AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I chance a glance his way, wondering if I overstepped or not with the ‘boyfriend’ comment. Based upon the grin he wears I figure I’m good to go, though Leah’s mouth hangs open like a freaking idiot.
We walk Leah to her car then head over to mine. He pins me against it and gives me a proper kiss. After several breathless moments, he presses his lips to my neck and whispers, “Race you to my house,” then takes off toward his car.
“Cheater!” I holler out, but he’s already inside with the engine started.
My poor little VW Bug versus his shiny new BMW has zero chance of winning. When I pull up in front of David’s house, he is already standing on the porch waiting for me. My dad would have blown a gasket if I got a ticket so I stuck to the speed limit unlike someone else. Speaking of Dad, I better text him before I forget…again.
Just got off work. Don’t wait up. Out with friends. Jess.
“I made a snack for you,” David says after we step inside.
“You spoil me, Mr. Cordova.” A little snack he said. The man has a full-blown picnic spread out on a blanket in the living room. Strawberries dipped in dark chocolate, plump red grapes, crackers and a block of cheese. Off to the side, a bottle of wine chills in a bucket of ice. He gestures for me to sit. “Mi Amor, get comfortable.”
Why do I get goofy inside every time he calls me that?
He sits beside me, snagging a strawberry from the tray and feeding it to me. Is this really happening or is it just a dream? If it’s a dream, please don’t wake me.
Much like the night before, we lie together talking about any and everything until it’s time for me to go. Reluctantly, we say our goodbyes and head home.
***
Things proceed this way for well over a month, seeing each other every night, never going past third base and trust me, my body screams for a home run. But as with most things, the jig is up when my father stops me on my way out.
“Tell me, Jess, what’s his name?” He stands in the entryway, arms crossed over his chest.
I sigh, “David.”
“How did you meet him?”
“Funny you should ask. Cute story really,” I do my best to play it up.
“I’ll be the judge of that,” he scowls.
“I’ve actually known him since kindergarten.” Is that my ace card because if so, I need a backup. This is one conversation I know my dad will not let go of.
“All right, Jess, spill it,” Dad demands.
Here goes nothing. “Do you remember David Cordova from grade school back in Michigan?”
“Vaguely.”
Down to one-word answers, never a good thing. “You have to remember him. It was always the three of us—Maura, David, and I—until he moved at the end of seventh grade.” I was devastated after that, there’s no way Dad doesn’t remember.
“How exactly did you run into him now and in Arizona of all places?”
Well, I can’t tell my dad he was stalking me, because to tell you the truth, I’m still not totally clear on that whole situation myself. So, I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. “I ran into him at the mall, he’s out here to tour the campus at ASU. He’s thinking of enrolling for the fall semester.” There is no way all these fucking lies won’t come back to haunt me.
That response is a pleaser, the scowl on Dad’s face morphs into a hint of approval though he’d never say it. “Well then, we should go to dinner while he’s here. Do you know how long he’s in town for?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll ask him next time I see him.” Way to play it off, Jess.
“Oh, like you weren’t headed that way now?” he questions, brow cocked in disbelief.
Or not.
The mere thought of subjecting David to my mother does not thrill me, but I don’t see that I, we, have any choice in the matter. Personally, I refuse to spend any more time with her than I have to, but my dad asks so little of me that it would be shitty to decline his proverbial olive branch. I’m certain she’ll find a way to be the center of attention while belittling me, which is not my idea of a good time. Especially not in front of David.
Thinking the conversation has ended, I reach for the door when he clears his throat. “Jess, I know you get off at seven on Saturdays so why don’t you ask David if he will meet us at Mario’s around eight?”
