Chapter 7 7

Cordial Company Just as Rosie had expected, the next morning was tedious. Tamara spent all morning sitting with her head ducked in the toilet bowl, vomiting her insides out. Rosie held her hair back and offered her water, just waiting for her to get all of the liquor out of her system. Tamara remained annoyed while being bratty. Her hangover was causing her to be much more of a pain in the neck than Rosie was willing to tolerate. "I'm sorry," Tamara grumbled out, lifting her head off the toilet seat. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "I was a bitch yesterday." Rosie sighed deeply. She didn't want to get into this conversation again. "It's fine, Tamara." Tamara shook her head which only led to her groaning loudly from the throbbing in her skull. "No, it's not fine. I need to be more mindful." Rosie dropped Tamara's hair that she was holding back and moved to the sink to wash her hands. "I'm going to go make you a disgusting smoothie that will make you feel better." Tamara whined out a cry. "The thought of consuming anything right now only makes me want to vomit more." "You should have thought of that before you drank yourself to blacking out last night." Rosie didn't look at her cousin as she walked out of the bathroom and made her way to the kitchen. She was getting out the blender when the front door open. Rosie saw Anthony walk in with a white paper bag and a tray of three drinks. He smiled as he approached her and placed the items down on the kitchen island. "Hey. I brought coffee and food. It's never fun taking care of someone's hangover so maybe some company will help." Rosie exhaled, feeling her shoulders relax. She was grateful Anthony was here right now because she was wishing she was anywhere else but here. The stench of liquor seeping through Tamara's pores and the nauseating smell of vomit that filled the washroom was the last thing Rosie wanted to deal with. Her voice was quiet when she spoke. "Thank you. She's in the bathroom. I should put up a hazard sign." Anthony chuckled softly, his eyes lighting up. He didn't make any move to leave, to go check on Tamara. Rosie looked at him with a questioning look on her face. She was wondering why he was still standing here instead of being with Tamara in the bathroom, considering he had come over to help nurse her back to better health. A small smile rested on Anthony's face like a light and airy feather that had floated to rest on the ground. "You're a good cousin, Rosie." A shy smile tugged on Rosie's lips. Her face reddened. That was enough of a response for Anthony to head to bathroom. A couple hours later, Rosie was cooking in the kitchen. After Tamara had vomited her insides out, Rosie figured she'd be feeling better and hungry soon enough. Anthony walked out of Tamara's room to see Rosie in the kitchen. He walked up to her until he was standing directly behind her, Rosie not having noticing him until then. He looked over her shoulder at the food she was cooking on the stove. "Smells amazing. You never do fail to impress." Rosie ducked her head so her hair would curtain her face, trying to hide the heat that had risen to her face and surely made it glow red. Anthony took a step back, allowing Rosie to comfortably turn to face him. "Tamara's trying to take a nap. Her head's hurting and she still feels like hell." Rosie frowned. "I made food. She doesn't want to eat?" "She feels too nauseous to eat anything." Rosie only nodded, sighing deeply because she hadn't made this much food for just herself. "I'm no longer needed so I should head out." Anthony offered her a smile as he turned to leave the apartment. Rosie stopped him before he could get too far. "There's more than enough if you're hungry." Her words came out hesitantly, almost afraid to offer him a stay. She couldn't think of any reason why he would actually want to take her up on her offer. She looked at him like a deer caught in headlights. Anthony turned to look at Rosie again. His eyebrows raised in surprise. "I am tired of take out every night." A hopeful smile tugged on Rosie's lips as she tilted her head towards the table. Anthony, who was just as hopeful, helped himself to pour some drinks and get out cutlery while Rosie plated their food and brought the plates to the table. The two sat down across from each other. Rosie felt uneasy as the two of them started eating in silence. She never ate dinner with anyone but Tamara, if Tamara didn't have other plans. Most of the time Rosie would just bring food to her room and eat by herself. She was surprised that Anthony stayed but she didn't have the courage to say anything about it. She was actually grateful for the company, although incredibly nervous. "This is amazing," Anthony exhaled a groan in delight. "You really are an amazing cook, Rosie." Heat rose to her cheeks as she smiled at him. She felt giddy. "So," Anthony leaned forward on the table, swallowing his food before continuing. "You're also a talented artist. Something I also recently learned about you." Rosie paused in thought, peering at him. She knew from the way he spoke that he was giving her room to not answer, if she wished to. He never asked questions where she was backed into a corner and had no choice but to answer. She appreciated how cautious he always was, more than he would know. When Anthony said this, Rosie knew he was trying to initiate a conversation. Rosie knew that anyone who spoke to her with the exception of her cousin, only did so out of obligation or in an attempt to fill the awkward silence. But somehow, when Anthony tried to stir up a conversation, Rosie just knew he was doing it because he wanted to. Not because he was obligated to talk to her, not because he was trying to diminish the awkward silence. He was genuinely just interested in talking to her with no ulterior motive. This made it easier for Rosie to talk to him, to respond. Rosie was comfortable enough around Anthony. She was only fully and confidently comfortable when she was alone but Anthony had been around long enough and understood her well enough for her to be just comfortable enough. "I've been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. It was just a hobby that turned into a passion. I know that's du-" "Don't," Anthony cut her off, his tone and expression stern. "Do not say it's dumb. I told you, the things you feel and think, they matter. It's not dumb at all." Rosie looked down at her plate to hide the blush that had spread across her features but she knew that was useless. She cleared her throat before continuing. "I don't know. It's like reading," she looked up to meet his eyes. "You can fall into a whole other world when you're just... letting yourself create whatever comes to mind on a canvas." Anthony peered at her, just listening intently to each and every word she spoke. "You travel," he finished her thoughts. "Without moving your feet," she added. A grin tugged on one side of Anthony's lips. He paused for a moment before his eyes sparkled. "There's this gallery not far from campus. My friend has some art work being put on display there, the opening is later this week. You should come check it out, I'm sure you'll like it." Rosie's eyes grew wide, surprised by the invite. She nearly choked. "Really?" Anthony chuckled softly at the look of disbelief on her face. "Of course. I can't think of anyone who would appreciate it more than you." Ignoring the fluttering in her stomach, Rosie nodded her head sheepishly. She was baffled but flattered that he was thinking of her like this. "That sounds like... it would be nice." Anthony couldn't help the wide smile on his face. He was surprised himself that she had agreed. "Sounds like a date." Rosie nearly choked on her food, again. She was quick to play it cool and stuff her face with food to distract him from the bewilderment on her face. She struggled to ignore the vast heat that had flooded her face. She knew he meant nothing by his words, it was simply an expression. Shortly after that they had finished eating. Although Rosie was capable and fine cleaning up on her own, Anthony wouldn't let her do so. Rosie rinsed off the dishes while Anthony took them from her to place in the dishwasher. The two of them worked together in a comfortable silence. Rosie took a deep breath when she turned to look at him after they were finished. A tender smile rested easily on Anthony's face. He peered down at her, his head cocked the side. "Dinner was really good. Thank you." Rosie smiled, nodding her head in acknowledgement. She felt incredibly nervous and fidgety. She desperately tried to ignore their proximity and the fluttering feeling in her stomach that had been appearing every time Anthony was around lately. She knew what it meant, she wasn't oblivious to how much she was starting to enjoy Anthony's company. She also believed it was dangerous territory that was not worth entering. "Can I pick you up on Friday around seven? For the opening." Rosie blinked, taken aback. "Tamara isn't coming?" Anthony forced a laugh, his cheeks growing warm. "No, she couldn't be less interested. She can appreciate art but it's not entirely her forte." Rosie let out a shaky breath, suddenly feeling unsure. She hadn't realized she would have to be alone with Anthony, making this feel all the more like a date although she knew it wasn't one. Anthony was quick to notice the look on her face. He could see her hesitation, almost seeing the gears in her head spinning. He reached his hand forward to give her a comforting caress but was quick to stop himself and pull his hand back, knowing Rosie didn't like being touched like that - even if it was a small gesture. "I would love the company and like I said, I think it'll be something you'll really enjoy." Rosie hesitated. She bit on her lip unsurely until she met Anthony's gaze. The warmth in his eyes, the patience behind them, she could see he was nothing but cordial. "Seven sounds good." A smile broke loose on Anthony's face. With one curt nod, he starting taking steps backwards to head to the door. "Seven it is. I will see you then, Rosie." Anxiety riled in the pit of Rosie's stomach as she watched Anthony head out of her apartment with a giddy smile playing on his lips. She had no idea what she had just signed up for but for some reason, she found herself looking forward to it.