Page 319 of Well Played

She pouted. “The instructor said I wouldn’t be able to get my driver's license right away, even after passing the test. I’d have to get a permit, then a provisional license, and then finally, I can get the real deal.”

“I told you it wouldn’t be easy,” Walker reminded her. He turned to Kay. “Do you mind picking her up for practice or shifts if your dad and mom aren’t available?”

“I think I can manage that,” she smiled. “Do you have a bike, Grace?”

Grace shook her head.

“I bike to work some days when my dad’s busy,” Jimmy told her.

“Can I get a bike?” Gracie asked.

“I don’t have time to get you one before I leave.”

“I can help,” Kay volunteered. “I think we have some old bikes at the house. There’s bound to be one Grace can ride.”

“Keep a tab and I’ll pay you when I get back.”

Kay waved her hand. “My dad will be happy to outfit her with everything she needs. Don’t worry about it.” Kay leaned over and asked Grace, “Do you have my number programed in your phone?”

“Yes, yours, coach’s and Jimmy’s.”

“Well, if you need anything, night or day, call me. I’ll come.”

“Be careful what you tell her. She’s liable to have you over just to play cards,” he teased. Moving to Leeward was the right thing to do for Grace. Could it also be the right thing to do for himself? Kay teased him about his age, but at 35, he was feeling every one of those years and then some. “Um, can I get your number, just in case?”

Kay smiled and gave it to him.

He said goodbye to Grace. “No boys and no parties while I’m gone.”

“No boys. Got it.” She smiled. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry. Coach and his family are great. They said I could come stay with them if I get scared or lonely.”

He hugged her. “I know you’re grown, but no matter how old you are, you’ll always be my Bug.”

Grace rolled her eyes. “Go already.”

“I’ll be back on Monday, Tuesday at the latest.”

“I know. I have the schedule.”

He watched her through his rearview mirror until he could no longer see her standing in the driveway, waving.

“Hi,” Jimmy said as she opened the door.

“Hi.” Grace stood in the doorway excited to have her first grownup date, well, not really a date since they were going to stay in and watch movies and eat popcorn and pizza, but it was her first entertaining a person in her own house by herself. It wasn’t a party and Jimmy didn’t really count as a boy.

“Are you gonna let me in? I got ice cream and sodas. They’re cold.”

Kay had made the pizza for her before they left the coffee shop. It was still warm. They loaded their paper plates with slices of pizza and some snack foods. Grace was proud of herself. She’d even sliced cucumbers so they would have at least one vegetable on the plate. She liked to dip them in ranch dressing. Jimmy didn’t like the seeds, but he said he’d eat carrot sticks.

They curled up on either end of the couch with their plates and sodas. Grace put on a romantic comedy. When it was over, she moved to Jimmy’s end of the couch.

“What?”

“Do you want to kiss me?”

He grimaced. “Do you want me to kiss you?”

“Yes, I’d like to know what it’s all about. Have you ever kissed a girl?”

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