by Caitie Quinn
“Oh, no. Don’t worry. I can get it.” The last thing I needed was to feel obligated to him for buying me a drink…which I know how 1987 that sounded.
“It’s no problem. You were a great sport last night. The least you can do now is let a guy buy you a drink.”
He said it so smoothly I was betting that’s how he usually handled his pickups at a bar too. And who was I to ignore the charm that is Dane?
“Well, since you put it that way.” I gave him my order and he swaggered—I mean, sashayed—off to hook me up. I’m not going to lie, I watched him go. The guy knew he was absurdly good-looking and used it to his advantage. We ladies might as well get the advantage of watching him so it evened out a little.
Next to me, someone cleared his throat. When I say someone I mean, Max.
“Yes?”
“Just making sure your neck wasn’t stuck.”
“Nope. Just making sure he gets the drink order right.” I gave him a sticky sweet smile which he managed to scowl at.
“Sure. Right.” He brought his mug to his lips and shifted his focus back to the café as a whole.
The group chatted about upcoming events and work and dates. I slowly began to pick up on their inside jokes and felt a few I could even laugh at after the night before.
“So, Kasey, how’s the new company going?” Hailey leaned forward to chat with me around Dane. Instead of leaning back to give her space, he started playing with her hair where it fell over his leg.
I wondered if they were an item. Some type of weird off-and-on thing maybe. That would so never be me. I wouldn’t be some guy’s hookup no matter how hot he was. My gaze darted back up to Dane again as I rethought that. Maybe…
No.
Nope.
Not gonna happen.
I mean, besides the fact that he was Dane.
“Not bad.” I refocused. Ignore the pretty boy. Ignore him. I glanced the other way. Ignore the scowling boy too. “Besides Jenna’s rebranding, I have two other small gigs. Unfortunately, one is a time suck for how big it actually is.”
“What is it?”
“I’m creating branded packages for weddings for a planner. She wants to have a couple of pre-created packages that are just for her clients. So, save the dates, invites, event websites, etcetera. Each can be slightly customized by things like color, but mostly they’d all be the same. She likes the idea that even though they’re all the same, no one else has them.”
“That’s actually pretty cool.”
“And extremely exciting, right?” I tried not to snort. I wasn’t exactly in happy wedding mode, so it had been an odd request. But I’d worked with Mae years ago when she did event planning for Brockman and she said she’d always liked the work I’d done. She hadn’t even been on my contact list, but had heard about my new business through the grapevine and wanted to grab me while I was still available, desperate, and affordable.
Here’s hoping that didn’t last long.
“Still, it sounds like she’s letting you be creative.” Hailey seemed to be the one of the group who was most creative-focused.
Jenna’s writing came from the fact that in her head her written world was real. It was almost uncreative the way she worked. She was more, as she described it, a transcriptionist of the crazy things her characters were doing.
Hailey, from listening to her last night, liked the process. She also seemed to be more down to earth than Jenna. She’d asked me for ways to do PR without leaving her house. The idea of having her picture taken with person after person or speaking in public or—as she put it—speaking to an empty room, were not on her favorites list. She just wanted to write her stories.
After she and Dane had wandered into the living room last night while Jenna and Ben finished up in the kitchen, Hailey had immediately chatted me up, asking me what I do and if I liked it. She even invited me to the gym saying she’d found a trainer who worked her just hard enough before sending her off to do yoga.
Gym. Work. Yoga.
Not three words in my standard vocabulary, but she promised to make them go easy on me and that she had a guest pass for a free week, so I knew that I was sucked in.
She was a hard woman to say no to.
As breakfast broke up, I started unpacking my work, noticing I was the only person stupid enough to be working on a gorgeous Sunday. I guess if I had a Ben or a Dane I wouldn’t be working today either.
Everyone stood, hovering around and making plans for the next week when Max turned to look down at me, that crease between his eyes growing as he stood there.
“What?” I glanced down at my shirt, ninety percent sure he was staring at the mess I’d probably dropped all over me, eating that incredibly good, but ridiculously crumbly coffee cake muffin Dane had gotten me.
“That movie is playing tonight.”
I rushed through all the conversations this morning. The group was famous for talking over one another, jumping between three different conversations, and basically being able to read each other’s minds with a glance. I didn’t remember a movie being talked about though.
“What movie?”
“The French film.”
French film? French film? We’d talked about a French film?
“You know. The one about the Riviera we talked about last night?”
Oh. That film. The moment when I’d been stupid by trying to pretend I was more interesting than I was.
“Really?” Where exactly was he going with this?
He stood over me, watching everyone else leave, lifted his hand to Dane as he paused at the door and then turned back to me.
“So, I’m going to see it and thought maybe you’d like to come too.” He stood watching me stare blankly at him, the crease between his eyes getting deeper. “You know, just to hang out and see if you like it. I know you’re adjusting to all this new stuff. Thought you might want to take a break.”
Oh. A pity hang out.
And yet, this was exactly the type of thing I wanted to try. I’d lived in this city for years and hadn’t done most of the things that attracted me to it in the first place. I’d come here to try new things, experience all a city had to offer. But first I’d sunk myself into school, then work, then Jason’s world.
I was sick of thinking about Jason and all the time I’d wasted.
So, yes. I did want to try a new French film.
Even if it meant trying to hang out with Max.
“Sure. What time is it?”
“I’ll come get you around six-thirty.”
Notice that was not an answer to my question or a suggestion.
“Actually, I can just meet you there.”
“We live a block apart.” More eyebrow creasing. “There’s no reason for us to meet there.”
“We do?” Okay, not the point. “But I have things to do, places to be, people to convince to buy my services. I won’t be sitting around waiting for le film.” Or however you’d say that in French. “So, it would be easier for me to meet you there.”
Max stood, his arms crossed against his chest before he finally nodded. “Okay. I’ll meet you there.”
He shook his head and headed toward the door.
Um, bye?
~~*~~
“You’re going out on a date with Max!”
You know, after a week you’d think I’d be used to Jenna and her anti-segue conversations. Just start in the middle at high-excitement and go.
“No. Not a date. We’re just catching a movie.”
“Together.”
“Yes.”
“At night.”
“I’m sorry, did dates get limited to evening hours? No one notified me.”
“Just you and Max.”
“Did you want to come?” That actually sounded like a great idea. She could translate his different glares for me.
“On your date? Pfft. No thank you.”
“It’s not a date.”
“Sure.”
Wait. Wait just a second.
“How did you know we were going to the movies if you’re not coming?”
“Ben called Max to see if he wanted to go for a run and he said he was going to some film I can’t pronounce.”
I bit my tongue. I didn’t want to add to Jenna’s excitement, but I definitely wanted to know if Max had invited Ben and Jenna and they just passed on coming. Maybe he’d invited everyone but I was the only person stupid enough to claim I loved foreign films without having actually seen one.
In retrospect, that was kind of snotty. I was just trying to get him to leave me alone and to point out how different we were, but with so little Max Knowledge, I’d grabbed at straws. Apparently the wrong ones.
“Okay. You don’t have to come, but I’m looking forward to it.”
“Because of Max.” She sounded so darn smug part of me was happy to correct her.
“No. Because I’m looking forward to the movie. It’s going to be really good.”
I hoped.
“Yeah. Sure.” In the background I heard something. “Oops. No worries. It was just a glass.”
A muffled sound came over the phone before Jenna shouted. “I am wearing shoes. Just like we agreed. Shoes in the kitchen.”
“Ben makes you wear shoes in the kitchen?”
That was absurd and controlling and completely not like the man I’d thought Ben was. Maybe the entire world of men were bossy and I definitely was glad to know that right away.
“Oh, no. Of course not. I just agreed that I would wear shoes in the kitchen because he kept rushing in and picking me up and cutting his feet when I break things. This way he doesn’t have to worry.”
Okay, when put like that it was disgustingly cute.
“Anyway,” Jenna continued as she picked up broken glass with me listening to the occasional ouch. “You and Max.”
“Jenna, really. There’s no me and Max. First, because I just got out of what I hadn’t even realized was a horrible relationship. Two, because this is Kasey-time. I’m going to do my own thing, build my company, and enjoy the city. And lastly, because I’m sure Max and I would make a horrible couple. We have nothing in common and he’s exactly the type of guy I’m not looking for.”
“I know, right? Who in their right mind would want a hot, kind, smart, funny, law-enforcing hunk?”
“Does anyone still say hunk?”
“You know what I mean, Kasey Lane. Max is great. You’d be really lucky to date him.”
Oh crud. Now I’d insulted one of her best friends.
“You know what I mean, Jenna. Not every great guy is the right guy for you.”
There was a deep sigh on the other side of the phone and I waited for the verdict.
“Ben told me to stay out of it, but I just would love to see you happy.”
How could you not love that?
“I am happy. I hadn’t realized how unhappy I was, but this is the happiest I’ve been since college. I’m excited about my new business. I love my new apartment. I’m really happy about the new friends I’ve been making. I’m just…I’m just not looking right now. I need to stay focused and a guy would take away from that.”
“Okay. I guess I can see that.” She sighed again. “But, call me after your movie. If it isn’t too late that is.”
The girl was hopeless.
NINETEEN
I stared into my recently filled closet, wondering what one wore to a foreign film at a small, independent movie theater. It sounded so hipster. I definitely lacked hipster clothing. And, I hadn’t been shopping for normal clothes because my check from the consignment store hadn’t come in yet.
I’d made a deal with myself that I wouldn’t buy anything new until my old clothes paid for it. I’d been excited when the girl had oohhh’d over my suits. One thing Jason had drilled home to me that I actually agreed with was to save your money and buy good clothing for the office. Marketing was such a judgmental group. If you didn’t look the part, then they believed you couldn’t make other people look their part.
On the upside, I wouldn’t miss having my nails done every week. I’d always thought that was a waste of money and I only liked color on my toes. Of course, I wasn’t giving up my highlights.
None of this helped me pick out an outfit for the movie though.
Not that this was a date. It wasn’t. But I wanted to look nice and dress right for the occasion. This wasn’t for Max. I didn’t want to be that girl who people looked at and thought, “What’s he doing with her?”
Not that he’d be with me. But other people didn’t know that. They’d think we were together. Like on a date. Or maybe a couple already. No, there’s no way we’d give off couple vibes. So, basically I just needed to wear something that let me blend in where I was going, what I was doing, and who I’d be with. That meant—
That meant I was way over thinking this.
I pulled out my favorite pair of jeans, a Guess t-shirt, and a pair of wedges it was just warm enough to wear. I grabbed a light jacket and my purse, checked the directions so I didn’t look like a tourist in my own neighborhood, and headed out.
This was going to be great. It felt very sophisticated. I wondered if they served popcorn. What did sophisticated people eat at the movies? I mean, films. Whatever. Should I have brought a snack? Maybe I could still grab some peanut M&Ms to sneak in. Should I grab Max something too? No. No, Max would have to bring his own snacks. Plus, if he didn’t pull out snacks then I’d know this wasn’t a snack type place.
Which, really? Everywhere should be a snack place.
About a block down the street, I saw a guy sitting on his stoop, reading his phone. Of course it was Max. Shocker.
I pulled to a stop in front of him annoyed he’d obviously been waiting on me even though I’d told him I’d meet him there. This is exactly what I’d been trying to explain to Jenna. He was too much like Jason. Everything had to be his way. He was orchestrating things how he wanted them without necessarily going against what I’d said.
I stood there, watching him, his head still bent over his phone.
He finally glanced up, no crease between his eyes this time. But, getting what you want is far more relaxing than not getting what you want.
“I’m not waiting on you. I’m texting my brother. I’ll meet you there.”
And then he went back to his phone.
Seriously.
Was this reverse psychology?
“Okay. I was thinking of stopping at CVS. See you there.”
“’kay.” Type. Type. Type.
I nodded, which of course he didn’t see and headed down the street.
“Kasey.” His deep voice stopped me in my tracks even though, when I turned back, he was still looking at his phone. “Other way.”
I glanced down the street. Yup. I’d headed back toward my place.
Trying not to huff, I pivoted and strode past him.
I got about the same distance beyond him the right way, when I heard my name again.
“Could you grab me some Junior Mints while you’re at CVS?”
I gave him the sweetest smile I had, knowing at this point he had to be screwing with me.
“Sure. Anything else?”
“Nope.” He went back to his phone. “Thanks.”
I fumed the entire way to CVS while trying not to fume at all. What did I care if he wasn’t waiting for me? It was a really nice night out. Who wouldn’t want to sit outside to text a friend? It was obviously someone he was happy to chat with; the phone was dinging every time he stopped. It probably wasn’t even his brother. It was probably a girl. Some really cute girl who didn’t mind that he scowled at her all the time.
Or, maybe he didn’t scowl at her. Maybe he only scowled at me. Not exactly the way I wanted to be special.
Not that it mattered. It was good that he was texting some girl. Then Jenna could stop worrying about him finding a nice girl or trying to set us up. Which would be great because then I wouldn’t be distracted by her attempts and could fo
cus on my career.
Exactly.
I got to CVS and grabbed my M&Ms and glared at his Junior Mints before breaking and grabbing them too.
The theater was on the same block. I headed toward it wondering if Max was still texting his super hot girlfriend and if I should head in to get us a seat. I stood in front of the building checking out the movies playing. Besides the French film, there was some Sundance winner, a blockbuster action movie, and a midnight sing-along for The Sound of Music.
Well, that narrowed down what I’d be doing one night. Midnight showing or not, it wasn’t something I’d miss. I was a sucker for that movie. Every year when it was on growing up, I’d watch it with my mom. She used to try to explain to me how hot Christopher Plummer was, but I was too busy reenacting Sixteen Going on Seventeen.
“Ready?” a deep voice asked from behind me.
I guess this was close enough to count as meeting there.
“Yup.”
We headed down the building to the box office, side by side.
“So, this should be good.” Max tossed a grin my way. He really was excited to see the film. “I’ve been looking forward to this since the actor talked about doing it during his down time. Did you know he spoke fluent French? His father apparently is some French diplomat who had an affair with his super-model mother during a national summit thing.”
Wow.
“Nope. Didn’t know that.” I’m not even sure how I would know that.
“How confident are you feeling in your French?” He asked as he pulled the door open for me. “Mine is pretty good, but the Parisian speakers lose me. If you get a little lost, just let me know. Je serai votre guide français.”
I froze, trying not to panic.
“The movie is in French?”
“Yeah. Of course. It’s a French film.”
Crud.
Crud, crud, crud.
“Right.” I glanced around as if help would come out of nowhere. “French.”
Max stood there a long moment, watching my panic and probably thinking I was an idiot.
“Kasey, I’m kidding.”