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“They do,” I tell her. “Is there something you need my help with?”
“Maybe,” she says. “I’ll let you know.” And then she walks away with Sammy, leaving me to wonder what’s going on. Please let it not be something that complicates my life further.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE
MELISSA
My mind has been working in overdrive ever since Jamie dropped me off last night. Becoming really good friends with him has left me with only one thought about men. I don’t want to date anybodybuthim. The problem is that I have no idea how to make that happen as he’s obviously not interested in dating me. Or so he says.
At three a.m., all sorts of schemes start coming to mind, including trying to make him jealous by telling him about a bunch of other guys I’m interested in, orchestrating a full-on seduction, and finally, asking for Sammy’s help. Nobody knows Jamie like she does.
Ultimately, I decide that starting a relationship on a manipulative note is probably not the best way to go. More’s the pity.
Once Sammy and I are in the store, I steer her toward the feminine hygiene aisle. “You’re going to want to get regular pads for the day and something heavy duty for night when you won’t be changing as often.”
Sammy’s eyes glimmer with sheer excitement. “I’m a woman now,” she says proudly.
“Yes, you are,” I tell her while nudging her arm playfully. “It’s all boobs, boys, and drama from here on out.”
“I hope there are cute boys in junior high.” She’s so wistful sounding. I forget what it was like to feel such optimism about the opposite sex.
“I’m sure there will be at least one or two,” I tell her while picking out several different boxes of supplies.
“Melissa …” she starts but doesn’t continue.
“What’s up, kid?”
“Are you and my dad dating?”
Holy heck, where did that come from? “We’re just friends,” I tell her.
“Good.”
“You don’t want me to date your dad?”
“The last time he dated someone, it sort of wrecked my life.”
“But I don’t have any kids and I’d never bully you,” I try to assure her.
She throws some pain medication into the cart. “I just think it’s better if you guys don’t date.”
“Well, okay then.” I’m still not giving up on the idea of me and Jamie. Now I just have two people to convince instead of one. Good times.
After we add a family-size bag of mini chocolate bars to our cart—I advised Sammy on the very delicate sanity/chocolate consumption ratio during her time of month—we head to the front to check out.
She says, “I’m glad you’re here, but whyareyou here exactly?”
This is Jamie’s news to tell, not mine, so I say, “I told your dad last night that I didn’t have any plans today and that I wished I had some friends to hang out with. I practically begged him to invite me over.”
Sammy puts her purchases on the conveyor belt. “It’s perfect timing if you ask me.” She proudly hands the cashier her money before we make our way back out to the car.
When we get there, Sammy gets into the back, and once again I’m sitting next to Jamie. In addition to feeling a little unsettled, I have a strong sense that this is where I’m meant to be—at his side.
Once we get to their rental house, Sammy grabs her overnight bag and before she opens the car door she announces, “I’m gonna go take a shower.”
“Come find us as soon as you’re done,” Jamie tells her. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
She looks between the two of us and blurts out, “You said you guys weren’t dating.” She sounds mad, like she’s been lied to.
