I know it’s late, but would you and Dani be up for milkshakes?
Narrowing my eyes, I turn to Dani. “Why are you giving me that look? He asked if you wanted to come too.”
She shrugs. “Yeah, but he’s only inviting me because he wants to see you, and you told him you were hanging out with me tonight. It’s called being nice. Andrew is like the king of golden boys.”
“You’re so dramatic.”
“Tell him yes.”
“We just ate a whole bunch of cookie dough,” I argue.
“So? You can’t tell me you’re going to turn down a milkshakeandan opportunity to see Andrew.” My silence is enough to prove her right. “Ask if he wants to drive or if I should grab my keys.”
Me
You and I both know the answer to that
Andrew
Yes but I still had to ask. I’ll drive us
“Andrew says he’ll drive.”
“Great! I think I might hit the hay. You two go without me.” Dani makes a big stretching motion and fake yawns. “I’mreallytired from that movie.”
“You liar! Just come.”
Dani shifts nervously. “No, I’m not going to impose.”
“You’re not imposing. Our date is tomorrow. This is just extra. I think it’d be cool to hang out with the three of us. Besides, Andrew and I are used to hanging out in threes.”
I note Dani’s small wince. “Fine, I’ll come, but if the sexual tension gets to be too much, I’m getting out of his truck and walking home!” She waltzes out of the room.
“Oh, shut up!” I yell after her, a huge smile on my face.
She comes back down the hallway wearing shoes and carrying a sweatshirt. She leads the way to the door, and I slip on my flip-flops on the way out.
Outside, I can already hear the sound of Andrew’s engine running. I start walking toward the Martins’ driveway, but he scares the absolute shit out of me when he rushes up to me and swoops me off my feet, planting a kiss on my hairline. I look up at him with my eyes big as saucers, feeling nothing but joy.
I’m not sad about Rebecca. I’m not hung up on what is going to come next for Andrew and me. I’m not anxious about whether or not it will be weird to have Dani tag along with us tonight. I’m just happy. For possibly the first time since I was born, the wheels in my brain aren’t turning so hard that steam is blowing out my ears. I’m actually present.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Dani grab her phone and snap a picture of me curled up in Andrew’s arms, and I’m immediately grateful to have a sister who loves photography and has such a good eye for moments that are worth capturing.
Andrew sets me down, with a goofy grin on his face, and I just feel so much warmth inside me as I take him in. He looks just as happy as me, and I know I could get in my head right now about how it isn’t possible for us both to be this truly happy, but something about his presence grounds me. This all just feels right. There’s nothing to question.
“Shall we go get some milkshakes, ladies?”
“I think we shall. I call shotgun!” Danilinks arms with Andrew and begins walking him toward his truck, turning back to me and sticking her tongue out teasingly.
I chase after them while Dani unlocks her phone to show Andrew the photo she just took.
“Em, you should come see this.”
I look at the photo and horror fills me. “I look like a horse!”
“You donot.” Dani insists.
“You look happy,” Andrew says. “Look again.”
