Page 55 of Anytime I Want

It takes us about ten minutes to get the snacks ready, and Chloe is impatiently tapping her foot on the floor. “How long does it take to make popcorn? Did you have to harvest the corn?” Nathan rolls his eyes and drops a bowl in her lap. About half of it spills on her and the floor. “I am not cleaning that up. Nathan’s fault.” She points at him.

“So, what are we watching?” I ask, tucking myself under Graham’s arm. I hand him the big bowl I got for us to share, and I notice that he is back in his t-shirt and shorts and, my favorite, a backward baseball hat. He smiles before nodding at the screen. Chloe presses a button on the remote to wake the TV up, and the splash screen forEver Afterpops up.

“Perfect.”

Chapter 30

Julia

The next week, I spend a lot of time with Mabel, practicing my song for the variety show. I am terrified. My voice shakes every time I try to sing, I miss more notes than I hit, and I can tell Mabel is lost for what she should do. She tries all the clichés and nothing works.

The Wednesday before the performance, she texts me and asks if I will bring Graham today. “It’s about time I meet him,” she says.

He has started wrestling, and it takes a lot of time, so I’m not sure, but it won’t hurt to ask.

Julia

Do you have wrestling practice today? Wanna meet Mabel?

Graham

Absolutely. I have practice until 4:30. Then I’m all yours.

At 4:45, Graham knocks on my door, his hair wet, smelling absolutely delicious. I give him a lingering hug, partially because I like to, but also, what kind of soap does he use? We head to the car, hand in hand, chatting about wrestling practice until we get to Mabel’s house.

“Okay, she can be a little shocking sometimes. I know it won’t work because you are both incorrigible, but please don’t encourage her.” He smiles at me, a mischievous look in his eyes. I sigh, putting the car in park.

Graham takes my bag and carries it to the front door.

I knock before letting myself in. “Mabel! We’re here!”

She comes rushing out of the kitchen, well, as much as an eighty-year-old woman can rush. She completely bypasses me and holds her hands out to Graham. “Graham! You are even more handsome than in pictures!”

Graham’s eyes light up, and he glances at me before winking at Mabel. “Well, I’ll have to come visit you more often! I need a good pick me up and nothing is better than being complimented by a beautiful woman.” He kisses her hand.

“Oh, you’re a charmer.” She bats her hands at him. “No wonder you have girls fighting over you.”

I cringe at the veiled reference to Ginger. “Did I tell you that Mabel is Ginger’s grandma?”

“Oh. Cool?”

“Yep, Ginger is mine. Lovely girl.” Mabel waves her hands and smiles at us. “But let’s chat about you two! Tell me all about The List! Julia, you go make some lemonade for us. Did Julia tell you that I have two lemon trees? They produce so much that I have fresh lemon juice all year round. I mean, made-from-frozen fresh lemon juice, but I still count it.”

“As you should,” Graham agrees, entirely in his element. He helps her to the couch and settles next to her. “Go on, Julia. I would like some lemonade.” He smirks. I raise my eyebrow at him and shake my head. He knows he won though. I could never disobey Mabel.

“Now, what’s your favorite item on The List?” Mabel asks Graham.

“Oh, that’s a good question. They’ve all been good, but number fourteen is kiss in the rain. How could I pick anything besides that?”

I hear Mabel clap her hands. “She told me all about that! At the Haunted House! Before that minx attached herself to you.” I can imagine the look she’s giving him.

“Minx?!” Graham’s voice is full of laughter. I carry the tray into the living room, and Graham jumps up to grab it from me.

“Oh, what a gentleman.” Mabel sighs. An actual, literal sigh. She’s totally in love.I don’t blame her.We spend the next half hour or so chatting about school, The List, and whatever random thing Mabel brings up. Eventually she claps her hands. “Now the reason we brought you here!”

“This wasn’t the reason?” Graham asks, looking at me. I shrug. I know as much as he does.

“I want Julia to sing in front of you. She needs practice. She can sometimes sing for me, but the closer we get to Friday, the worse she sounds. No offense, dearie.” She pats my leg but it doesn’t comfort me.

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