Dani bobs her head with compassion. “You said not being able to talk to her about what’s going on with Andrew triggered your emotions, so maybe it’s not the big things you miss about her, but the little things. We can do something smallto honor her.”
An idea immediately comes to mind, and a smile spreads across my face. “Do we have chocolate chips?”
Dani stands up and walks into the kitchen to check the pantry. “It looks like it. What’re you thinking?”
I begin pulling out ingredients like flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Dani’s eyes linger on the cinnamon, knowingly.
“Let’s make some cookies. But this time, can we eat some of the dough first and then eat the baked ones while watchingThe Parent Trap?”
Dani smiles. “That sounds like a perfect evening. Before we bake, you need to respond to Andrew, though. You can’t leave him hanging.”
I quickly pull my phone out of my pocket again and open the message. A giddiness erupts inside me and spills out as a goofy smile. “What should I say?”
She gives me a nonchalant look. “Clearly, you’ve done things right up to this point. Just be yourself. He’s already told you he adores you for you. This is so cool. You get to start out already knowing each other. You don’t have to worry about what he thinks of you without makeup or if he won’t get your sense of humor. You’re so lucky.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I hadn’t thought of that before.”
“You get to skip past all the awkward getting-to-know-you stuff and jump right into the good parts.”
“That also means there’s more at stake,” I say, growing anxious by the second.
“No, don’t overthink it! That’s exactly what I’m telling younotto do right now. This is exciting! Remember how giddy you were a few minutes ago?”
I smile, feeling a little more at ease. My thumbs start typing, and I don’t let myself overthink it.
Me
Thinking of you too. Can’t wait for our date! I hope your dinner is the best you’ve ever had since you’re making me wait a whole day longer to go on a date with you ;)
He responds right away.
Andrew
The food is great but there’s very little that makes being away from you worth it
A blush rushes to my cheeks and I feel my insides flutter to life. I amsoin trouble. This boy is so easy to love. I just need to try not to mess it up.
With a knowing smile, Dani asks, “Ready to make the cookies?”
“Hell yeah! I can taste them already.”
Dani and I slowly slither off the couch as the credits roll, our bellies full of warm, gooey cookies and delicious cookie dough. I glance at my phone for the time. It’s late. Dani’s and my best-laid plans were slightly thrown off when Mom came home not even two minutes after we pulled out all the cookie ingredients, insisting we needed to eat dinner first.
“Thanks for watching with me, sis.” I nuzzle my head onto Dani’s shoulder. I feel her stiffen the slightest bit. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s not you. We just don’t do that much.”
“Yeah, well we don’t hang out much either, but we just binge ate cookies and cookie dough and watched a movie together.”
She smiles softly. “I guess you’re right.”
I reach to flick the light on, and a mere five seconds after it turns on, myphone buzzes.
Dani gives me a knowing smirk. “Someone couldn’t wait till tomorrow,” she teases, drawing out the last word.
“It’s almost midnight. I’m sure it’s just a goodnight text or something.” I wave her off, but she’s already advancing toward me and grabbing my phone from my hand to read the text. She gives me anI told you solook and hands it back.
Andrew
