I steal two fries and shove them into my mouth, staring at her the whole time.
She gapes at me. She looks at the phone as if she’s going to take it, but she doesn’t. I like this more aggressive, competitive side of her.
She doesn’t push though, instead she takes a sip of her beer.
I reach for my phone, giving in and I don’t miss the smile on Grace’s face as she takes another a sip of her beer. There are actually two messages waiting for me:
I love you too. But seriously… She’s really nice, and available!
You should meet the girl Ma’s talking about.
That second one is from Ali. I toss the phone down onto the bar and let out a frustrated sigh. I know they’re only playing, and they’re only trying to help, but I’m not interested. A light goes off in my head, and I finally pick up the phone and type a response.
I’m already seeing someone. So I don’t need a date.
Not thirty seconds after setting the phone down does it go off over and over.
What?
Who?
When were you going to tell me about it?
Is she coming to the wedding?
“Oh my God.” Grace’s eyes go wide, although she can’t contain the wide grin on her face. “What did you tell her?”
Sitting up straighter on her stool, she leans over to look as another few text messages come in.
I watch her reaction as she scrolls through them delicately, just using her pointer finger and leaving the phone sitting on the bar. I’m taken aback when the smile falls from her face and she slowly sits back on her stool.
Why didn’t you tell me?
I don’t believe you…
Bring the girl to the wedding, or else!
“So you have a girlfriend?” she asks me softly. I’m not sure if I’m imagining the hurt there, or if it’s genuine.
I grab the phone and read the messages again as I answer. “No, no girlfriend.”
“So you lied?” The happiness comes right back as she bites down on her bottom lip, her eyes on me.
I let a small chuckle slip out. “Yeah. But now I’m screwed.”
“Just say she can’t come.” Grace shrugs, grabbing a fry and chewing at the end. She has no idea what how adamant my family will be to meet thisnew girlfriend. I can’t for the life of me think what I was doing. Maybe I’m just sleep deprived.
After grabbing Frank a beer and asking a few guests if they need anything, I head back to Grace with the inevitable truth: “They’re going to want proof.”
“What?” she says like they’re crazy.
“You didn’t grow up in a small town, did you?” I ask her. She has no idea what it’s like. When everyone knows everything, and word gets around faster than a forest fire in a drought.
She shakes her head, finishing off the fry and reaching for one of the last remaining fried pieces of deliciousness.
“I grew up in Ellijay. My family is nosy, but so is the whole town. Everybody knows everybody’s business.” I pause, considering. “I shouldn’t have told them I’m seeing someone.”
Grace sucks on the tips of her two fingers quickly, most likely for that last bit of salt, and my eyes are drawn to her mouth. She doesn’t mean it to be sexual as she licks the salt clean, but I’ll be damned if it doesn’t turn me on.
