Doesn’t mean I like it. “Lunch was cruel. I don’t know how long I can keep that up.”
“I was unfair. I’m sorry.”
I shake my head and move toward him. “I didn’t say it wasn’t amazing. Cruel and amazing. Remind me to tell you about the vision.”
“I will, but you should go. Seriously. We can’t go where this conversation is headed. Not now, and really not ever.”
I bite my lip, testing his resolve that seems to weaken with each passing second. Finally, he grunts and ducks toward the door. “You’re impossible.”
I was actually looking forward to hanging with Sara, Matthew, and Connor tonight. I needed a distraction—contact without drama—and an hour in, it feels great to be a teenager again for five minutes.
Sara and Matthew have obvious crushes on each other, which amuses Connor and me at first. As the night wears on, we get a front row seat to a budding romance, and I try to be happy for them. I am happy for them, but my head keeps battling a tiny ember of jealousy. I wish I were here worrying about which seat has the greatest chance of elbow contact. I’d love to be bickering over the last piece of popcorn or other films the leading lady has been in. What would it be like to be here with Daniel now? To cuddle on the couch, and hold his hand, and hear his laugh? Instead, I have to wonder whether an extended absence means my crush is being imprisoned in the basement. I force away images of him strapped to a chair and try my best to chuckle at Connor’s latest joke. I fear I’m not doing a good job fitting in when he leans close.
“You know this is supposed to be a comedy, right?”
I manage a quick smile.“Sorry. I have a lot on my mind. This is probably just what I needed, though.”
“Well, we’re masters at distraction if that’s what you need.”
“Yeah, I’m getting that.”
Connor grins and motions toward the couple giggling at the television. “So what do you think? Yes or no?”
“To Sara and Matthew together?”
He nods.
“I guess yes. They’re both good people.”
He stretches an obvious arm around my shoulders. “So does that make us the respective wingmen as this thing gets off the ground?”
I can’t help but snort a laugh. “I have to warn you that I’m not a great wingman. I mean, I’ve been sulking pretty much all night.”
“Yeah, but you look cute sulking.”
I shift in my seat to give Connor a closer inspection. Under other circumstances, I probably would have welcomed an advance. Warm brown eyes, sandy hair, exuding sunshine—he’s pretty much the opposite of Daniel. He’s everything I should want but don’t now that Daniel’s disrupted my world. I duck away from his arm, and he removes it from the back of the couch with a weak smile.
“Thanks. You seem like more than a worthy wingman,” I offer as consolation, and he accepts it graciously.
“My brother was two years older and an all-state quarterback. I have many years of playing second fiddle under my belt. Literally. I’ve been playing since I was twelve.”
“Really?” I laugh again when he shakes his head with a sly grin.
“No, but how cool would that have been? I should’ve learned just so I could say that ten years down the road. Wish I’d planned ahead.”
“Ah yes, if only we knew then what we know now.”
He glances at the TV. “This movie sucks. Want to give them some privacy?”
“Sure.”
“We’re gonna get some air. You kids have fun,” Connor says to the other couple.
“You sure?” Sara asks me.
“Yeah, this movie is terrible,” I add with a light tone. “Besides, Connor was telling me about his fiddle playing, and I’m dying to hear more details.”
“You play an instrument?” Matthew asks in surprise.
