Mats is a good guy. You could do worse, she says before leaving for class.
You have done worse, says Becks, who snuck in and ate a piece of chicken while my back was turned.
I smack her hand when she reaches for a second. Seriously, stop. Get your own dinner.
That’s not a good attitude for someone who is depending on my goodwill for romance, she says.
There won’t even be a dinner if you eat it all, I complain as I grate cheese. I pass her a slice of cheese. Have this instead.
Is that what you’re wearing? she asks. I’m wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and a blue sweater that I knitted myself. It has a few wonky places, but the fuzzy wool hides them.
What’s wrong with this? It’s prettier than what I usually wear.
Nellie, if you want to seduce your boyfriend, you should wear clothes that look like they’d be easy to take off. Mats is going to have to battle a sheep army first. I don’t even have to turn around to know that she’s rolling her eyes.
Two words, Becks. The first one is fuck, I reply.
Who is Nellie seducing? Jinx asks from the doorway. She’s all dressed up and ready for her date.
Mats is coming over, Becks says, with suggestive emphasis. Are you sure you don’t want to stay home and witness this?
Jinx giggles. I’d consider it, if getting my own dates wasn’t so tough. But if my guy isn’t as cute as his photos, I’ll rush home.
One night alone. Is that too much to ask? I ask the ceiling. I arrange all the ingredients on a platter, put plastic wrap on top, and stick it in the fridge. It’s not enough to keep Becks from grazing, but it might slow her long enough to feel guilty. I clean off and set the dining room table. Here I am, setting the table with two places.
Fine, I’ll sit in the hall and listen instead, Becks offers.
What have I done to deserve this shit? I moan.
Becks snorts loudly. Do I have to list the ways? What about when you put a giant plastic spider in my bed when Arnie was sleeping over?
You should be thanking me for showing you what he was really made of. I’ve never heard of a grown man peeing his pants.
He wasn’t even wearing any fucking pants! Finally, it’s my chance to get back at you, and I’m not going to miss it. Cackling, she leaves me alone to imagine the worst. And I have a really good imagination.
When Mats arrives, he removes his black puffer jacket and shakes the snow off. Underneath, he’s wearing black jeans, a grey T-shirt, and a flannel shirt that’s tight across his broad chest. He smiles at me, his angular face transformed into a gentler handsomeness. For a moment, I can’t even speak, because he’s just so lovely and he’s here for me.
Hey, I finally squeak out.
Hi, Mats; bye, Mats, calls Jinx as she leaves for her date. Behind his back, she gives me the double thumbs up.
Becks is back in the kitchen, leaning against the counter and eating a plate of pasta.
I was kicked out of the dining room because you’re here, she explains to Mats with the fakest sad face.
Really? It’s okay with me if you stay, he says, because he’s so fucking nice.
I’m baring my fangs at Becks when Mats catches me. He laughs. The two of you are like twins.
Have twins ever been a fantasy for you, Mats? Because we could make that happen tonight. She flutters her eyelashes.
Becks, seriously. Stop this bullshit or you’re dead, I threaten.
She turns to Mats. You’re my witness if my lifeless body is found tomorrow.
Then she sits down at the dining room table in the place I set for myself. She beams angelically at me. I’ll just keep him company while you’re getting dinner ready.
I race to get all the food to the table. Fortunately, Becks is keeping things normal and talking hockey with Mats. And then she actually leaves once we’re ready to eat. Phew.
