My Forever (39 page)

“I have a date Friday.” I wonder how he’ll take it. It’s been a couple of weeks since Justin and I went out because we’r
e both so busy, but the last time was a lot of fun.

Hank sighs. “Well, you can bring the goodie-two-shoes-but-still-not-good-enough-for-Dani boy here, or you can put off your date until Saturday.”

“I think I’ll just put it off
.
” Bringing conservative Justin around flirtatious Hank for a date doesn’t seem like a great idea.
“
W
hat’s going on anyway?”

“Technically a showing, like an art studio thing. Dress nice.”

I’m nervous already. I quietly help him clean up and he heads to his computer to tell his assistant who handles this kind of stuff, what still needs to be done. I’m annoyed that I don’t know since it’s obviously something he’s prepared for.

“See you tomorrow gorgeous.” Hank winks before I walk out.

I call Leigh on my way home.

“I need your help.”

She laughs. “Well, this is a first. What can I help you with, Dani?”

“I need a dress… B
y Friday.”

“For?”

“An art thing. He said to dress nice.”

“I can do that.” I swear I can hear the wheels in Leigh’s head turning right now. “Your timing is actually perfect. Come by tomorrow night
,
and I’ll fit you.”

“Wow, okay. Thank you. Tomorrow?” Leigh is amazing.

I invite Jackie to Hank’s showing because I know how she loves this stuff and because I do not want to be there alone. She seems completely indifferent. This is odd for Jackie. I’ll need to ask her what
’s going on with her.
Maybe its
just school.

~
~
~

I arrive at Leigh’s house just after dinner.

I can hear her run to the door when she hears my footsteps and the throws it open.

“Dani! Come in! Try it on!”

“Well, it’s not done is it?” I ask.

“Almost.
I didn’t want to completely finish it until I could fit it to you.” Her smile splits her face, and she jogs back into her sewing room, while I trail behind.

My jaw drops when I see the dress. It’s incredible,
but
way, way too sexy. As I look closer, I’m completely appropriately covered, the sleeves go to my elbow, the neckline dips in the back but it’s above my collarbone in the front. It looks like it wraps down or something. The dress is fitted and just below my knee. The color is a grey so dark it’s almost black
,
but the grey makes it look
petable
. Leigh has to help me wriggle in. She pulls my hair up, sticks in a clasp to hold it there
,
and stands back.

“I knew it!” She cla
ps her hands together. “It’s totally perfect for you.”

I look in the mirror
,
and I’m dazed. With a pair of heels, this is going to be outrageous.

“No way.” Brian shakes his head from the doorway. “Leigh, Dani is not going out in that.”

She laughs. I’m trying to decide if he’s joking or not.

“You look
way
too grown up,” he says. “
Way
.”

I giggle and do a half dance, completely excited.

“You sit and have dinner with Brian and the kids. I’ll finish this so I can send it home with you.”

“Leigh, you’re amazing.”

“I know.” She’s smug. “This is what I do.”

~
~
~

When
I arrive home
,
it’s late. The dress is clutched under my arm. I see Justin walking toward my gate at the same time as I am.

“Hey there.”  I cock my head and watch him. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Hey.” He stops, shuffling his feet on the sidewalk. “I just wan
ted to drop by and say hi today. Y
ou know, since you’re blowing me off tomorrow.”
The smirk on his face says he’s teasing.

“Well, to make it up to you, why don’t we dress up and go all out on Saturday?” I raise my arm. “I just got a great dress that I have to wear tomorrow
,
but I’ll be more excited to wear it if we can do something together.” I want him to know I like him and don’t want him to feel blown off. I just don’t like the idea of Hank bothering him all evening.

“So maybe we could be more than people who both like boats and old video games?” He’s shy but steps a step closer to me.

“Yeah, maybe.” The way he’s looking at me sends tingles through my stomach. Do I want this? I don’t know. Justin is nice.
But
Michael
… told me to live like he didn’t exist.
             

“Can I walk down with you?” he asks.

“Sure, but I’m warning you now
.
Jackie is really grouchy about boys being here late.”

“Oh. Well, I guess I could say goodnight to you here then instead.”

“Okay.” It seems like a pretty simple thing to do
,
but then he leans down and kisses me. It’s nice. His witty talk doesn’t translate here. It’s not that he’s sloppy. It’s just that he’s so careful.
Too careful.
I smile as he pulls away. It’s sweet.

“I’ll see you
Saturday.”

“See you t
hen.” I wave as he walks away and
d
on’t know how I feel about it. No matter his instructions, w
hy am I trying to date anyone when I think about Michael on more nights than not?

26

The music
from Hank’s place
carries
do
wn on the street. Jackie smiles. T
his is the perfect time for her to put on her mask of superficiality and enjoy her evening. She’ll probably know half of everyone here. She always seems to.

I will never be able to thank Leigh enough times for this dress. Jackie pulled up my hair and even with my protests, did an unbelievable job with my makeup. We open the large doors at the top
of the elevator
and step into his loft.

The place is transformed.
All of his best work from my months with him as well as the f
ew months before.
I
t’s
all
from the past year. I realize that the picture I took of him my first day
in this place is also hanging
. It’s not as large as the rest
,
but it’s still there.
Sort of a tribute to the artist thing.

“Whoa… Dani….” Hank stops with his mouth open.

Instead of blushing or looking away I just
stare. “You said to dress nice.
I’m just following boss
’ orders.” I don’t falter once—
not in my stance, not in my words. Jackie smiles next to me, proud. I’m glad I brought her. I’m tired of seeing a studious scowl on her face.

“Well come with me.” He holds out his arm
,
and I take it. “There are people you should meet.”

The party is a haze
. H
e offers me champagne more than once
,
and I keep declining. “I don’t drink, remember?”

“Oh right.” He does drink and he has been drinking.
“Dani. You stay right here. I’
ll go get you some of the non-alcoholic stuff.”

This seems fine. “Okay.” I stand and look through the photographs he has on one of the partitions spreading through the room. He comes back and hands me a glass with a flourish.

“Thanks.” I smile and take it from him. It’s surprisingly good
,
and I polish off my first glass quickly.

“You keep walking. I will get you another.” He gives me a friendly kiss on my cheek.

I must be tired or something because I’m having a hard time staying focused. I’m meeting all sorts of people. I’m never this outgoing
or funny,
and I’m
totally
pleased with myself.

“There you are.” Hank stands too close to me this time. He hands me another glass.

“Non-alcoholic, right?”

“Of course.” He laughs. He puts his arm around me. “Silly girl.”

We wander around a little more. He has created an actual maze with these partitions. I’m convinced of it. We run into Jackie who gives me an eyebrow and glances over at Hank who still has his arm around me. I give her a look that says I’m okay and she mouths back,
be careful
.

Jackie is being silly. Jackie is
always
being silly. I polish off my glass feeling positively delightful. Must be all the sugar after not eating dinner.

Hank is still leading me. We step around another partition and another
,
and I realize we must be in his apartment. I’ve never been in here before.

Wow.
This is where Hank lives.

It’s sparse and clean. It’s almost amazing that this huge space is simply in a corner of his loft.

“Wow.” I say, using all of my newfound confidence in my beautiful too sexy dress. “So, this is where the mighty Hank lives, huh?” I stand tall, keep my stomach sucked in and walk slowly in my high, high heels.

“Yes.” He’s watching me from a bit of a distance. The way he’s looking at me gives me butterflies
,
and I smile, enjoying the feeling. This party is so
fun
. He’s leaning against a counter
,
but he pushes off and walks to me. He is
absolutely, perfectly unkempt.