It does. But what doesnt make sense is why you didnt just tell me that last night.
Because Im stupid, he said. I didnt want you to know that my job might very well be on the chopping block. And then when you got really playful about it, I just took it the wrong way. DanielleI have never hurt a woman. Please believe me on that. And putting my hands on you like that last nightGod, Im so sorry.
She said nothing. Her arms had bruised up a bit and she had felt a bit in danger. Still, she could hear what she thought was genuine sadness in his voice.
Danielle?
Im here, she said. JustI wish you would have told me all of this before it got to the point it did.
I know. Pleasecan you forgive me?
She knew she would. She was simply trying to think of what she could do to turn things in her favor. She smiled at the idea that came to her and couldnt help herself.
Well, this PG relationship is coming to a stop. Youre going to meet me at my apartment tonight and were going to make out. Im not going to sleep with you yet butwell, theres going to be touching.
Umokay. I can do that, he said, clearly confused yet appreciative.
Thats not it. My sister just moved into town. I told you that, right?
Yeah.
Well, its some swanky uptight neighborhood. The kind that has block parties. Shes invited me to a block party this weekend. I want you to come with me.
Oh. Okay. I can do that.
Good, she said. Ill see you tonight, then.
She ended the call just like that. She liked the idea that he had no idea how to respond to her. She also liked that she basically had control of him nownot in any sort of devious way, but just so that she could feel a little more comfortable around him.
Feeling a bit better, the paranoia now just a little seed of worry in the back of her head, she headed home. And she was delighted to find that she was excited for tonight. It had been a very long time since shed actually wanted a mans hands on her.
That, plus the quickly fading paranoia, made her wonder if maybe Martin might be the right man for her after all. He seemed to be changing all sorts of things about her. Of course, he knew very little about those things and shed keep it that way for as long as she could.
She continued home, starting to wonder just what in the hell you were supposed to wear to a block party.
It was almost enough to drive away the spike of paranoia that had firmly latched itself into her earlier that morning and had remained on her in the grocery store.
Almost.
She grabbed her phone and dialed up Chloe. She didnt even allow her sister time to say Hello before she started speaking.
This block party.can I bring a date?
Yes, of course, Chloe said, clearly stunned.
Ill see you tomorrow, then.
And with that, she hung up the phone, wondering what the hell she had just gotten herself into.
Chapter Eight
Chloe was pruning a head of broccoli when the doorbell rang. She knew right away that it was Danielle. She was quite nervous about this but, at the same time, happy to see something as stable as an actual boyfriend in her sisters life. Steven, meanwhile, was skeptical. He figured the boyfriend would be someone just like Danielle, creating an even tenser environment with two people to worry about.
Chloe had managed to shrug off Stevens attitude toward Danielle for most of their four years together but now that the wedding was getting closer, it was really starting to annoy her. But that was an argument for another day.
Chloe wiped her hands off on a dish towel and walked to the door. She took a steadying breath before she answered it. She hated to sway toward Stevens line of thinking but she was slightly worried about what Danielle would look like.
When she answered the door and found her sister somewhat made up and striking, she nearly did a double take. The black hair was put up into a cute little bun in the back. She was wearing a slight bit of makeupjust enough to help her cheeks glowand had thankfully decided against band T-shirts or her standard pseudo-goth look. She was wearing black, but it was a semi-dressy tank top with delicate straps. Her tattoo showed along her upper back but that wasnt too distracting. The jeans she wore surprised Chloe the most; they were basic dark denim and quite tight, showing off her curves in a way Chloe had never seen before.
Danielle, you look amazing, Chloe said.
Yeah, dont get used to it. She stepped aside and nodded to the man who had come with her. This is Martin.
Pleased to meet you, Martin said, extending his hand.
Chloe shook it and noticed for the first time that he was dressed basically how shed expected Danielle to show up. His T-shirt was wrinkled and his cargo shorts had a noticeable tear underneath one of the pockets. He wore a tattered pair of flip-flops with well-worn bands. His hair looked like it hadnt been washed in a few days. He looked tired and out of sorts. Chloe couldnt help but wonder if he was high. And if not high, almost certainly a user. She dreaded the moment when Steven met him.
This house is enormous, Danielle said as she stepped through the foyer and into the living room.
Yeah, it does feel big, Chloe said. Were nearly unpacked. I think once all the crap is out of the boxes, it might not feel so big.
The sunlight was reflecting off of the polished hardwood floors as she led Danielle and Martin into the kitchen. Chloe bit back a tiny smile, enjoying the feeling of sort of showing off in front of Danielle. There was no malice in the feeling, but more of a basic sense of pride.
Got kids? Martin asked.
Wow, Danielle really doesnt talk about me, Chloe thought. No, she answered. Not yet and no time soon.