Wes is close enough that if I wanted to, I could reach out and touch him. And I really want to slide my hand into his.
But I don’t, and he doesn’t reach out for me. And then he finally walks away.
Once I’m back in the car, Olivia laughs. “You two are killing me.”
The crowd is back at Nonna’s to see who picks me up for the bowling date. And the stakes are especially high, since the bets from last night rolled over to today.
I never thought I’d get tired of going on dates, but I’m officially there.
The Pin Ladies and T-Balls are looking quite good, and I have to force myself not to be sad I’ve got a sword instead of a shiny pink jacket.
Uncle Ronnie studies the betting squares, looks at me a minute, then looks back to the betting squares. “So which one from that show are you dressed up as?” he asks.
“I’m dressed up like Arya. When it’s my turn to bowl, I’m going to repeat the names of all my dates this week over and over like she does with the people she wants to kill.”
Uncle Ronnie’s head pops up.
I give him a big smile. “Just kidding!”
He backs away from me slowly.
Uncle Michael flies down the stairs. At least I don’t feel so out of place now. He looks exactly like Jaime Lannister, except with black hair instead of blond. He’s even sporting the “gold” fake hand.
“You going to be able to bowl with that thing on?” Charlie asks.
Even though Charlie looks good with his hair slicked back and that white T-shirt on under his black jacket, I know him well enough to know he has costume envy. When we were little, he dressed up like a pirate for four years in a row just for the sword.
Uncle Michael slides the fake hand off and back on. “Don’t worry about me,” he says, then looks me up and down. “We’re Team Lane-ister! Did you not look at any of the pics I sent you?”
I smile. “I did but decided I was feeling a little less Cersei and a little more Arya.”
“Whatever.” Uncle Michael stands in the open doorway, scanning the street. Maybe this guy will be a no-show, I think optimistically.
A few minutes later, he throws his hands in the air and yells, “Finally!” to the guy walking up the front path.
“I had to circle the block three times trying to find a place to park!” the guy says. “Someone must be having a party or something.”
Oh, just wait until he sees who’s waiting inside to meet him.
He steps through the door and Uncle Michael says, “This is Jason Moore.”
Jason moves closer. His hand is outstretched and he’s smiling wide and he totally mistakes Sara for me.
Before she knows what hits her, Jason is shaking Sara’s hand. “Hey, it’s nice to meet you!”
He has stars in his eyes, and she looks equally charmed, if confused. I wish I could push them out the door and let them have this date.
“Um, you too, but I’m Sara. Sophie’s cousin.” She nods her head to the side. His eyes leave her and land on me. And yeah, the stars are gone.
“Oh.” Reluctantly, he lets go of Sara’s hand and reaches for mine. “Sophie. Nice to meet you.”
The family starts whispering. Charlie pulls the sheet out and starts adjusting bets. Uncle Michael looks panicked.
“So about how long does this thing last?” Uncle Sal asks.
Uncle Michael shakes his head. “Not telling.”
Uncle Ronnie leans in close to Uncle Sal and says, “Michael picked the ten-to-ten-fifteen spot.”
