The aroma of spicy rice and chicken fajitas greeted Saoirse as she opened the front door and walked up the stairs into Neil's apartment. "Hiiiii" she called out. She hung up her coat and left her handbag and shoes in the hall and padded into the kitchen in her socks, smart black trousers and black and white polka dot blouse. The TV was on at low volume showing a late afternoon quiz show. Neil was cooking at the hob, barefoot and wearing his denim jeans and navy t-shirt. The food sizzled in the pan as he chopped the vegetables, threw them in the pan and stirred it.
He turned his head to see her coming in and then turned back to the hob. "Oh there she is!" he said in a sing-song, smiling to himself. Saoirse smiled as she approached him and stood up on her tip toes beside him as he turned his head again to kiss her. The bristles of his neat, ginger beard brushed against her pale skin. "Hi Saoirse, how are you?" Neil asked in his gentle, low tone, looking in her eyes. "That's cute." he said, nodding towards her outfit. She moved round behind him to press the front of her body against his back and slid her arms around his waist, squeezing him in a hug, kissing his back and then resting her head against it. The heat from his body and feeling his back muscles against her made her sigh with a tired relief. Neil leaned his head back and stroked her hands on his waist. "Saoirse...What's up?" he asked, laughing softly.
"No, nothing. Thank you for making dinner." Saoirse sighed and smiled. Neil nodded. She released her grip on him and moved to stand beside him again, leaning against the counter. "I'm all good. Just glad to be home. You're making dinner and you've lit candles, so nice. How are you?" she said.
"Yeah, I can be a bit romantic!" Neil said, leaning in to kiss her. "I'm OK. Busy day? I didn't see you at all in work." he said, looking around the counter top and moving around the kitchen as he continued preparing their meal.
"Yeah, busy but fine. Just the usual. I thought you must've been busy too cos I didn't see you either." she said.
He shrugged with one shoulder and made a face. "Are you tired?" he asked as she yawned. She nodded and smiled and stepped towards him, wrapping her arms around his waist and cuddling against him. He slipped his arms around her shoulders and looked down at her, pursing his lips before leaning down to kiss her head and running his fingers through her auburn hair. She tilted her body back and looked up at him, he looked down at her and laughed. "Did you spill your lunch down yourself again?" he asked.
She let go of his waist and smoothed down her blouse, looking at the orange stain. "Yeah, again. I remember when I was a child, thinking 'I can't wait to be a grown up so I don't drop food on myself' but now I realise this is just me for life. It's kinda embarrassing!" she said, leaning against the counter again.
"Why?" he asked, distracted while he prepared the food.
"Cos I'm an adult and I can't eat food without dropping it on myself!" she reiterated. "People at work must wonder 'What is she doing?', hardly makes me look professional!" she exclaimed.
Neil moved over, standing at the bin with his back to her. "Tell them to fuck off! Who gives a shit if you've spilled food on your clothes!" he said sharply as he turned back round to the hob.
"Bit harsh, Neil!" Saoirse laughed. "I was just thinking because I've got that meeting tomorrow afternoon so I need to be careful not to spill anything on my clothes then. I'm nervous enough as it is!" she laughed nervously and shook her head.
Neil turned to face Saoirse and looked her in the eye. "You'll be great, I told you. I don't know what you're worrying about, Saoirse! I'll get you a bib." he said, with a light-hearted laugh.
She stood up straight and put her left hand on her hip. "Says you who nearly had heart failure when you had to do that presentation!" she exclaimed, smiling.
Neil looked hurt. "You know I hate doing those things." he said quietly, turning away to the table.
"Sorry, I was jesting, Neil." Saoirse said, stepping forward to touch his arm. "I'm really nervous about this meeting and it feels like you're dismissing it." she said softly, looking at him as he carried on setting the table.
"Let me guess... was it my tone?!" he rolled his eyes. "I'm just trying to put you at ease." he said, turning round and approaching her. "You're taking it the wrong way!" He bounced awkwardly on the balls of his feet and looked her in the eye. She reached out to him, wrapping her arms around his waist again. Neil laughed softly. "Right, go and get your comfies on while I finish this otherwise we'll never get eating dinner tonight!"
Saoirse stepped back, kissed him then turned around to leave the kitchen. He smacked her on the ass playfully. "Take your bra off too so I don't have to do it later!" he said with a chuckle.