I liked that we were a tight group and I couldn’t imagine ever losing my friendship with any of them. Jaeda ran her finger over her empty plate to get the last of the sauce. Sticking her finger in her mouth, she shot me a wink.
Dani noticed, her eyes jerking to the side so she could see me. Maybe she thought there was something going on with me and Jae, but… I grimaced. That would be like dating a sister. Eww.
“What’s your problem?” Jaeda frowned.
“Nothing.” I shook my head.
She brushed me off and pulled the group in with her energetic eyes and a sweep of her hand. “So, this weekend I was thinking…” Pause for effect. She always did that. “Movie-a-thon at the Zacksters tomorrow night and then maybe head into San Fran on Sunday. Go look around Chinatown or something.”
The others nodded, open to the suggestions.
“Wanna come?” I nudged Dani’s elbow.
She looked at me, her expression pale. Blinking her eyes, she forced a grin…one filled with a regret I couldn’t quite buy into. “I can’t this weekend. My dad has plans, so…”
“What plans?” Jaeda asked.
Dani drew in a breath. “He likes to do a daughter/father hang out for the weekend every month. Probably to make up for the fact that he works such long hours.” Her chuckle was dry and void of emotion. “So, he’s got some surprise planned.”
“That is so cool.” Liesl smiled. “I wonder what it will be.”
“Both days?” Elliot looked skeptical. “He has the entire weekend planned?”
I wished I could see Dani’s eyes as she turned to face my untrusting friend. “It won’t be the whole weekend, but I don’t know which days he has planned yet. I don’t want to commit to something with you guys and then not show.”
Elliot’s nod was small and non-committal, like he didn’t really believe her. I wanted to kick him under the table for being rude, but I couldn’t help feeling like he was right. She was lying. I hated that. I wished people would just come out and say it. I don’t want to hang with your lame ass friends all weekend.
I didn’t know if she was really thinking that, but either way, the lie was there and I burned to know why.
“Well give me your number, I can just text you and if you want to join us, you can.” Liesl pulled out her phone.
“I don’t—” Dani shot me a look before admitting, “I don’t have a cellphone.”
“What?” Jaeda and Elliot, both tech geeks, looked ready to keel over.
“How can you not have a cellphone?” Even I had to frown at that one.
“Well, I kept losing mine and when I got to Danville phoneless, my dad threw a fit. He says I’m not allowed another one until I can pay for the monthly plan…and a new phone. So…” She shrugged.
“You need a job,” Jaeda said.
“Yeah, I guess.” Her perfect nose wrinkled. “But I kind of want to spend the last few months upping my grades. I don’t want a job to distract me, so I’m cool without the phone.”
“But how do you stay in touch with people?”
“I talk to them, face to face.” Dani’s eyebrows rose to emphasize her point.
Jaeda shook her head with a sheepish grin and slumped back in her seat, folding her arms.
“Well, do you have a home number?” Liesl’s thumb was still hovering over her phone screen.
“Why don’t I just call you.” Dani’s voice was pleasant. She had a way of doing that. Declining something with a smile. It kind of took the sting out of the rejection to be honest.
Liesl reneged, slipping her phone back into her bag as Dani tried to stand.
“You okay?” I shuffled out of the booth so she could get out.
“I need to get going.”
“Well, here, let me drive you.” I reached into my pocket for the keys, but she touched my elbow to stop me.
“I like walking, remember?”
I paused. “Yeah, I remember.” I decided to let my disappointment show. She gave me an apologetic smile as she hefted her bag onto her shoulder.
She looked at my friends with a grin and waved. “See you later guys. It was really great to meet you.”
My friends all lifted their hands, their smiles genuine and kind, except for Elliot. He so needed to work on his people skills. If he wasn’t such a loyal friend, I don’t know what I’d do with him. “Say goodbye to AJ for me.” She glanced at the kitchen then back to Liesl. “And thank him for the best food I’ve tasted in a really long time.”
She meant that, her eyes beaming.
“I will.” Liesl’s dark eyes shone with warmth. “Make sure you join us again.”
“Most definitely.”
She smiled, patted my shoulder then walked out of the diner. As soon as she was out the door Elliot yanked on my shirt, pulling me back into the booth.
They were all staring at me, their heads leaning in, wanting more.
“What?”
“You brought her to Friday night dinner. Why aren’t you asking us our opinion, all needy, and wanting our approval.” Jaeda frowned.
“I…” Shaking my head, a slow smile spread across my lips. “I don’t care what you guys think this time…because I’m not into her that way. Intrigue, remember.”