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I didn’t know why he wouldn’t tell me about her. I didn’t even have grandparents or aunts and uncles to get information from. My mother had been an only child and her parents had died in a freak plane crash right before I was born. I’d often wondered if that had played a part in her depression. I knew better than to press the issue with Auggie, especially now. “What’s this all about?”
“I’m concerned about you dating an older man. A man who has more experience than you,” he clarified.
“Most fourteen-year-olds have more experience than me,” I deadpanned.
“Scarlett, you’re not helping the situation,” he scolded me.
“What situation? I thought you liked Kane.”
“I do. That doesn’t mean I want him dating my daughter. Besides, I’m married to his mother.”
I wanted to say, “Not for long,” but I didn’t think that would go over too well. Yet, something swelled within me. It felt like a backbone. “Nothing has happened between Kane and me, but even if something had, why do you care who I date?”
I’d thought he was silent before—now I couldn’t even hear him breathe. The only thing I could hear was my erratically beating heart. I had never spoken to Auggie in such a way.
“What are you saying?” he finally responded.
“I think you know what I’m saying,” my voice trembled. “You don’t care about me,” I whispered.
“You’re mistaken,” he snapped. “Be careful with Kane. You have your whole life ahead of you.” He hung up.
I stared at my phone. Most daughters would probably cry after a call like that with their father, but I had learned a long time ago not to bother with tears when it came to Auggie. Tears, I had learned, only pushed my father further away. I remembered crying once as a girl and Auggie saying, “Scarlett, whatever you do, please don’t cry.” Then he’d walked away.
While keeping my tears in, I wondered who had called Auggie. And how many people were talking about me. Whoever they were, I bet they were making fun of me for thinking that I could date someone like Kane. That thought made my stomach churn. Maybe I should break off my date with him. Let’s face it, he could ask anyone out. Like any single woman at Armstrong Labs. Heck, probably some of the married women and even a man or two would love to take my place.
Will you please call me when you get a chance? I texted Kane. Though I hated to break the only date I had ever truly looked forward to, I couldn’t have people talking about me and running to my father. Plus, I already knew Kane was out of my stratosphere. Frankly, the whole situation didn’t even seem real. It felt more like I was living out my own rom-com where the quirky girl is actually a hot babe behind her glasses and the gorgeous hero sees her for who she truly is. Except, when I took off my glasses, I wasn’t a hot babe, and there was a good chance Kane would quickly realize my quirky was just weird. After all, knowing me, on our first date I would probably have some mishap worse than getting my hand stuck in my bra. We’re talking my stomach roaring like a lion or a bird crapping on my head. Perhaps even both at the same time. Yep. Better just to cancel. That would solve all my problems.
I leaned my head back against the wall, not feeling overly enthusiastic about breaking my date with Kane. He was different. I wasn’t sure how I knew that considering I basically had no track record for these kinds of things, but something deep inside told me he was. Like somehow, he really did see the girl behind the glasses. And in a weird way, he was helping me to see her too. That said, was it worth the scrutiny? And Auggie was right, Kane was waaaaay more experienced than me. What did Kane expect from all this? From me?
Amid my contemplation Kane called.
I’d admit to getting a bit fluttery just seeing his name on my screen. “Hello?”
“Hello, Scarlett.”
Oh, the way he said my name was delicious, like a big fat chocolate chip cookie made with semisweet chips, because that was the best way. Not to say I wouldn’t eat a milk chocolate chip cookie, but I digress.
“Sorry to interrupt you.”
“Feel free to interrupt me anytime.”
I wished he wouldn’t say things like that. It was weakening my resolve to break off our date.
“Is everything okay?” he asked as if he could read my mind.
“Well . . . nothing is wrong per se.” I let out a huge breath of disappointment. “I think, though, that I’m going to have to cancel our date tomorrow.” Those words almost made me cry.
“Why?” He seemed upset.
