouldn't take me very long to clean them and I'm sure Maya would appreciate it. She always gets antsy when her apartment isn't clean. And I could straighten up the living room too. What's a few minutes anyway?

A few minutes turned into an hour when I went into the bathroom and saw the mess that the girls left behind. Dirty towels on the floor, products left on the sink, fake eyelashes-fake eyelashes, I had to clean it.

By the time I looked down at my watch, it was early afternoon. I still had plenty of time. I had grabbed her car keys and I was going to leave, I promise I was, but then she texted me.

I've had so much caffeine my head is spinning, and customers are being dicks. Today is shaping up to be the worst day ever. I hope your day isn't going as bad as mine.

Setting the keys back down on the counter, I typed,

My day is going alright. What's wrong?

Typical retail B.S. I'm already ready to go home, will you still be there tonight?

I wasn't going to pretend to know what typical retail b.s entails but I'm assuming it sucks. Yes, I'll be here.

She sent back two thumbs up emojis.

I wish there was something I could do to make her feel better after her long day. I've already cleaned that should put her at ease, maybe I could cook for her. We are supposed to get dinner together tomorrow night, but there's no time like the present. I can always start painting her car tomorrow.

As good as my plan is there's only one slight issue, I'm not much of a cook. Sure I can make a sandwich, eggs, simple stuff like that, but scrambled eggs and grilled cheese aren't great first date material.

I began looking through her cabinets and refrigerator, there wasn't anything in there that I felt comfortable cooking.

"Looks like I'm going to the grocery store," I sighed closing the fridge door. This would be interesting.

I grabbed my own car keys and headed to the store. Once I got there I was immediately overwhelmed by all of the options. I didn't know where to start.

Stressed, I pushed the cart down multiple aisles looking for something good, and easy, to cook. I was wandering around aimlessly not finding anything, when I bumped into a man stocking the shelves.

"Hey, can I help you find anything today?" he asked when I passed him.

Yes, a million times, yes. "Yes, I'm making dinner for my girlfriend. And I don't know how to cook," I admitted to him. "I need as much help as I can get."

He chuckled. "I've been there. I think I can help you find something."

I exhaled, relieved. "Good, I was about to give up and order pizza."

"No need for that," he assured me. "Can you boil water?"

"Of course, I can," I scoffed. "Who can't boil water?"

"You'd be surprised. I've known people who burn rice." He put the last can on the shelf and turned his full attention on me. He and I were about the same height, but he was a few years older than me. He put his hands in the pockets of his green apron. "Me being one of them, but I know something easy and quick. And if I can make it you can make it too."

"Okay." I trusted him if he says it's easy, and he can't cook rice. I should be in the clear. "Show me."

He ended up giving me the recipe for a simple pasta. All I needed was sauce, pasta, and mozzarella cheese. I got garlic bread for good measure.

"If the sauce is too thick you can put a little of the water from the pasta in it to thin it out," he said giving me tips as we walked to the cash register. I stopped in the pet section on the way up, they had some pet halloween costumes and I got one for Charlie. It's a pumpkin that goes around his head. He was probably going to hate it, but I was going to get a kick out of it. I also grabbed a bag of halloween candy. Chocolate only, none of that nasty ass candy corn.

"Thank you for helping me. I hope I don't screw it up." I handed over my debit card to the cashier.

"If you screw it up then there is no help for you," he said. "But I wish you luck, I hope your girlfriend likes it."

"Yeah, me too."

I piled the bags in the car and headed back to her apartment. She didn't get off until a few hours from now so I still had plenty of time to prepare dinner and clean up the mess afterwards. I prayed that this turned out well. I don't think she would ever forgive me if I burned down her kitchen.