Don't Kiss the Bride
I rub the back of my neck. “That’s okay. I have a backup plan. No worries.”
“Are you sure? I feel really bad.”
“Absolutely. Don’t feel bad. If you want, I’ll stop by your house to visit on my way home.” Her little brother is adorable, so I don’t mind hanging out with her when she has to babysit him. He always makes me laugh.
“Cool. Do you want to go to the diner? I could go for a salad and a strawberry shake right now.”
The idea of onions and lettuce commingling with mushed-up strawberry milk has my gag reflex on overdrive. There’s no way I can sit across from her and witness that kind of culinary cohabitation.
“I’d rather just go home. I’m not feeling too great, and I have to work again tomorrow. I want to go to bed early.”
“You never feel good. Why don’t you go to the doctor?”
“I think I’m getting a cold. Or it could be allergies.”
On that note, I unzip my purse and hunt out another lozenge. I’m going to have to buy more. I’m gobbling these things like candy.
“Take some vitamins,” she says. “Maybe you should get one of those IV vitamin infusion things.”
“What’s that?”
“You get an IV from a nurse that’s filled with all sorts of vitamins. It’s supposed to boost your immunity and make you feel healthy and energized. My cousin gets it done when she travels or doesn’t sleep enough.”
I’m sure I can’t afford that, even though it sounds interesting. I feel tired no matter how much I sleep.
“I’ll keep that in mind if I don’t start to feel better,” I say.
“You know that kid Erik whose locker is like, two down from mine?”
My mind shuffles through her row of lockers and comes up blank.
“No.”
“Yes, you do. He’s always been super quiet, kinda nerdy, and skinny? He had glasses like Harry Potter?”
Nodding, I say, “Kind of.” I have no idea who she’s talking about.
“Well, he’s got contacts now and I think he’s been working out because he’s not so skinny anymore. He’s still nerdy, but in a sexy way. And his hair is a bit longer.”
“Okay…”
“I think I’m going to ask him out.”
I almost choke on my lozenge. “What? Why?”
“Because he’s cute and he’s essentially new meat now that he’s rebooted himself.”
“Meg, just flirt with him and wait for him to ask you out. You’re a total babe, you know he will if you show him some attention.”
“It’s the twenty-first century! I don’t have to wait around for a guy to make the first move.”
That’s true. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“I want to get to him before someone else does.”
“Geez. He’s not an X-box.”
“I know. But if I noticed how cute he is, the others will, too.”
The way she says the others makes it sound like there’s a ship of female Vikings coming to claim all the cute boys.
When she pulls into my driveway and puts her car in park, I turn to look at her. I can see her mind spinning, conjuring up ways to snag unsuspecting Erik.
“I hate to break this to you, Meg, but he’s probably still a virgin if he was nerdy and shy up until this year.”
Her mouth scrunches up. “Ya think?”
“I think it’s a good possibility.”
“Hmm. That could suck.” She taps her fingers on the steering wheel, her lips pursed crookedly in thought. “But it could be fun, too. I could rock his world.”
“He’ll probably fall madly in love with you if you’re his first.”
She frowns dramatically. “He better not. I want fun. Not some lovesick puppy drama.”
“Just be nice to him. No breaking hearts.”
A laugh bursts from her. “I’ll try.” Her smile fades as she stares at my house. “This place is getting sketchy. Doesn’t anyone mow the lawn?”
The knot in my stomach twists. “We’re looking for a new landscaper. The last guy quit.” It’s a lie. I’m the one who mows the lawn, but I’ve felt too weak lately to do it in this heat.
“I hope you find someone soon or the grass will be up to your knees. There could be snakes slithering around in there.”
“There aren’t any snakes.” I grab my stuff. “Thanks for the ride. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay. Love ya, babe.”
“Love ya, too,” I reply before I slam the door.
I linger by the mailbox at the end of the driveway until she’s gone. I don’t want her seeing me crawling through the window. She’ll abduct me and have me living in her guest room on an IV drip in less than twenty-four hours. As much as I’d be grateful for the care, I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for me.
Later, after I’ve settled in bed to watch TV, I stare at my pretty new phone screen, debating on whether I should take Jude up on his offer for a ride. He’s already gone out of his way for me twice, more than anyone besides Megan ever has. He refuses gas money, not that I can really afford to give it to him. I would, though. I don’t expect freebies from strangers.