But it was the fact that Kris seemed to be genuinely enjoying herself that made him relax. Seeing her have fun made him want to stay—for her.
He spotted her walking back to their table after visiting the restroom. He frowned as she gave him a forced smile.
"What's wrong?" he asked as she sat back down.
"Nothing, just getting tired," she replied.
"Do you want to leave now?"
"They'll be cutting the cake soon. After that?"
"Sure," he agreed.
*
The taxi was almost at Trey's place when Kris pulled out a couple of bills from her purse.
"What's that for?" he asked.
"For the taxi," she replied. "I have some cash."
"I'm putting it on my credit card."
"No need. I already have the exact amount here."
"Okay," he agreed reluctantly. He didn't like women paying for anything when they were with him. He especially wanted to take care of everything when it concerned Kris. But she was insistent, and he didn't want to argue. He could live with a one-off thing.
*******
"Hi, honey!" Kris greeted as she walked in Trey's apartment carrying a reusable shopping bag full of groceries.
"Hey, sweetheart," he said, giving her a kiss before eyeing the bag curiously. "I thought you went shopping with Ari and Jaz."
"I did."
"But those are groceries," he said in confusion.
"Yes, they are."
"So you went grocery shopping instead of clothes shopping?"
"Uh-huh."
"Okay. Are we having a party?" he asked.
"No," Kris answered with a little laugh. "I thought I'd stock up your pantry. We've been using your supplies and they're dwindling."
"But you know I order online and have them delivered. I was going to do it tomorrow."
"Yeah, but it's not really fair that you keep buying stuff when I eat here too."
He stared at her, realisation dawning. "I don't want you replacing things because you've been eating here with me."
"I don't mind. It's done now."
Kris started to unpack the bag and he smiled when he saw a bottle of shampoo and body wash for women. He snaked his arms around her waist. Perhaps it was the best time to bring the topic of her moving in with him. "I take it those toiletries mean you're going to be staying here more often."
"Not necessarily. It's just that I've been using yours, and I do prefer my own brands. Here are your ones."
"You didn't have to buy my toiletries," he said, frowning. He turned her around to face him. "You're not trying to replace everything you've used here, are you?" he asked ominously.
She shrugged. "I want to."
He scowled at her. "Why?"
"Why not?"
"It…it…doesn't feel right," he said, trying to grasp the right words but failing.
"Oh, doesn't it?" Kris asked, her eyes searching his face.
"No! I wasn't happy when you paid for the cab last night, either," he admitted.
"Oh. And if I offer to pay part of that electricity bill I saw on the dining table the other day?"
"Kris!"
"I'm here almost every other night you know," she said. "I use up a lot of power, too, while I'm here."
"If you were actually living with me what would you do? Pay half the electricity bill?" he asked, bemused.
"Yeah," she said readily. "And pay you rent."
He stepped back, shocked. "But you're not my flatmate," he whispered. What in the hell is going on?
Fear started to grip his heart. Why was she doing this all of a sudden? This wasn't how it was supposed to be, was it? She wasn't his friend. She was his girlfriend. Why was she creating these divisions?
"Are you going to break up with me?" he asked in a low voice, trying to stifle his fear.
"What? No! What are you talking about?" Kris asked in disbelief.
He breathed a sigh of relief. "Why are you doing this then? You're acting as if you're not entitled to anything of mine."
"I'm just your girlfriend, Trey," she mumbled. "I'm not entitled to anything of yours."
Something in Kris expression alerted him that there was more to it than she was letting on. He cupped her face. "What's going on, Kris?" he asked in soft demand.
Her beautiful expressive eyes flickered with doubt as she stared back at him.
He gave her a tender kiss on the lips. "Tell me, please."
"I don't want you to think I'm a gold-digger," she answered.
His brows creased. "Have I ever made you feel that I think that?"
"No."
"So where did that thought come from?"
Kris inhaled deeply. "Last night, when I was in the ladies' room, your aunt who was sitting next to Rebecca, err, chatted with me."