She gives me another funny look. “It’s you, isn’t it?”
“What’s me?”
“You’re the one Nick’s dating.”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. While neither Nick nor I have done anything to hide that we’re sorta seeing each other, we’ve never been affectionate around Denise or Cadence, and certainly not Hazel, aside from a few hugs when she’s not paying attention.
When I don’t say anything, Cadence laughs. “I don’t know who you think you’re fooling. I see the way you moon over him when he comes home.”
“I… we’re… I mean, we’re friends.”
“Sure.” She rolls her eyes. “Okay, so you want me to make him Thanksgiving dinner? One I’m assuming you’ll enjoy with him?”
What’s the point in lying? “Yes, I probably will.”
“Fine. Whatever. Write down what you want. We’ll make it on Wednesday, so it’s fresh. I’ll need your help with Hazel.”
“Thanks.” I pull out some paper and a pen. “Listen, please don’t say anything to Hazel about this thing with her dad.”
“I’m not an idiot.”
This is going well. I look down at my shoes, not knowing how to make this less awkward.
She sighs. “I don’t mean to be a bitch. I’m just annoyed he didn’t pick me. I’m awesome.”
I laugh at her honesty. “I’m just as shocked as you are. You’re so beautiful and such a good cook, and I’m… a big nerd who’s accident-prone.”
“Girl, no.” After she wipes her hands on a dish towel, she glances down the hall to make sure we’re alone and then lowers her voice. “I’m just being an asshole about this because I like getting my way. He’s hot, and I thought he’d be down for some fun. But you’re awesome too. I’m not saying you’re not. You taught Hazel her alphabet, and I watched you teach her how to use scissors and do all those cool crafts. I watched you sew her Halloween outfit and do that little crochet project. You even designed a book of activities for her. You have plenty of great skills, and deep, deep, deep down, I’m happy for you.”
We both laugh, and I try not to seem too shocked when she hugs me. I mean, yeah, that activity book was cool, but it consisted of assignments I designed for my student teaching last spring. I just sent it off to one of those print-on-demand places so I could have everything in one place for Hazel.
Cadence pulls out the bread, cheese, and butter. “Want a grilled cheese? I’m making some for Hazel and myself.”
“That would be great, thanks. I have to go to the library to tutor someone in a bit. Let me go get my things together.”
After we eat, and I help a baseball player with his English essay, I trudge to the student store at the Athletic Department. I finally have enough money to do this.
The girl at the counter smiles at me. “How can I help you?”
“I need to replace my friend’s letterman jacket. I tore it, and since I can’t live with that guilt, I’d like to buy him another one. I can do that here, right?”
She pauses. “Yes, but they’re really expensive.”
“I know.” I called ahead to double-check the price.
“You’ll need to fill this out.” She hands me a form where I have to spell the athlete’s last name, include his number on the team, note which sport he plays, and select the jacket size. When I hand the paper back to her, her eyes widen. “You ruined Nick Silva’s letterman?”
I suppose I should’ve prepared myself for this. “It’s a long story, but yes.”
She makes a face, like I’m an idiot, and she enters the info into the computer. “It won’t be ready for a few weeks. Do you want to pick it up, or should we mail it?”
In three and a half weeks, I’ll be in Europe. “Maybe you should mail it.” I jot down Nick’s address.
“It’ll be four hundred and fifty-two dollars with tax and shipping.”
Even though I knew the price ahead of time, the sticker shock still gets me. With a sweeping sense of nausea, I hand her my debit card.
If we don’t work out, I’m going to feel like such a fool.
