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I shook my head no.
“Take him out with your friends. If he isn’t willing to do it the old school way, then he won’t be taking you anywhere.”
“Yes, Dad.”
***
THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY, I was in Franklin Parks again with Beth, Jake, and Scott for Gregory and Maxine Wright’s wedding celebration party. We were allowed to bring one guest with us. Scott had asked me during lunch and he’d also waited for me after our Biology classes this week to set up a time for us to go on a date. He hadn’t looked too thrilled about a group date, but I’d told him we’d be alone for our second date. Tonight, everyone had a date. I didn’t feel like the odd one out.
Beth and Gregory had dated in high school. Beth had broken up with him, because she’d thought that they needed to see other people. The only people who ignored Beth were Mr. and Mrs. Baxter. For most of the year, Beth’s mom, Cindy, and Mr. Baxter had had an affair and, as far as I knew, it was over.
Jake and Beth talked to Gregory and Maxine, despite the frosty looks from some guests. Beth wasn’t deterred from being here. I’d taken my final exam for my accelerated Stats course earlier this morning and I felt confident about it. Jennifer and I had reviewed each other’s work most nights at the library and I’d done well on the practice exams.
“I am going to get some soda,” Scott told me with his eyes trained on the table filled with food. “What do you want me to get you?”
“Some mozzarella sticks,” I answered from the chair I was sitting on, as I kept my purse on his chair.
Unconsciously, my mind drifted to Hunter and how much I’d enjoyed talking to him. Oddly enough, I hadn’t seen him since we’d had lunch at my job. Beth had only brought his name up in passing and that was when Chase and her had been talking in our room. Tom, a former classmate and co-worker of mine sauntered toward me with his uncle and aunt, Steve and Francine, who had been my former bosses for four years.
“Hey! How’s it going?” I welcomed Tom as he awkwardly braced his hand around my waist as I hauled myself up. An attractive female, with sunflower blonde hair that I recalled had been a junior at our high school stood in the middle of Steve and Francine.
“Great,” Tom responded and I nodded my head at them.
When Scott approached us, the girl propped her hand on Tom’s foreman and I titled my head to face him. Jake was talking to Suzie and Chloe, two girls who he had a night of fun with, prior to starting school at UM.
After I introduced Scott to everyone, Tom said, “This is my girlfriend, Rachel.”
Her eyes caught mine and she basked in being recognized by him with the title. A wave of relief crested through me. Earlier in the summer, Tom and I had gone on a date and we’d shared two kisses that had sealed our platonic fate. He’d been so helpful when I’d worked alongside him at Luigi’s that I’d thought we’d be compatible in other areas.
“Send Janet, Patrick, and Pete our love,” Francine said.
“They wished they could’ve been here to see you, but Dad’s watching Pete tonight and Mom was scheduled to work tonight.”
Francine gave my hand a squeeze and they spread out into the crowd. After I finished my mozzarella sticks, and Scott had eaten his slices of pizza, I could actually see Gregory and Maxine, since guests weren’t swarmed around them anymore.
“It’s really great to meet you,” I told Maxine.
A small smile played over her face. “Likewise. Thanks for coming.”
Jake steadied his arm around my shoulder and Beth looked at ease as she stood beside Scott. “When are you guys heading back to Maine?” Jake asked.
Gregory brought his hand to his forehead. “Tomorrow. At five in the morning, for our seven fifteen flight.”
“Have a safe flight, and, again, congrats,” Jake said.
Beth and I echoed Jake’s words and Scott thanked them for letting him attend.
***
SCOTT AND I WERE on the bench located on the same block as our residence hall, after we’d arrived back on campus. Beth and Jake had gone inside when they knew that I felt comfortable spending time with him alone. The sound of loud music and chatter from the windows of the dorm rooms was a complete contrast to the mellow celebration we’d enjoyed for the night.
“Mariska,” Scott whispered and clasped his hand on top of mine confidently. “Are you free this Friday?”
“Pick me up at eight.”
His hand ventured from my arm and traveled upward until he cupped my chin, the blue in his eyes glimmering. He’d been sociable and everyone had seemed to like him at the party.
Chapter 6
