Page 26 of Damien
“What’s so interesting about that?” I ask, wondering what’s the big deal. There has to be more to this story.
“Jack bet her the cost of her meal… that if her eyes weren’t bigger than her stomach and she finishes the entire thing, he’d have to take her to dinner.”
“Jack asked her out?” Damn. The man still has game.
Vanessa nods enthusiastically. “Yep, Martha gobbled the whole thing down like a frat boy after a binger. I couldn’t keep my eyes off Jack when he realized she was winning their bet.”
“No kidding? I can only imagine what was going through that head of his.”
“I know, right?” Vanessa shrugs as if that should explain everything. “It was cute as can be when she took the last bite of cinnamon roll. Jack’s eyes practically bulged out of their sockets, and he swallowed so hard I could hear it. Then in typical Jack fashion, he flippantly states, ‘Well, I guess that’s that. Would next Sunday afternoon work for you? I can pick you up at six.’”
“I wanna be Jack when I’m older,” I admit with a chuckle. “Though I do hope I’m not single at that age… Hell… I’d settle for being more like him now,” I admit when I recall how I’d almost botched my date with Vanessa. “Did you hear the way he was harassing me earlier?”
Rolling her beautiful hazel eyes, she swats a hand in the air between us. “Oh, please. He was just trying to get the show on the road.”
Two can play at this game. “So, that’s how it is?”
“Well, according to him, it was.” She shrugs. “He wished me luck tonight before he left but if you want to know the truth, I think he’s rooting for you, too.”
My shoulders raise on their own when I admit, “I guess I’ll take all the luck I can get. Though I have to admit the old man is right to some degree. I’ve been interested in you for a while now.” I’d rather Vanessa know my intent than to ever wonder.
Genuine shock fills her features. “Did ya now?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I tease, but honesty rings through my words. “Why else do you think I always ask random questions to keep you around each morning?”
She stares at me blankly.
Damn. She is cute—and apparently clueless.
I can see her wheels spinning out of control.
“Wait… you’re serious?”
I simply nod. What else can I say?
Blinking her confusion away, she quietly asks, “But why?”
“We’ve been over this,” I remind her as the waitress interrupts, asking if we need anything else. When both Vanessa and I shake our heads, I change the subject to something that will hopefully make her less uncomfortable. “Tell me about Julia. How old was she in that picture of the two of you at the beach?”
“Oh, that was taken when we went to Long Beach last summer. She just turned five last week and was the reason I was busy.”
“She’s adorable. She looks so much like you. I take it the guy in the picture is your brother, right? There’s definitely a family resemblance.”
Nodding, she agrees, “Yeah. That’s my baby brother—and yes, those seven minutes count.” She smirks adorably, then continues, “He’s been amazingly supportive of me since having Jules. He wasn’t supposed to attend CRU, but at the last minute, he changed his mind because he wanted to guarantee I wouldn’t be just another teenage statistic.”
“That’s a commitment. Just from what you’ve told me though, I’m not surprised. You seem close.”
“Yeah, we’ve lived in the same house since the womb, is our running joke.” She grins. “But I’m not complaining. Not many people would want to spend their college years living in family housing and helping me care for a toddler.”
The way she says it, I get the feeling Julia’s dad isn’t in the picture. I wonder where her parents are.
“I’m sure you’re right. But under your circumstances, I’m not surprised. I’d do the same if it were my sister and we went to school. Family is everything, and you gotta stick together.”
“You have no idea how true those words are.” She sighs almost to herself. Then she straightens her spine and lifts her chin as if she’s forcing herself to change gears with her thoughts. “But you asked about Julia… I’ll warn you… I’m pretty fond of her, and you may get sick of hearing about her if I start…”
Damn. This girl. She sure knows how to make me smile. “Sounds like the words of a proud mom. You have every right to talk about her… she’s a part of you, and I’d love to hear anything you’re willing to share.”
Sitting up, her hands fly in front of her face as she adoringly talks about Julia. “Well, she’s a spitfire—so be warned. She’s cute as a button one minute, but don’t let that fool you.” Vanessa shakes a finger in warning. “She’s filled with spunk and will always keep you on your toes. She’s smart as a whip—and I’m not just bragging. She just turned five, and she already can read a lot of basic books. She loves numbers and will question everything about how the world works. She’s strong-willed and won’t give up once she sets her mind to something. For instance, she insisted she learn to ride a big girl bike a month or so ago and wouldn’t stop until she was flying solo down the sidewalk.”
