“Zach, you want her, and you want to find out all about her so that if she’s in some kind of trouble you can play hero.”
“So?” I shrugged, annoyed that he could read me so well.
“So, don’t get caught in something that we all have to rescue you from. I’m not saying this to be an asshole. You’re my friend. But this girl is different. The way you look at her, it’s more intense. I don’t care if it’s just intrigue, or something more. I want you to be careful, man.”
My irritation whistled away as I gazed at my genuine friend. My mouth tipped to the side in a grin as I slapped his shoulder.
“I won’t go too far. Yeah, I like her more than I want to. She fascinates me. I mean what kind of girl swims because she’s afraid of the water. She’s focused, she’s determined. It’s like she’s not afraid of anything, but she seems so vulnerable at the same time.” My forehead wrinkled as I shook my head. “I want to find out everything I can about her, but I also just like hanging out with her. What if my need to investigate screws up something really cool with her.”
“Or what if your instincts to investigate are warning bells to stay away?”
I sighed and kicked at the grass on the edge of the curb. “I don’t want to do that.”
“I know, you stubborn ass.” Elliot lightly punched my shoulder. “Which is why I’m here to be that annoying friend who gets in your face. I’m not gonna shut up about it. Find out what you need to know, but don’t get in too deep.”
And that’s why I loved my friends.
I pursed my lips and finally gave Elliot a nod. “I promise, if she gets too weird, I’ll back away.”
Satisfied enough with my response, Elliot let us keep walking in silence. I knew he was still irritated with me. He didn’t want to have to deal with anymore of my girlfriend crap. Not that Dani was my girlfriend. That part didn’t seem to matter though. The need to spend more time with her burned within me. I wasn’t ready to walk away. My curiosity was piqued. I had heard Elliot though and I did mean what I said. If she got all creepy on me, I’d back away. I just hoped I hadn’t fallen for her by the time it came to that.
*****
The burger in front of me was stacked so high I didn’t think I could get it in my mouth. I smiled at the waitress before she turned and rushed back into the cafe. This place was always busy, because it was the best. We’d managed to snatch an outside table and I was enjoying sitting against the railing, just a little higher than the sidewalk traffic.
Mom and Dad were discussing the merits of risotto over pasta as they compared meals, which quickly morphed into a conversation about how divine the food in Italy would be. Man, they were so excited about Europe. It was cute.
I started to dissect my burger. Flipping off the lid, I grabbed for the ketchup and thought of AJ with a grin. Lucky he didn’t work here. I’m sure whatever restaurant he owns won’t even have ketchup available.
I banged some on and used my finger to smear it over my meat patty while Mom wasn’t looking, then stuck my finger in my mouth and licked off the remaining sauce. That’s when a dark haired girl caught my eye.
She was crossing the street, her short cropped hair looking shiny and perfect. She was wearing big shades that made her look like Jackie Onassis. Her little mini skirt and tight tank top hugged her figure beautifully and I wouldn’t have been a guy if I didn’t stop to admire it.
The boots she was wearing looked a little worse for wear, but well loved. The brown leather needed a good polish, but the scrappy look suited her ensemble.
She glanced both ways as she jogged across the road. Her gait reminded me of Dani a little. I frowned. I really had that girl on the brain today. This was a chic brunette, hardly Dani, and yet there was something very Dani-esque about her.
In her hands was a small, cardboard box, tied in a neat bow. She held it carefully as she ducked through the human traffic. She didn’t look my way as she walked past, but my eyes followed her. Mom and Dad were still talking, I think they’d moved on from Italy and were now dreaming about France. I’d tuned them out and they hadn’t noticed.
The brunette girl’s hips swayed slightly as she weaved around a couple of kids and she turned back to glance at them, only to barrel into a Mr. Suit who was so busy talking on his cellphone that he didn’t even notice her. His large body knocked her from her feet. The box went flying, hitting a tree and rolling across the concrete.
My instinct was to leap the railing and go help her, but Mr. Suit said a quick goodbye and was offering her his hand.
“I’m so sorry, Miss. I didn’t even see you.”
She shook her head, wiping the graze on her elbow. It didn’t look bad, but it probably stung a little.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” her voice was shaky. “I just…” She looked behind her, whipping off her shades. “Where’s the box!” Panic swept over her expression.