Second First Impressions

“Overruled,” Presiding Judge Theodore Prescott says. “So far very accurate.”

Bananas mixed with yogurt are a hell of a drug. Melanie is getting some color back in her cheeks. “Just let me say the whole thing. No interrupting. Twenty-five-year-old cute-as-a-button brunette seeks old-fashioned soul mate to set her world on fire. No casual hookups, weirdos, little dicks, broke dudes, or fugs.”

I am aghast. “Melanie. Take that last bit off.”

“I loaned her some of my dating profile,” she says to Teddy with a grin. “It’s too good.”

“Well, it rules me out.” He hauls himself to his feet when he hears a scooter. “I’m sure you’ll debate that in my absence.”

“Broke dude,” we both say in unison to his departing back. “He’s also a weirdo,” Melanie adds. I cut her off with a headshake before she can ponder the rest.

“I am feeling so much better, but I need some air,” Melanie says when Teddy walks in holding the delivered takeout. “Why don’t I walk these up to the girls. I want to talk to Aggie about careers. Did you know she was a fancy lawyer?” She detangles the bags out of his hand and walks off up the hill.

The light leaves the room. This is traditionally the time that makes me feel like life is over, but it’s just beginning, because he is here. The zesty lemon flecks in his eyes are the only bright things.

This is it. Another moment I’ll look back on one day with either a headshake or a mental high five. I had a gorgeous, single next-door neighbor, a risky one for sure, but I am a champion at guarding my feelings. I have been training for this big, tattooed mistake all my life. If I ask him to just give me the last few weeks he has left, what would he say?

Before I can take this chance, he lifts his phone and says, “Here, I’ll take your dating profile photo. Oh, man,” he says in despair to the screen.

“Show me.”

He holds the screen up. For a dating profile photo, it’s not the best. I’m at a desk with glasses around my neck and yes, brown and cream is not my best palette, but I look like someone who has integrity, clear skin with a flush, a light in her eyes, and a fond softness to her mouth.

“I look like a pretty little dweeb. At least it’s truthful advertising.” My joke doesn’t make him smile. He sinks down lower, staring at the screen, polishing a smudge off the glass with his thumb. His chest rises and falls on a deep breath.

I’m going to take a page out of his book. If I say it light and joking, he won’t know that it’s serious. “I’m worried I won’t remember how to kiss. I haven’t kissed anyone since Adam. My prom night feels like a long time ago now.”

He’s momentarily dumbstruck as he considers the length of my drought. He leans forward, elbows on knees. “Don’t worry for a second. You should see your mouth when you talk. When you smile,” he adds when I do now. “I think you’re a good kisser.”

I wonder if I could possibly convince him to test the theory?

I look across at the time. “Would you like to come over for dinner on Friday night, after I go clothes shopping with Mel?” The mere mention of food has him nodding. He rubs his palms up and down his thighs. I wonder if this is a little underhanded, having a kiss-related motive. I should be up front. “I think I should tell you that I will probably try for a good-night kiss. For purely scientific reasons.”

He’s gaping at my boldness, and laughing, and concerned. “That’s not a good idea. My self-control around you has been pretty impressive. We don’t want me falling back into old patterns.”

I stay brave. “I wouldn’t mind. So knowing this motive, are you still coming to dinner? I can’t exactly invite myself over to your nuclear bunker. It’s really a shame your dad couldn’t fix you up with a cozier abode.”

“He said I could have an empty town house.” He shrugs carelessly. “The Parlonis told me on my second day I could have their spare room. I’ve got some very comfy options. But I’ll stay right where I am.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re my neighbor.”

I am utterly charmed and I’m sure he sees it. I stretch my arms over my head.

“Thanks for the profile photo. When Mel gets back, she’s going to push the button. Let the dicks rain down upon me.” I put my face in my hands. “Let me rephrase.”

“Don’t remind me about all those jerks with dicks,” he says in a withering tone. He attaches my photo to a text and a second later his phone chimes in his pocket. “About Friday. I’m gonna be a good boy, so don’t get your hopes up.” I don’t know if it’s the lengthening shadows playing tricks on my eyes, but he seems kind of nervous. Why would he be? It’s just me.

“One of these days I’m going to be a bad girl. Maybe you’ll be around to witness it.” I can’t believe the things I’m brave enough to say to him these days. It kind of suits me. Then I utterly ruin my sexy bad girl aura, but I don’t think he minds. “Now, let’s talk about software packages. What have you found that might suit your studio?”

Chapter Twenty

I had to invite them,” Melanie says when we pull up in front of the thrift store, parking her tiny car behind a rather conspicuous Rolls-Royce Phantom. “They were both asking me when and where we’re doing the makeover, and I said here, and this time, and it all just worked out this way. What’s the big deal?” She is breathless.

“It’s not a big deal. Why are you so nervous?” I mean, now I am, too, if Teddy is inside.

“I’ve got a lot riding on this third week,” is all she’ll reply.