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“That’s because I was scared to death of dating again,” she said. “Plus, I figured there was no way Leo was as perfect as he seemed.”
“And yet he is.”
As if talking about the man summoned him, Leo Marakis appeared at the threshold.
“Don’t you two look comfy?” He walked across the studio and sat next to Anjannette. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her closer to him and gave her a quick kiss. “How was the open house?”
“It was amazing,” Anjannette said. “The studio was full most of the day and everyone seemed to have a great time.”
He listened as we filled him in on the details and even asked questions, truly interested. Whenever I mentioned pole to Brian, or any of my former boyfriends, they barely listened.
It’s funny, I grew up with parents who adore each other. They’re partners in every sense of the word. So were my grandparents. Yet I ended up dating a string of guys who belittled and berated me.
The thing is that none of them did it in an obvious way. It’s like that old saying about how if you put a frog in boiling water it'll jump out. But if you place it in and slowly turn up the heat, it'll allow itself to be boiled alive. And that’s exactly what happened with every guy I dated. They subtly insulted me and by the time they were obvious about it, I was too beaten down to leave.
“Keera? Are you okay?”
Based on Anjannette’s tone, I’m guessing it wasn’t the first time she said my name.
“Sorry, I think all my adrenalin from the day is wearing off.”
“I hear you. I’m feeling tired too, but mostly I’m hungry,” she said. “Leo and I are going to grab a bite to eat. Want to join us?”
“No thanks, I’m going to head home.” I stood and smiled down at her. “I have a phone call to make.”
She jumped up and pulled me into a tight hug. Loosening her hold just enough to look me in the eye, she glanced over at Leo then met my gaze again.
“Sometimes changing things up pays off.”
“Don’t start planning the wedding yet. It’s just dinner.”
“That’s a good start.”
Simon
Shannonand I grabbed a bite to eat after the open house and she shocked the hell out of me by staying in for the second night in a row. Then she surprised me again when she asked if I wanted to play Madden. It’s the only video game she really got into and back in the day, she kicked ass. But I figure she won’t be as good now since she probably hasn’t touched a controller in more than a decade.
We headed down to the basement and I grabbed Madden 07 off the shelf and popped it into the Playstation 2 that’s still hooked up to the ancient rear-projection TV. Our parents keep saying they’re going to renovate down here, but the closest they’ve come is replacing the furniture with the old upstairs living room set. Hanging out here is like being in a time warp. Aside from the old TV, our favorite toys through the ages line the built-in shelves throughout the room.
“Do you think they’ll ever renovate this space?” Shannon asked.
I’m not surprised our thoughts are on the same wavelength. It happens a lot, even when we’re in separate cities.
I sat on the other end of the couch and brought the game to life.
“I’m kind of wondering if they’re just gonna sell the house and move.”
“Don’t even say that.”
“Why?”
“This is our childhood home. You wouldn’t care if they got rid of it?”
“Not really,” I said. “I mean, it’d be weird, but I’d survive.”
“I’d hate it.”
She shifted and sat cross-legged on the couch. Resting her elbows on her knees, she held the controller in a death grip, and shifted her attention to the TV. I guess she’s ready to play.
