It takes me a moment, but I muster up the courage to meet his eyes. They sparkle blue and are inviting like a dip into a pool on a warm night.
Ordinarily, in situations like this, when I get overloaded, my brain stops connecting with my mouth. Again, tonight is an exception, and I say, “Me too.”
23
CHASE
Iglance over my shoulder as Pippa sits down at a vacant table. She sets the giant Elvis teddy bear in the empty seat across from her. At the Smythe’s, when she told me she’d fall asleep listening to Elvis croon, I couldn’t help but think how intimate that felt. And I’m not going to lie, when I won the bear, I imagined her falling asleep cuddling it.
If I’m not mistaken, tonight has turned into a date. Guess I got one after all, and my meddling mother had nothing to do with it.
While waiting in line and reading the menu, trying to decide whether to go with traditional Margherita pizza or something more adventurous, a pair of clammy hands close over my eyes.
Had I channeled Superman, or even my own strength, I’d have thrown the person off me, but the hands are small and possibly belong to Pippa.
However, strongly scented perfume stings my nose. Pippa smells like roses. Whoever it is smells like greed.
“Guess who?” says a voice that reminds me of a bad case of bronchitis.
I break free and turn around to face Marlow.
She stands on the edge of a low partition fence. Then, as if losing her balance, she throws her hands into the air and leans into me. “Whoops. I was a little wobbly there.”
She drapes her arms around my neck. “Thanks for saving the day.”
This reminds me of the superhero conversation Pippa and I had. I realize I probably got a little too personal, but it’s like I could tell her anything and it would be alright.
But seeing Marlow is supremely unpleasant. The line shifts forward and I help Marlow lower to the ground, glad to put several feet between us.
“Funny seeing you here,” she says.
“Sure is.”
“Are you alone?”
“No. I’m with Pippa.” I gesture to where she sits at the table and waves at me.
A shadow crosses Marlow’s features. “Of course you are,” she says with a huff.
The Hinnifin Hall mean girl never liked Pippa and there is no mistaking the change in her demeanor when I mention her.
“I hear you had to go to that reform school. Want me to help you make a jailbreak?”
“It’s mandatory and not so bad. Plus, Pippa works there.”
“Oh, come on. Break a rule. Live a little,” Marlow purrs.
I want to know what Marlow is doing in small-town Concordia. It’s a strange coincidence, but finding out would require further conversation and I’m not interested.
“In that case, order me a basket of breadsticks—anything with tomato sauce.” She laughs and jabs me with her elbow like we share an inside joke.
The kid at the order window gestures that I’m next. I simply order a slice of regular pizza and one calledprimavera festathat’s loaded with toppings. After paying, I gather up the tray with the food and drinks.
Still in line, Marlow calls over her shoulder, “Don’t trip with that tray.”
I try to shake off a sinking feeling at seeing her again. But I don’t want to let her spoil the evening. Pippa waves me over and I settle across from her at the picnic table.
I tell her the toppings and divide up the plates. “I had both slices split in half.”
