Watching and weighting

Chapter 2: The Interview

My hand fidgeted with the felt grooves in the brown felt couch as Dante started the interview. I could feel his eyes on me as I waited for him to start the questioning.
"So, what do you think of the house?" He finally said in his low, velvet voice. I looked up to answer, my baby blue eyes meeting with the deep hazel storm of his intimidating gaze.
"I-It's a lovely home!" I managed to respond through the fog his look stirred in my head.
"Thanks... So you go to the college nearby?" He asked, I could sense his gaze dropping down my body, as if studying me. I could feel my cheeks burning as I responded.
"Yeah! I, um, I'm on my third year. I'm going for a Bachelors in Software Development and Game Design." I spoke, before asking him the same with a small, "You?"
He gave me a small nod, saying, "Yeah, I'm going for a bachelor's in Art and Design." I was somewhat surprised, I thought he was on the football team or something, but knowing that this man was actually kind of "artsy" made me feel slightly more at ease.
"Are you an artist?" I asked, leaning in slightly to better hear his answer.
He gave me another small nod. "Yes, I have been producing digital art since I was young. I decided to pursue it as a career. I've been trying to work on selling commissions, but I never get any takers." He sighed and I quickly tried to change the subject. Something about seeing him sad broke a little something inside of me, I couldn't explain it.
"What other questions do you have for me?" I said, quickly moving the conversation away from Dante's failed business ventures. He nodded, getting the interview back on track.
"Do you have any partners that plan to stay with you or visit?" He asked.
I shook my head and said, "No, I'm single. My boyfriend left me a few months ago." I notice a slight change in Dante's demeanor, his head perked up a small bit. It was unnoticeable, unless you were as ensnared by him as I was.
He gave me his condolences before saying, "Everything checks out. When will you be moving in?"
"I'll be here with my things tomorrow." I said before standing up, "So does that mean everything's set?"
Dante stood up as well, his normally steely features etched with an emotion similar to desperation. He quickly blurted out, "Would you like to stay for dinner?"
I was startled by the sudden question, but part of me was joyous that he decided to ask me. I wanted to stay, just a bit longer. I had no idea why, but everything about him just flicked the right switches in my mind. He was burly, intimidating, and just plain huge, but he seemed to have a soft center (and I don't mean his belly.) He was like a wolf in a lot more ways then I had realized. As if the moment Dante decided you were his, he would never leave you be. Always by your side. It might just be my broken heart, yearning for another, but I could tell there was some feelings inside of me that no one else could give. So I answered, in the most honest way possible.
"I would love to stay for dinner."