Way Off Plan (Firsts and Forever 1)

“Going. And you’re way too young to be making Fast Times at Ridgemont High references,” I told her.

“What can I say? I love the classics.” She came around the counter and gave me a hug before saying, “So explain to me the logic of wearing this shirt completely unbuttoned.”

“It looked too dressy buttoned up.”

“I knew there was a solid explanation.” Then she said, “So, you look happy. You’ve adapted well to a life of leisure.”

“Not a life of leisure. Just a week of leisure. Next week I’m either going to have to return to the SFPD or, I dunno, get a job at Seven-Eleven or something.”

“Yeah, you might want to iron out that whole career plan at some point there, Jamie.”

“I know. I’m going with the super awesome ignore-it-and-maybe-it’ll-go-away plan for now.” I leaned against the jewelry counter and said, “So hey, guess who came to see me bright and early this morning?”

“Your Dad?”

“Worse. Way worse. Charlie decided to pay me a visit before I’d even had a chance to shower.”

“He did? Why?”

“Because he ran into one of my stupid brothers-in-law at Flannigan’s, and they told him I was dating a criminal,” I said. “Which, of course, Charlie made all about him. He asked me if I was trying to make him jealous, and accused me of trying to get his attention by the aforementioned criminal dating.”

“Oh my God. Charlie can be such a total idiot. And I’ll be sure to tell him that next time I see him.”

“Be my guest. Though he was actually already put in his place pretty thoroughly this morning.”

“What do you mean?”

“When Dmitri heard Charlie accusing me of lying about my hot new boyfriend, he came strolling out of my bedroom dressed in nothing but that black jock strap thing you made me buy, and totally rubbed Charlie’s nose in the fact that I was with him now.” I smiled happily.

Jess smiled, too. “I knew I liked that gangster.”

“And, good news: he’s not really a gangster.”

“No?”

“He’s basically being used for his family name by some shitty uncle. Dmitri’s never hurt anyone, never gotten anywhere near the drug trade, nothing like that.”

“But he’s still wrapped up in the Russian mafia, right?”

“Yeah, but just as a figurehead. He’s not really doing anything illegal.”

“Would, let’s say, a court of law agree with your assessment that he’s not doing anything illegal?” she asked.

I hesitated, then admitted, “I’m not sure. He takes meetings. He introduces people. And then he steps back. Does that make him an accessory to some of the crimes these people go on to commit? I really don’t know. But what he’s doing doesn’t sound all that bad in my book.”

“Ok. Your Dad’s never going to buy it, just so you know. But I’m on board with the not-all-that-bad position.”

“Good.” I held her gaze and asked, “So, what did you and Dmitri talk about on the ride home last night?”

She grinned at me. “I knew you’d have to ask.”

“Of course. So tell me.”

“He asked me if I thought you’d like a little getaway to Australia, because the surfing’s really good there and he was thinking about surprising you.”

“You’re shitting me.”

Jess shook her head. “Nope. He actually asked me that. And I had to tell him that idea would never work, because my stupid best friend doesn’t own a damn passport.”

“Oh man. I am stupid. Though in my defense, I’ve never actually needed a passport before, because I could never afford to go anywhere.”

“So how can Dmitri afford Australian vacations, not to mention that flashy car, the expensive clothes, the big house? Is it his mafia connection that makes all of that possible?”

“I actually have no idea. I know the nightclub’s his, and maybe that generates a good income. But I never asked.” And then I said, “Oh, hey, that reminds me: Dmitri gave me a set of keys to his house this morning.”

Jess’s eyebrows shot toward her hairline. “Holy shit. Really? You two are moving so fast.”

“I know.”

Jess paused for a moment, fidgeting with one of the hats on the counter. And then she said, “Not to be a buzz kill or anything, but have you asked Dmitri about the fiancé? Or about the marriage in general? And I bring it up because you two are obviously getting really serious, but then there’s this huge stumbling block to consider.”

I shook my head and said, “I haven’t asked him. It just hurts way too much to think about it, let alone try to talk about it.”

“You really do need to talk to him,” Jess said gently.

“I will. Soon. I’ve been putting it off, but I know I can’t do that forever.”

Jess squeezed my arm. “I know it’s going to be painful. But I’ll help you get through it, Jamie.”

I hugged her and said, “Thanks, Jess. I love you. You know that, right?”