“Yeah, exactly. So, when are you free?”
“Um.” She looked away from me, her lips twisting then relaxing into a smile. “How about now?” She shrugged. “I’m still pretty new so I don’t have any plans or social life. Good timing on your part.”
I grinned at her. “Okay then, well do you want to go to the library? Or we could go work at my place. I live about a ten minute drive from here.”
Her blue eyes shifted in the direction I was pointing, her expression giving me nothing. Finally she gave a short nod. “Your place sounds good.”
“Cool.” I had to force myself to go for a half smile rather than the full on beam I felt like showing. I didn’t want to come across as desperate, but I was stoked that I’d get to spend a little time with her now. I was hoping to put a few more pieces together.
So far I had athletic tomboy who was afraid of the water, but forced herself to swim anyway. This just added to my damn, she is a mentally strong chick theory, which also made me feel better. I didn’t want to fall…I mean, be intrigued…by a damsel in distress again. I liked that Dani was so competent.
We were pulling out of the school parking lot when I decided to break the silence.
“So, how do you like Danville so far?”
“It’s okay.” She scratched the side of her nose. “I haven’t really had a chance to check it out yet.”
“Well, if you need a tour guide.” My smile was cheesy. I could tell by the look on her face. I was trying too hard and failing miserably.
She turned away from me and kept her eyes out the window…and I stupidly kept talking.
“So, why’d you move here?”
“My dad’s work.” Her nose wrinkled.
“Oh yeah and what does he do?”
She pulled in a slow breath. Buying time? Or maybe just trying for the right words.
“I don’t know his official title and he has one of those stupid jobs that’s really hard to explain. All I can tell you is that it’s to do with computers. Companies hire him to install software into their systems and then hang around until it’s basically glitch free.”
“So, you move where the money is then?”
“Pretty much. He does work for a bigger company… Computer Tech something-or-other and they set him up with various jobs. They can be anywhere from one month to four month stints.”
“Whoa, so you move around a lot then.”
“Yeah.” She tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear. “I mean, I guess I could home school, but it’s just me and my dad, so it’s not like I’d have anyone to help me with stuff…and the idea of boarding school is just too hideous, so traveling it is.”
“What happened to your mom?”
Her face pinched tight, her brows dipping together.
“Sorry, too far.” I shook my head. “Forget I asked.”
She wasn’t looking at me, but I could feel her expression softening. “She died when I was young,” Dani whispered. I barely caught the words, her voice was so soft and distant.
I didn’t want to speak after that. I was such an idiot! Always asking too many questions.
In spite of my self-loathing, I had figured out why Danielle Harrison seemed so self-sufficient. With moving around so much, she had to be. I tried not to judge her father, but couldn’t help wondering what kind of parent dragged their child from place to place for work. I guessed if they only had each other…
Catching Dani’s eye, I forced a smile and pulled onto my street. Our house was the fifth from the corner. It was a dark orange, brick place that had been built in the ‘70s. Pretty simple, but neat and tidy. My parents were house freaks, always doing yard work and spring cleaning, so for an older place it looked pretty good. I had mown the lawn over the weekend and with Dani getting out of my car and sweeping her eyes over the property, I was suddenly glad Dad made me do it.
“Hmm,” Dani murmured as she got out of the car. “And here I was thinking you lived in a palatial mansion.”
I chuckled. “No, that would be Elliot and Liesl. The rest of us are the paupers of the group.” I winked.
She nodded, a small frown denting her forehead.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m great.” She grinned, her expression clearing.
I led her through the front entrance and dumped my bag next to the dining room table. I figured Dani would be super uncomfortable working in my room. She barely knew me.
“Drink? Something to eat?” I pointed at the kitchen.
“Sure.” Dani slung the bag from her shoulder to the floor with an easy smile.
I pottered around in the kitchen while she unzipped her bag and pulled out her pencil case, sliding into a seat at the table. I loved how elegantly she moved, like smooth, flowing water. I placed two glasses of lemonade and a plate of Mom’s chocolate slice on the table. It was her go-to baking recipe. She didn’t bake much, but when she did, she always made a double batch of chocolate slice. Dani’s eyes lit up when she saw the plate. I’d cut really big pieces this time. Two each.