I give him a surprised look. “Thanks.”
“Well, it’s true. You keep people, and animals, safe.”
The warmth I feel in my chest is unwelcome. I want to get along with Scott. I want him to think that I am good enough for his daughter. But I don’t want to start wanting his approval and attention. I’m past all of that. He is just a guy. He’s not a hero, he’s not a role model, he’s just a guy. And I’m a grown man who doesn’t have or need a hero or role model anymore.
“So, have you guys seen what they’re doing for the girls tonight after we all clear out?” Charlie asks.
“Yeah, we’re setting them up for movies here in the backyard,” my dad says.
We laugh. It’s his backyard. Obviously he knows what’s going on.
Charlie looks straight at me. “Yeah. They’re putting up a big sheet to project the movie onto like a big movie screen. Then, setting the girls up with pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags. They’re stringing up twinkle lights too, making it a whole outdoor movie theater thing. Isn’t that a cool, unique idea?”
I widen my eyes at my brother. What the fuck is he doing?
“That sounds cool. Need some help putting the lights up or something?” Ty asks.
“Yeah, I could use some help with that. I think there’s probably some poles to string the lights from? What do you think, David? Does that sound right?”
I am going to beat my brother before I kill him.
“Why are you asking me?” I ask. “I’m guessing Mom and Dad have it worked out.”
“Oh, I don’t know, actually,” Dad says. “The idea was Mia and Sloan’s.”
Hearing her name, and the fact that she loaned our movie idea to them for the birthday party, makes heat arrow through my gut.
Fuck, I like that girl. And now I really want to fucking kiss her. I want to find her, pull her into a secret corner, and kiss the hell out of her.
“Oh well, then why don’t you go ask them?” I say to Charlie, trying to keep my voice and expression calm.
“Yeah, they said something about poles and lights. I was hoping maybe you could help.”
I narrow my eyes, but nod. “Happy to help. What exactly do you need?”
“Could you go in the house and get the lights?”
“Do you want me to help you put up poles?” Dad asks. “Or I can go in and find the lights. I think they’re in the kitchen.”
Charlie shakes his head quickly. “We’ve got it. Go get the lights, David.”
“Okay, Jesus.” I get up. Things were going good with Scott. I could’ve used a few more minutes. But maybe it’s better in short spurts like this. There’s a chance I would’ve said something sarcastic or rude if we kept talking. Or worse, I would have started trying to impress him.
I head into the kitchen, assuming that strings of lights will be easy to locate.
But I come up short.
Suddenly, Charlie’s insistence that I help with the project makes sense.
“Hi,” Mia says with a big smile.
It’s just her and me in the kitchen.
Okay, but I’m still going to get him back for the “She’s very hands-on for a librarian”.
“Hi.” I cross the floor to where she’s standing, crowding close.
The window to my right over the sink looks out over the backyard and if anyone looks in the window, they could see us standing close together. We need to be careful here. But this is the first time I’ve had a chance to really talk to her.
