examine her fingernails.
“Hey, two more?” She hands menus to Andrew and Danielle.
“No,” I say, “they’re sitting at a different—”
“Yeah, we can just sit here,” Andrew says, taking the menu. “Thanks.”
“Great!” the waitress says. “You guys drinking?”
“Not tonight.” Danielle smiles sweetly. “Just water.”
They order some food, and then when the waitress is gone, Danielle takes a long swig from the water bottle and hands it over to Andrew. He clinks it against her knuckles in a cheers before he drinks, and she smiles. I feel an uncomfortable swoop in my stomach and set down my glass, worried I’m going to drink too much before the food comes.
There’s a quick buzzing in my purse, and I pull out my phone to see a text from Danielle.
James Dean on a real date? Nice job. Didn’t think you had it in you
I look up to see her reaching across the checkered tablecloth toward Andrew. A few unruly strands of honey-blond hair have fallen forward over his brow, and she lightly brushes them back into place. I have a quick flash of running my hands through that same hair last night, and flush with heat. Danielle whispers something close to him, and he laughs.
It feels like she’s flirting with him just to torture me, just to throw everything in my face. But she doesn’t know anything about what happened. She doesn’t know about the Plan. I’m the one being ridiculous. I’m sitting across the booth from James Dean; I shouldn’t care about hands in Andrew’s hair—hers or mine.
I narrow my eyes and send her a text back.
Yup, definitely have it in me
Then I text Andrew.
What are you doing?? You don’t even like her
“So, is this the first time you guys have ever been on a double date together?” Danielle asks, motioning to Andrew and me. “Actually, forget that. I don’t want to know about this guy’s dating history.” She slaps him playfully on the arm. “Sophie’s already told me too much.”
“You couldn’t handle it,” he says to her.
“Whatever, Reed. I can handle anything.”
“Is that a challenge?” he asks.
“You’ll just have to find out.”
I don’t even know what they’re talking about anymore. Their flirting feels so dumb and scripted. Party Andrew is out in full force. I bring my wineglass up to my lips and try to take a sip but realize it’s empty.
ANDREW
Why do you think I don’t like her?
ME
She’s a hand grenade, remember?
ANDREW
That’s what makes it exciting
“Keely, do you want some of my water?” Danielle asks, holding the wine in my direction. I grab it from her gratefully, taking a long swig. It burns the back of my throat.
“So, what’s the deal with you two?” Dean asks, motioning a toned arm at Danielle and Andrew.
“Well, I mean, there’s always sort of been a thing,” Danielle says, reaching up to play with her necklace.
“Always?” I ask, because it’s definitely not true.
“Remember when you gave me that stupid valentine in sixth grade?” Danielle asks, ignoring my question. She leans forward, eyes sparkling.
“Um.” Andrew pauses, fiddling with the fork sitting on the folded napkin in front of him. There’s an annoying tap tap tap sound as it hits the table. His cheeks are tinged pink. “I try not to remember that.”
“It had one of those weird fighting turtles on it,” she says.