Page 15 of Damien
“Uh… I’ve always been smarter than you—thank you very much.” I feign in grievance, but everyone in the room knows I’m only joking.
Vince remains quiet for a moment, then slowly stands from the couch. “I think I’m just gonna take a shower and work on a paper I have due next week while Syd’s at work, so I can spend time with her tomorrow.” Then he turns to Margo. “I’m glad you could make it today. Thanks for coming down. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I haven’t missed a birthday yet,” she acknowledges. “Besides, I’ll use any excuse to hang with my bestie any chance I can get.”
As soon as Vince is out of sight, Margo turns to look at me. “Despite his worries about asking Sydney to move in, I swear… I’ve never seen him happier.”
“You’re right, he is. He still stubbornly tries to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, but she’s mellowed him out. I don’t think I’ve seen him smile more since high school.”
“That’s amazing.” Margo beams, then waggles her brows at me. “What about you? Are you happy?”
Taking a deep breath, I take a moment to think about her question. Knowing Margo, she won’t be satisfied with a half-ass answer. She’ll also be able to see through any BS I sling her way, too. Not that I’d try. With her, I’ve never needed to. She’s seen me through my worst and still supported me every step of the way.
Chewing on my lower lip, I take stock of my life. Mentally, I’m in such a better place now. I still miss my parents every day, but it’s manageable. Julia’s happy and healthy, and I’m on track for graduating next year. I’ve got great friends. What else could I need?
“Yeah,” I finally surmise. “I think I’m getting there.”
Suddenly, Margo sits up on the edge of the couch, and her face lights up like the Cheshire cat. “Okay… don’t shoot me… but what aboutyourpersonal life?”
“Uh… what personal life?” I pull a WTF expression, I’m sure. “I’ve got Julia, Vince, and a few friends, but are those considered a personal life?”
“Have you even considered dating?” she huffs out as if I’m a toddler not understanding the words she’s pouring from her lips.
God, what is it with my friends? I swear I’ve been asked this more in the last week than in the last five years. When Margo just stares at me, I’m forced to find a response for her. “Uh… I don’t have the time between work, school, and Julia. And the last I checked, most guys our age run screaming for the hills at the thought of a commitment… let alone to someone who already has a built-in-family option.”
“Vanny, I swear you don’t give yourself enough credit.” She reaches out and pats my leg that’s propped on the coffee table in front of us.
“Seriously, Margo, it’s not like I can have a casual fling. That’s not me, and you know that. But it’s all I’d have time for.”
Her brow arches high as she asks, “There hasn’t been anyone who’s even turned your head twice?”
Dark-brown eyes, a perfectly square chin, and perfectly sculpted lips come to mind, and I can’t fight the smile that forms when I think of Damien. What is it about this man that has me squirming in my seat at the thought of him?
“Who have you not told me about?” Margo spits out. “I haven’t seen that dopey look on your face since high school. Wait… is it that guy you were talking with in the kitchen during the party?”
Who is she talking about?
“What?” I start to ask, but she interrupts me instead.
“You know…” she exaggerates, though I clearly don’t. “That tall one who was talking with Vince right before the cake?”
Wincing, I force myself to say his name aloud. “Ryan?”What is it with everyone thinking I have anything going on with him?“Uh… we’re just friends.”
“Uh… he doesn’t look at you like you’re only friends,” she protests. “Wait… have you even been paying attention?”
“I’m sure you’re mistaken,” I brush off. “Besides, he’s never asked me out or given me any indication he’s interested in anything besides being a friend to Vince and by correlation—me.”
“When was the last time you even went on a date?”
I just stare at her—she knows this. She knows the last person I dated was in high school—before Julia. Sure, I went to senior prom and a few places with a group of friends, but those weren’t real dates.
“You’ve got to be kidding me, Van.,” Margo sighs as she shakes her head in disbelief. “Why not?”
“Uh… Julia?” I offer in explanation. But when her eyes narrow as if she’s not buying it, I spit out, “Because no one’s ever asked?” I shrug.
“You’re telling me, in over five years, you’ve never been asked?”
I think about her words, then clarify, “Well, no one ever worthactuallygoing on one has.”
