The Comeback (7 page)

A
s I got ready on Friday night, I told myself it was just Dev and it wasn't a date, it was research, but there were still butterflies floating around in my stomach.

“Mom, I'm going over to Monet's,” I said. Except, of course, Monet wouldn't be there.

“Oh, that's nice. I'm going out myself. I'm meeting a friend for drinks. Tell Monet I said hi.”

A friend, huh? She sounded distracted. Was it possible that my mom had a date? She hadn't dated much since the divorce.

When Dev answered the door, I realized that a date with me really was the farthest thing from his mind. He was wearing holey jeans and a ratty old T-shirt, and was barefoot. He still looked devastatingly attractive and I had to remind myself that I was there to study my craft, nothing more. Still, I was glad
that I had dressed down in a
Wicked
T-shirt and faded (but still flattering) jeans.

“I'm glad you're on time,” he said. “I already went to the video store. I rented
10 Things I Hate About You,
but the guy at the counter recommended this old movie called
Kiss Me, Kate
, so I got that, too. He said it's another retelling.”

Dev actually wanted to spend four hours with me?

“I'll make some popcorn,” he said. “Meet you in the family room.”

I knew Dev had a television and DVD player in his room. It wasn't that I wanted to be alone in his bedroom, but I was a little miffed that, apparently, neither did he. I reminded myself that I was no longer the hottest girl in school. Or, if the newest poll was true, even in the top twenty.

There was no sign of Mr. and Mrs. Lucero. Monet and Dev's parents traveled a lot, so it was possible they were gone for the weekend.

Monet and Dev never had any parties, though. They said they'd get killed, but I think the truth was that they plain old didn't want to disappoint their parents.

I debated about where to sit, but Dev had already placed a couple of sodas on the coffee table in front of the soft, squishy couch.

“Do you like butter on your popcorn?” Dev shouted from the kitchen.

“The more the better,” I replied. After all, I wasn't trying to impress him.

Dev came back with a big bowl of popcorn and a bag of mini Hershey's. He sat next to me. I jumped a little when he reached behind me, but he was only shutting off the lamp on the table behind the sofa.

If he noticed my skittishness, he didn't comment. “Which movie do you want to watch first?”

“
Kiss Me, Kate,
” I decided. Funny, Connor had never asked my opinion. He didn't mean anything by it, but I was realizing it was nice to be consulted.

At first, I couldn't relax. I was hyperaware of Dev's body so close to mine, but as the movie progressed I relaxed.

I suppressed a yawn.

Dev handed me a soda. “Too many late nights?”

“Of course not,” I said. “Haven't you heard? I have no social life.”

“This is social,” he said. He pointed to the junk food spread out on the coffee table. “Dinner and a movie.”

“You're a cheap date,” I observed. “I mean—” I clapped my hands over my mouth. “I don't m-mean…” I stuttered.

“Relax, Donnelly,” he said. “I know what you meant.” He leaned back and draped his arm over the back of the couch.

I finally did relax. I'd known Dev forever, and his
days of putting worms down my back were over. Popcorn, however, was another matter.

A kernel of popcorn somehow made its way down my back. His fingertips brushed against my bare skin and I shivered.

“Hey,” I said. “I thought your bratty days were behind you.”

He grinned. “Evidently not.” He threw another kernel down the back of my neck.

I scooped up a handful of popcorn. “You're in for it now, Lucero.” I reached over and dumped it in the front opening of his shirt.

“Watch the threads,” he teased.

“Because that's your good shirt?” I mocked him.

“Because it's my favorite shirt,” he said.

“Too bad,” I said. “You started it.”

Suddenly, it was an all-out popcorn fight. I laughed hysterically as I volleyed popcorn at his head.

He retaliated by running to the kitchen. He returned with a cupful of ice.

“Not fair,” I said as he advanced.

He moved in as close as a kiss, and suddenly, my breathing slowed. His eyes warmed. Neither of us looked away.

“Sophie,” he said. He leaned in closer.

“What's going on here?” Monet's voice interrupted.

I inhaled, still caught in Dev's gaze.

He put the cup down and reached for the remote. “We were taking a break. Want some popcorn?”

I couldn't meet Monet's eyes. I was almost sure Dev had been about to kiss me. And I was completely certain I would have kissed him back.

Dev started
10 Things I Hate About You
and Monet plunked herself between us on the couch. She didn't say a word, but I could tell she was mad at me.

It was almost midnight when the movie ended. I yawned again.

“I didn't see your car outside,” Monet said. It was the first thing she'd said to me in an hour. Halfway through the movie, she'd asked me to pass her the candy, but that was it.

“I walked,” I explained.

I expected Monet to ask me about that, but instead she gave me a level stare.

“I should be getting home,” I said.

“I'll give you a ride,” Dev said.

Monet made a furious little noise.

“No, that's okay,” I said. “I can walk back. It's only a couple of blocks.”

“I'll drive you,” Monet said. “I want to talk to you, anyway.”

I met Dev's eyes. We both knew we were in trouble.

S
he pulled into my driveway and cut the engine. “Please tell me you are not interested in my brother,” she said.

“We're just friends,” I said. “I thought you'd be happy we're getting along.”

“It looked like you were getting along all right,” she said. “And he was wearing his lucky jeans.”

His lucky jeans? What did that mean? They certainly fit him well. I fanned myself with my hand. “Is it hot in here?”

“No, it's not,” she said. “And quit changing the subject.”

“We were just improvising,” I said. I met her eyes, but it took an effort. I didn't like lying to my best friend, but what choice did I have?

“Good,” she said, “because Scott has this friend—”

I groaned. “Now I'm so pathetic that my best friend has to set me up on a blind date? No way.”

“He's really nice,” she said. “He has a great—”

“Don't you dare say personality,” I warned.

“Smile,” she finished. “And he's blond and athletic. Totally your type.”

“What's the catch?” I wasn't sure a Connor clone
was
my type any longer.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, what's wrong with him? Why is he on the market?”

“He's a freshman in college. His name is Tanner. He broke up with his girlfriend a couple of months ago. They tried the long-distance thing, but it didn't work. He works with Scott at the art supply store.”

“Can I think about it?”

“Of course,” she said. “But, Sophie, don't wait too long. You've got to get over Connor sometime and get back into dating.”

“Is that what everyone thinks? That I'm pining over Connor?” The thought horrified me.

“Maybe,” Monet said. “You know how people are.”

“Hmm. Maybe a college boy
is
just what I need.” I felt a thrill of satisfaction at the thought. I'd been momentarily distracted from my goal. A college boyfriend could do a lot to prop up my fading status.

“Scott and I are going out tomorrow night,” Monet said. “We'll probably catch a movie. You and Tanner could go with us.”

I nodded. “Can we have dinner at Wicked Jack's first?” We were bound to see some of the kids from school there, which would get the rumor mill going and, hopefully, start mending my broken reputation.

It had been a long time since I'd been on a first date, so it was natural that I was nervous. Tanner and Scott were meeting us at my house. Nice guy or not, I needed to meet him on my own turf. I was still skeptical that Tanner was a great catch. Why was he willing to date a high school girl? And why would he need a setup? Then again, why did I?

I bounced on my bed and checked my watch.

“Will you relax, already?” Monet said.

“What if he doesn't like me?” I said. “Or worse, what if he's a troll?”

“He's not a troll.”

I ignored her comment. “If he's a troll, we're not going to Wicked Jack's,” I warned.

“He's not a troll, I promise.”

She was right. He was definitely not a troll, at least not on the outside.

I gave him the once-over as Monet introduced us. He was taller than Connor, I noticed with satisfaction. Blond hair, blue eyes, broad shoulders. Pretty much the epitome of my type, so why did I feel like something was missing?

“Where would you like to go for dinner?” Tanner said politely, after we'd exchanged a few pleasantries.

I met Monet's eye and winked. “Monet and I thought we could go to Wicked Jack's.”

Scott groaned, but he didn't complain.

On the ride over, I asked Tanner a few questions: major (undeclared), sport (baseball, like Connor).

Finally, I decided to ask straight out what I really wanted to know. “What made you agree to go out with me? I mean, you're in college. I'm sure you could have your pick of girls.”

He blushed. “Uh, I saw a picture of you. Scott mentioned that you'd recently broken up with your boyfriend. So we have that in common.”

“You recently broke up with your boyfriend?” The words came out before I could restrain myself. As usual.

“Huh?” he said. His face clouded over.

Poor Tanner was dumb as a stump. It was becoming clear to me now.

“Never mind,” I muttered. “Do you still talk to your ex much?”

“Every day,” he said.

I lifted an eyebrow.

“We're still good friends,” he said. “And I miss her. You look a lot like her. Annabel has the sweetest disposition.”

I hoped Monet could hear this in the front seat. She'd set me up with a lovelorn fool who thought I looked like his ex. And I thought he looked like
my
ex.

I suppressed a caustic comment with difficulty. We were almost at Wicked Jack's. No time for the reply dancing on my tongue. I needed to give the impression that everything was peachy.

The restaurant was packed. I smiled at Tanner sweetly and wrapped my arm around his bicep. I gave the impression that I was absorbed in his every word, but my eyes scanned the room. Who was there?

Olivia Kaplan, sitting at a booth with Hannah and a bunch of their friends. Good.

Connor and Angie, sitting in a dark corner. Angie looked amazing in a simple green dress. A little much for the restaurant, but judging by the way Connor had his tongue down her throat, he didn't seem to mind.

I waved to Ava, who was sitting with a bunch of kids from Monet's art class.

My stomach lurched when I met Dev's eyes. What was he doing at Wicked Jack's on a Saturday night? He was with the guys from the swim team and didn't
see the little wave I gave him. Beth was giving him the eye from a table a few feet away. Stalker, much?

I was one to talk, I know. Of course, I picked Wicked Jack's because I knew Connor would probably be there. He was a creature of habit, utterly lacking in originality. It had never bothered me before, but now Connor's little flaws were getting on my nerves.

All the tables were full, so we had to wait for an opening.

“I'm starving,” I said. “Let's wait over here.” I headed for a table of freshman girls. It was clear from the pile of empty dishes that they'd been there for a while. I gave a little blonde an icy stare and she practically leaped to her feet.

“Behave yourself,” Monet hissed, “and quit terrorizing the freshmen.”

“I didn't do anything,” I protested. “Besides, they were finished, anyway.”

Five minutes later, the table had been bused and we were seated.

I craned my head, pretending to look for our server, but I was really checking out the reaction of the room. Olivia and Hannah were practically doing a Linda Blair to see who I was with.

Dev was glaring at me. I gave him another wave. “Your brother's here,” I said to Monet. “Let's go say hi to him.”

She stared at me. “Why would I want to do that? I see him all the time.” She gave me a suspicious look. “What's up with you?”

I leaned in. “He's sitting a few tables away from Connor.”

“So?”

“So I want Connor to see me here with Tanner,” I explained.

“Hi, Sophie.” I jumped. Connor was standing at our table. There was no sign of Angie.

“Why, hello, Connor,” I said.

Connor stuck out his hand to Tanner. “Connor Davis,” he said. “I'm Sophie's—”

“Connor and I are in a play together,” I interrupted. “With his girlfriend, Angie.”

Who, I saw from the corner of my eye, was looking decidedly grouchy, sitting alone at their table.

“This is my friend Tanner,” I said to him. Connor's eyes focused on Tanner's arm, which was casually draped over the back of my chair.

“You look familiar,” Connor said. “Do you go to Eisenhower?”

Tanner smiled. “No, man. The university.”

Connor cleared his throat. “Oh. How did you and Sophie meet?”

Tanner started to answer, but I cut him off before the words
blind date
could cross his lips.

“Monet and Scott introduced us,” I said. “It appears Angie is trying to get your attention,” I added.

Connor didn't budge from our table. “How long have you two been going out?” he persisted.

A soft voice broke into our conversation. “Connor, our food is here.” Angie stood at our table in all her glory. I gauged Tanner's reaction. He wasn't staring or drooling or anything else the boys at my high school did at the sight of Angie.

“Hi, Angie,” I said politely. “Would you like to join us?”

Connor looked alarmed at the suggestion. “Go on back to the table. I'll be there in a minute, babe.”

She didn't budge.

“Connor, I wanted to get to know your new girlfriend a little better,” I said.

Angie flinched.

Unfortunately, our food arrived then and Connor finally retreated to his own table, with Angie trailing in his wake.

“That wasn't awkward at all,” Monet commented wryly. “And what was that all about? You can't stand Angie.”

“Just trying to be friendly,” I said. I fiddled with my napkin to hide my expression.

“That was your ex, huh?” Tanner said. Maybe he wasn't so dumb after all.

I nodded.

“Seems like a nice guy,” he continued.

I took a bite of my pasta and smiled at him. It had been a very successful first date. I could see it in the faces of my classmates. I was on my way back to the top.