My Forever (38 page)

I start to interrupt but she shakes her head. I know then that she knows. I didn’t tell her
,
but I bet Michael did.

“Michael.” She
stares
. “And then Lucas again and you work for a guy who you don’t realize is falling completely in love with you. I’ve seen you two work together.”

What
?

“You’re going to find a nice way so that all of us can hang out together and then when Justin asks you for a one on one, which he is sure to do.” She looks at Justin. “You’ll probably say yes.”

I laugh and all I can think of to say in return is, “Hank is not falling in love with me.”

“Oh, he is.”  She’s certain. “He just might not know it yet. I give you two more months, three, tops, before something happens.”

“I’m speechless.” I have nothing else.

“So, beauty queen,” Cody says. “Does this mean we have a date?”

“Yeah.” She looks bored. “But only if you bring your busboy with you.” She gestures to Justin.

Wow. I, Dani, will be going on a date. I have no idea how I feel about this.

26

My double date with Jackie, Cody and Justin is happening tonight. I don’t want to be late. Apparently Jackie has known Cody since Middle School. He’s asked her out a million times. She says he feels like a cousin
,
but it makes the evening safe for her.

The boys arrive with dinner just on time. The plan is to take Jackie’s lake boat out for a ride. I’m so used to the accessibility of it that it’s not special to me like it once was. Jackie drives the boat to the middle of the lake and cuts the engine.

“So, what do you do, Justin?” I’m curious.

“Right now I’m a professional student.” He smiles. “I’d like to be a History professor
,
but it
takes a while
.”

“Wow, that’s awesome.”

“How about you?”

“I feel like I’m in transition,” I answer honestly. It’s true. I feel guilty on this non-date date with someone I hardly know, even though Michael made me promise that I’d live like he didn’t exist.

“Aren’t we all.
”
He laughs. “And you’ve known Jackie for a long time?”

“No, just over a year.” I can’t believe I’ve lived with her for that long. It seems impossible. “We’re roommates.”

“Where was home before that?”

“Alaska. My family lives in Anchorage.”

“Do you see them much?” he asks.

“Never.” Wow, this is going to be harder than I thought. There’s a lot of history with me. How did I not think of this?

He sensed that the mood has changed. “Sorry.”

“My dad is a pastor. I joined the church when I turned eighteen
,
and he kicked me out of the house.” I’m not ready to tell him about Eliza yet. It seems too personal and too sacred.
Too special to share with someone on a boat on the first date.

“Wow. You know you hear those faith promoting stories but you’re the first one I’ve met in real life.”

“And do
es it promote your faith?” I tease
.

“I think it does.” He smiles back. “But more than that, it makes me grateful for what I did have growing up.”

I think of Eliza again.

“So, you know I’m a History dork
,
and I know you’re cool enough to work with one of the best photographers in Seattle, as well as hang out with the mighty Jackie
Caine
, but what does Dani do for fun?”

I think. “Well, mostly, take pictures, but if I really need a stress break, I hit the arcade and play all the old coin ops from the eighties.”

“Are you joking?” He leans toward me. “Because that, to me, would be a really exciting tease.”

“Are you kidding and going to make fun of me?” I ask.

“Are you going to do that to me?”
h
e asks back.

“No…” We’re both hesitant now.

“What’s your favorite? I’m killer at Asteroid and Centipede.”

“I can hold my own at Centipede
,
but
P
acman
is my best game.”

“Wow, you’re a
P
acman
girl. That’s hot.”
He nods slowly with a goofy smile on his face.
So, kind of a nerd, but in a good way.

I laugh. A real, full laugh, and it feels amazing.

“So, was Jackie just teasing me and saying that you’ll say yes if I ask you out on another date?”

Nerves are in full force. I’m an adult now. This is different than dating in high
school.
“Only if you take me to the arcade.”
That’s harmless and fun enough,
not worth feeling guilty over. I’m
following Michael’s instructions.

He puts his hands to his chest. “You’ve m
ade my night, Dani.” He sits up.
“Miss…” He stops. “Last name?”

“
LeClaire
.”

“Ah!
Francaise
.”

“Mexican.”

“So your dad is the
frenchie
.”

“Quebecois.”

“
So you’re really not a US citizen at all, you’re from Mexico and Canada.”

“Guess that means I’m conflicted.”

“
Hablo
espagnol
?” His accent is phenomenal.

“Si,” I answer, and we take off from there.
I’m really out of practice, and never spoke that well to begin with, but it comes back fast.
I learn that he served his mission in Mexico, that he’s third of eight, just like me. We talk like this, back and forth in Spanish for five minutes or so until Jackie interrupts.

“Oh my
gosh
, you two.” Jackie stares. “You’re totally missing the point of being on a double date. I’m stuck over here with Cody who continues to insist that I’m secretly in love with him.”

“Cody,” I say seriously. “Jackie is not secretly in love with you.”

“Thank you, Dani. Now that Justin has asked you out on a single date, can we go home?” she asks.

I nod. “We can go home.”

Cody is laughing with Jackie. He may like her a little
,
but even I can tell they’re just good friends. I w
onder why Jackie doesn’t date because
I still don’t know if I buy her story.

~
~
~

School starts, Fall Semester, and I’m in for another round of general education requirements. I’m looking forward to time speeding up again like it does when I’m too busy
,
but that’s only for the purpose of Michael coming home. I realize that I shouldn’t be excited about dating Justin when I’m looking forward to Michael’s return, but the thought of it all is exhausting so I think back to school.

Hank isn’t thrilled with me having a schedule outside of his
,
but he’ll get used to it. Poor Jackie’s in law school and it would stress anyone else out, but not her. Why would she worry? She’s Jackie
Caine
.

~
~
~

Over the next few weeks Jackie’s mood goes from normal Jackie to someone I avoid. She’s not bad. She’s just snappy and distracted. We’re both busy so it’s not a problem
,
but I’m amazed at her mood change just the same.

It takes Justin and me a few weeks to get together. We’re busy with school and work and we both want to make sure we have a whole evening. He asks a few times to come over for a Sunday afternoon, but that’s our time with Jackie’s mom and Clint. Besides, Jackie’s weird about boys at her place.

When we finally find a night to go out, I realize that I can’t go into the arcade dressed like a Jackie. I call Justin.

“I wanted to warn you that I’m in gaming wear.”

“Um… What does that mean?” he asks.

“That means I’m
in my favorite chucks, a T
-shirt and a hoodie.”

“Wow.” He sighs. “
It’s like my dream come true…
” He exaggerates every word like he’s a princess staring at her new ball gown.

“Oh be quiet
.” I laugh. “I’m trying to make sure you don’t feel like an overdressed dork tonight.”

“Thanks.” He hangs up the phone
,
and I’m giddy.

~
~
~

Justin shows up in a T
-shirt that says, “I ate
Pacman
.”

I shake my head at him. “It is
so
on.”

“Awesome.” He takes my hand
,
and we walk up the street together. It’s rainy and already getting dark
,
but it’s okay. We’re going to have a great time.

And we do.

~
~
~

“Dani, there’s a party here on Friday
.
I need you.” Hank says as we finish up. We’ve spent the whole day photographing a pretty girl whose parents think she’s going to be the next big thing. Hank hates these jobs
,
but he’ll do just about anything if the salary is right. I laugh all the time at the mix of stereotypes that he is.