16

It's raining and it's cold and somehow heating wasn't working in I and Ryan's office, so we had to leave the door open. I never liked doing that.

Work was work, honestly. There was no other way I'd put it and I rotated between doing that and sending the occasional text to Xander. Monday turns into Tuesday, Tuesday turns into Wednesday and Xander had called to tell me he wouldn't be able to make it to our dinner date.

"I'm so sorry, kitten. I'll make it up to you." Xander said and I shook my head, temporarily forgetting he couldn't see me.

"It's okay. You have business to attend to." I said, biting back a sigh. I had been excited to go for dinner with Xander since I hadn't seen him since Sunday night and I wanted another cuddle. Needed one.

"Baby, are you mad? Just say the word and I will cancel this meeting." Xander asked and again, I shook my head. Shit. I had to stop doing that and actually voice out my replies.

"We can have dinner on Thursday and this time I'll cook."

"You want to cook for me, baby?" Xander asked.

"I do."

"I'd love to eat something that's made by you. I bet it would be delicious." Xander said and I felt my cheeks heat up. This man. This. Man. "Wouldn't you be too tired though? You work through the entire day, I don't want to stress you even more by making you cook for me."

This man.

How could he be so sweet? So caring?

How in the name of everything sweet, did I find him? Who do I have to thank for bringing him into my life?

"I'll make something light." I told him, already thinking of what I could make. I could make soup? Ugh soup. No soup. I'll think of something or look up something after this phone call. "You..."

"I?"

"You are unbelievable. How are you real?"

"I'm as real as you. As real as Ryan. As real as the ben and jerry's ice cream you like." Xander said, his last words startling a laugh out of me. I loved how he could make me laugh, like it was effortless, like it was his goal to hear or see me laugh.

"I can't wait to see you."

"I can't wait to hold you." Xander said and I sighed wistfully. Oh, how I wanted to kiss him, to feel the weight of his hands on my hips. "I might have gotten you a little something. it's going to be delivered soon."

I sat up at that. What? What did he get? Was it another giant stuffie? If he was delivering it to the office it couldn't be that.

"What did you get me?"

"A little something, sweetheat. I hope you like it." Xander said and then added. "Okay, I have to go now, I'll call you later."

"Bye, Xan."

Once the call was over, I peeped at the time and hummed when I saw it was just a bit past three. I had less than two hours before going home. I was still wondering what Xander had gotten me, when Ryan walked back into the office, holding onto two Starbucks cup.

We got to work shortly after drinking and we were half way done when there was a knock on the door and I turned around. I heard Ryan gasp behind me but I... I was stunned.

It wasn't a small gift.

Xander said it was a little something but this was not!

The delivery man was holding up a large large hamper.

"Mr. Bram?" He asked and I stepped forward. He hands me the hamper and I struggled to put it on the nearest flattest surface, so I could sign for it. There were co-workers who were trying to subtly look over but failing badly. People should learn to mind their business.

I closed the door to the office and faced the large hamper.

"What the actual fuck?"

"Xander said he was sending me a little gif-"

"This isn't little. How is this little?" Ryan asked as he walked closer to me, so he could get a good look at the stuff packed in the hamper. I pulled off the purple bow gently and peered at what was packed in. I let out a loud gasp as I pulled out everything. Hair masks, large bottles of Pattern beauty shampoo and conditioner, detangling brushes, shower brush, a soft microfibre towel that was big enough for my hair, hair serum and one infinitipro by Conair hair dryer and this came with a diffuser for my curly hair. There were also packs of hair bands for my hair, some with satin, some plain. There was double of everything inside the basket and that was what made it so big.

"There's a card." Ryan said, pointing at the flower patterned card, tucked between the products. I took it out and opened it, smiling as I read the words.

I got you the best. I wasn't sure what to buy you but the woman at the store said, these were the best products. I wasn't even sure about your curl type and I had to show her a picture.

p.s you're always packing up you hair and pouting when you don't find a band, so I got you some.

p.p.s I hope you like them.

-xan

I hadn't stopped smiling, I didn't want to. I could just picture Xander walking around a store, looking at all the hair products before finally giving up and asking for help. He was so good to me.

"You've got one hell of a man."

"I know. He is the best."

I rushed over to my phone and hit the speed dial for Xander's number, Ryan was still looking down at the products but I...

It felt like my heart wanted to beat right out of my chest. I couldn't believe he had done this. I have received a good number of gifts over the years but they were mostly clothes, shoes, gift cards and spa coupons, that one time but never this, never hair products.

Xander had taken his time to think about what I'd love and he had gotten it. He was so different and paid actual attention to me. I didn't know what or how to react. I just knew I wanted to see him today. I couldn't wait till thursday.

The call was about to ring for the last time when Xander finally picked up.

"Kitten..."

"Thank you thank you so much. I love it! I love everything! Thank you." I said and smiled even more when I heard him chuckle on the other side.

"i'm glad you like them."

"Can you come over tonight?"

"Baby, I still have that meeitng."

"Not for dinner. You can come after the meeting."

"I might be late, I don't want to make you wait up, you'll be tired tomorrow." Xander said and really I got where he was coming from but I didn't want to think about him, I wanted the real thing. Xander himself.

"Please."

That was all it took.

"Alright, baby. I'll drop by after the meeting. I really have to go now."

"Bye, Xan. Stay safe."

"Always."

Ryan pulled me in for a hug and I just couldn't believe this was actually happening. Ryan and I used to talk about finding the right men for us. We used to talk about being swept off our feet, guys who would treat us like we were in an actual rom-com. And now, now it's happening to us.

Work flies by after that, somehow Ryan and I managed to get the large hamper to the elevator, out the lobby and into the Uber we were taking home. Dinner that night consisted of chicken and fries with home-made salad and a glass of red wine each.

I kept checking my phone each time, for a phone call or a text, any thing but I got nothing in return. He did say he might be late. Eight turns to nine, nine turns to ten and Ryan presses a kiss to my forehead before heading to bed. By eleven, I got off the couch, flipping off the tv and light before heading over to my room.

I still couldn't sleep.

I played wooden puzzles for a while, trying to beat my high score and I was so close close, when my phone started buzzing, the caller id showing Xander. I picked it immediately.

"Hey."

"Hey, sweetheart. Were you sleeping?" Xander asked.

"No, I was playing a game. Are you alright?" I asked, sitting up and resting against the headboard.

"I'm good. I am outside your door."

"What?" I asked, swining my leg off the bed and standing up.

"I said, I am outside your door."

I rushed out of my room, tiptoeing over to the door. I looked through the peephole, my heart jack rabbiting as I pulled the door open. Xander was standing there, his hair was falling into his face and he was dressed down in a white shirt and camo green sweatpants.

"Hi."

"Hey, baby."

I pulled the door open wider, moving a bit to the side so Xander could walk in. The apartment was still dark so I reached I grabbed Xander's hand before shutting the door with my free hand, making sure to lock it before leading Xander over to my room. Once he was in and I had shut the door, I turned to him, my eyes raking his body, searching for bruises.

"Are you okay? Have you had dinner?"

"Yes to both." Xander said, heading over to my bed to take a seat. "How about you, darling? Have you eaten?"

"Yeah, I have."

Oh wow, Xander was in my room. I quickly looked around, the last thing I needed was for Xander to see something embarrassing. My room looked tidy enough. Laundry bag filled with clothes, my closet, the bathroom, the bed that was made up with my purple sheets and matching duvet, pictures of myself, Ryan and my mum. The small workspace I had set up with my laptop, an old table and chair. My curtains were drawn close and there was nothing on the floors.

"Bram?" Xander called and I looked over at him.

"Yeah?" I replied as I moved closer to Xander. I sat on the bed and he reached for my hand, his fingers intertwining mine.

"You wanted to see me."

"I wanted to thank you for the hair products. I love them." I said, looking at him earnestly, squeezing his hands a bit.

"I thought you'd like them, you're always touching, fiddling, packing and you're always doing so gently and it's also one of my favourite thing about you." Xander said, looking at my hair, I had pulled into into a bun.

"You are the amazing."

"So are you, darling." Xander said.

I tried to fight back a yawn but it broke through. I covered my mouth with my hand as I yawned, blinking softly. Xander took one look at me and smiled.

"You are so adorable." Xander said as he got off the bed.

"I'm not. I'm hot."

"Yes, you are but right now you are adorable and sleepy."

And on cue, I let out another yawn.

"I'm a sleepy bunny."

"Yes, you are, darling."

"Come and cuddle with me."

"If I get in that bed, I'm not going home." Xander said and I nodded. This was not what I had in mind whenever I pictured our first night together but I could tell he was also tired.

"Did you drive here?"

"Yeah."

He shouldn't have to drive home like this and I think if I yawn again, he might also yawn. He was so tired. I wondered what he had done today, I might ask in the morning.

"You are definitely not going home then. Can you please put off the light and come to bed."

Xander puts off the light, I heard the sound of clothes and the next thing I know, Xander was slipping into the bed, covering himself with the duvet. I immediately moved closer until my head was resting on his chest and my arm around his waist.

"Where's your sweatpants?"

"On the floor. I sleep in either nude or in my boxers."

"But you're wearing a shirt."

Xander sighed and a couple seconds later his shirt was off and I was pressed right against warm skin. I smiled victoriously. I placed a kiss on Xander's chest, running my fingers down his abs as his breathing lulled me to sleep.

"Good night, Xan."

"Good night, kitten."