She halts suddenly. “He’s picking you up. On a Friday. You’re doing something. After which, you’re going to dinner. That, my sweet, naïve friend, is a date.”
“It’s not.” I mean it. It’s not a date. “He thinks he’s my brother.”
“Bullshit,” she spits, pulling me along again. “Your brother could care less if you ‘strained something’ kicking a stupid bag.”
She’s right about that.
“Mark my words, grasshopper. That man back there…” She uses her thumb to point back to the building. “…loves you.”
If only that were true.
11
Becklyn
Ever since Deenatold me this was a date, I’ve been a nervous wreck. I can barely concentrate on my schoolwork, and I’ve hardly eaten. I’ve tried, but every time I’m about to put something in my mouth, I get a little queasy.
Now that it’s Friday and this thing is about to happen, I’mreallyqueasy.
“Come on. Let me fix your hair.” Deena has gone above and beyond to get me ready for this thing. We went to a discount store to find me something to wear. Luckily, the place had some decent-looking things for cheap. I’m wearing black, because it’s the most slimming. I’ve got on workout leggings, a long black V-neck tee with long sleeves, and a matching fitted zip-up jacket. I look put together while still feeling like I’m covered.
I move over to her side of the room, where she’s standing holding a hairbrush and a scrunchie. “A high ponytail would look adorable.”
I remain silent as she does her work. She even talked me into wearing a little makeup, even after I told her it was just going to run down my face thanks to the sweat. Her response? “Well, don’t sweat.”
She makes it sound so simple.
“Here.” She hands me her black metal water bottle. “Drink lots of water.”
As soon as she’s got my hair done, there’s a knock on the door. Deena gasps with excitement. “This is it. Your first date with Lucky Ganetti.”
Wow. Maybe she’s right. It certainly feels like a date.
“Remember.” She sounds serious. “Be yourself.”
“Okay.” I nod like I know what the heck she means. How could I be anyone else?
“Try to touch his arm every once in a while.”
I nod again.
“And giggle a lot.”
Wait. I thought she told me to be myself?
When the knock on the door becomes more insistent, she breaks away from me. Reaching for the door, she turns to me and says, “Ready?”
No, but I nod anyway. I force a smile onto my face even though I want to puke. I watch her turn the knob and pull the door open while stepping away. The minute I see the man standing in my doorway, my face falls.
Like a ton of bricks.
“You ready, dipshit?”
Joe.
“Where’s Lucky?” Deena is the one to ask, thank goodness.
Joe glances at Deena and back at me. “In the car. Let’s go. I’m fucking starving, and we’ve got to do some shit at the gym before I can eat.”
