“It’s fine, Mom. We’ll be back in a couple hours.” I tug at my sweatpants and notice my shirt is hugging me a little too close and way too sheerly. My face heats up as I cross my arms over my chest. I move my eyes from Mom to Sean. “Can you wait here while I change?”
I have no problem wearing my sweatpants and a T-shirt to grab something to eat, but I definitely need to put on a bra.
****
“If we run into Chip or Jane, I’m officially leaving this town,” I say to Sean, handing my 24/7 menu back to the waitress.
“I’m leaving this town if she forgets our order. I never trust a server when they don’t write it down.”
“I know.” I lean across the table, “Now we’re gonna have anxiety until our food comes. Will they scramble the eggs or bring ’em over easy? And if they’re scrambled are they gonna be scrambled well or runny? And if they’re scrambled well is she gonna forget the cheese? And if the cheese is there, is it gonna be Swiss instead of American?”
“Yes,” Sean smiles. “We should probably leave town right now.”
“Where would we go?” I ask, almost serious.
“I wonder how far we’d have to go to help Chip get over you?” Sean asks.
“I’m sorry about that. I’m not trying to pull you into some ABC family series called The Boy Who Wouldn’t Go Away.”
“Now that he knows we’re together, he should be fine. Guys are usually good like that.”
“Hope so, thanks again for that. Anyway.” I pluck my straw from its wrapper and drop it into my water. “Let’s talk about anything else but exes.”
“Sure.” Sean’s eyes meet mine and his gaze lowers to my chest. “How about we talk about that T-shirt you were wearing this morning. Wow.”
“Are you sexually harassing me?” I pick up my fork pointing the prongs at him.
“Yes. Yes, I am.” He snatches the fork and lays it in the middle of the table. “I might be scared of you holding a cup of coffee but I’m not worried about your forking skills.”
“Don’t remind me about the coffee. Forking skills, huh? Maybe you should be worried about my forking skills.”
“Whoa. Now who’s harassing who?” Sean leans in, squinting his eyes with a small smile. “First you wanna make out in the backseat, then that very little, very thin blue T-shirt and now you’re discussing your forking skills in a diner.”
The lilt in his voice kills me, it really does.
“I’m not, um, well … I’m … I haven’t technically …”
Sean shifts his eyes from the fork to my eyes. “Are you still talking about forks?”
I reach across and move his fork on top of the one between us. “See what these two forks are doing?” I check my peripheral vision to make sure no one is within earshot of my whisper. “I haven’t technically done that.”
“Oh that. Really? You haven’t?”
I’m not sure if he’s asking because he thinks I’m lying or that I’m some sort of freak. My face burns. My heart rate has bumped up to the fat burning zone right now. “Yeah, really.”
“Even with Chip?” Sean asks.
“Do you want me to be honest?” I fumble with my straw before taking a long sip of water.
“Uh, yes. That’s one of the things I like most about you.”
“We almost did but we didn’t. He wasn’t happy about it either.”
“It’s not a big deal,” he shrugs. “If you had or hadn’t. But he’s a jerk. If I’m being honest, I’m glad you didn’t make that mistake.”
“So,” I say placing the forks back on each of our paper napkins. I fidget with mine, making sure it’s perfectly straight. “What about you? How many?” I ask even though I’m not sure if I want the answer.
“Three. Nothing obscene. Do you think that’s bad or good?”
“No,” I ignore the little pit in my stomach that wishes he would’ve said zero. “As long as they’re not all regrets.”
“That’s up for debate. Some other time though.” Our food arrives and Sean raises his orange juice. “Cheers?”
“To no mistakes,” I say raising my glass, scanning my eyes across the pancakes and eggs on our plates just as we’d ordered.
“And to staying in Belmont.” Our glasses clink.
TWENTY-TWO
Kallie’s eyes are blazing with excitement as we settle into our desks for Norderick’s class. “My parents never go out of town. Ever. They’re already gone and won’t be back until Sunday. You guys can sleep over and I’m calling in sick to work, too. We’re most definitely having a party.”
My stomach high dives as I turn my smile to Sean.
“Sweet. What should I bring?” Justin asks.
“Beer. And maybe some snacks. But not messy ones.”
“Wait. I can really come?”
I’m not surprised. Kallie’s been extra sweet to everyone these past few weeks. Who knows, with all the extra socializing, she might actually have a chance at Prom Queen.
“Yeah, why not?” Kallie shrugs.
“Can I bring a date?” Justin asks.
Sean leans in. “As long as it’s not your Prom Date.”