VICTORIA: Do you remember our second date?
JORDAN: As a matter of fact, I do. It was your high school’s back-to-school carnival. I won you a pink stuffed turtle and four hundred of those friendship bracelets you loved so much.
VICTORIA: I still have them. The turtle and the bracelets.
JORDAN: Really?
VICTORIA: I know, it’s a little silly but friendship bracelets make me happy—I have dozens now. And the turtle, well, it came from you. I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it.
JORDAN: I still have the keychain from Tiffany’s you got me for Christmas that year.
VICTORIA: I worked a lot of hours to buy it.
JORDAN: I know. And it’s from Tiffany’s. Why wouldn’t I still have it?
VICTORIA: Because you blamed me for nearly destroying your career?
JORDAN: Well, I guess there’s that. But the keychain was different. I can’t explain it. It’s not like anyone knew it was from you—and I genuinely like it.
VICTORIA: We’re both probably a little more sentimental and romantic than we’d like to admit. At least, when it comes to each other.
JORDAN: I think you’re right.
VICTORIA: Can I ask a tough question?
JORDAN: Fire away.
VICTORIA: Why do you think our bond is so strong?
JORDAN: I think about that a lot. And the truth is, I don’t know. We were so young, but the feelings were strong and they were real. We had so many outside forces working against us.
VICTORIA: We still do.
JORDAN: Well, less than we did before. I talked to my parents, told them we’re dating again.
VICTORIA: How did that go?
JORDAN: It was a little rough at first, but then I explained everything. All the miscommunication, more of the details. And I told them that we were going to give this a try regardless of what anyone thinks. If they love me, they need to give you a chance. In the end, they agreed that it was unfair to hold you accountable for what your parents did, or for my own bad behavior.
VICTORIA: I have to admit I’m shocked, but really appreciative too. I’d never purposely do anything to hurt you, Jordan. I hope you know that.
JORDAN: If I didn’t, we wouldn’t be here.
VICTORIA: I can’t wait for Thursday.
JORDAN: Ditto.
Chapter 16
Jordan
It’s not until we’re leaving the theater that I realize I haven’t been to the movies with a woman since we broke up. I’ve gone with the guys lots of times, but never on a date. I don’t think it was intentional but there are so many things Victoria and I did together that I never did with anyone else. So, I mention it to her when we get back to the house after dinner.
“I have,” she admits sheepishly. “But only with one guy. Going to a movie was his idea of date night. That or dinner. We literally never did anything else.”
“He sounds kinda boring,” I quip, trying to keep a weird twinge of jealousy at bay.
“He was. One of many reasons it didn’t last.” Her eyes twinkle, though I’m not sure if she’s amused or somewhat aware of my unfounded jealousy.
