“Yum.”
“Well, at first it sucked because I gained, like, ten pounds, and then I got really sick after eating too much rum raisin. I couldn’t stomach the stuff after that. I worked there for three years until I graduated from high school. I still have a really big right bicep from scooping ice cream. I’m all lopsided.”
She made a muscle and held her arm up to me. I squeezed her tiny arm between my fingers before she pulled out of my grip. “Jerk.”
“Spaghetti arms.”
“I’m buff. Let me see yours.”
I made a muscle. Her small, delicate hand couldn’t even squeeze my arm. “Dude, that’s pretty impressive. What do you do?”
“I have one of those pull-up bars. That’s all I do, really. And I surfed a lot in L.A.”
“Do you miss it?”
“The surfing, mainly.”
She paused. “Shit, what time is it?”
I looked at my watch. “Nine fifteen. Why?”
“I wanted to be back by nine thirty.”
“What happens at nine thirty?”
“This beautiful dress turns into a shabby rag.” Shetwirled around. I bent and threw her over my shoulder. “Oh my god, put me down!”
“No, princess. I’m getting you back by nine thirty.”
I busted through the door of Senior House and ran up the stairs, with Grace hanging over my shoulder and punching my butt. I heard someone behind me say, “Dude, that chick’s wasted.”
I set her down right in front of her door, looked at my watch, and put my hands up. “Nine twenty-nine, baby.”
She high-fived me. “You did it! Thanks, buddy.”
I looked behind Grace to see a scantily clad girl in a jean miniskirt and heels. Grace turned around to follow my gaze. When she looked back, I smiled innocently at her.
“You like that? Is that your type?”
I leaned against her door and crossed my arms over my chest. “Not really.”
“Were you a player in L.A.?”
“Not at all.”
“How many girls have you been with?” Her expression fell serious.
“Is this a trick question?”
“I’m just curious ’cause you’re a good looking guy and...”
“You’re beautiful. Does that mean you’ve been with a lot of people?”
She huffed. “Fine, don’t answer the question.”
“I’ve been with a few girls, Grace. Not a lot.”
“Have you ever been with a virgin?”
