Page 22 of Damien
Shrugging, Vince states, “I just walked in the door.” To Sydney, he asks, “Well, isn’t this a nice surprise. I thought you were going for a run, but you look fresh from the shower.”
“I ran into Vanessa when she got home, and I used your shower so I wouldn’t smell like roadkill.” I could kiss Sydney for not throwing me under the bus.
He leans in and kisses her quickly. “You never smell like roadkill, Syd. I’m glad you’re here.”
When he pulls back, Sydney looks at something on her phone as he asks, “How was your day, Van?”
Oh… you know… eventful, I want to say but shrug it off. “It was just a day at work.”
God, I hate keeping things from my brother. But I’m not sure what I have to say would even be considered news just yet. Hell, I don’t even know if I’ll make it out the front door until I talk to Damien. So why waste time telling Vince about something that may never happen?
Syd interrupts my thoughts. “Hey, I have an idea. Let’s take Julia to the new Pixar movie that just came out. We can hit the early show and be home before bedtime.”
Vince turns to me. “What do you say? Wanna go?”
“I actually have plans with a friend.” The words slip off my tongue easier than I could’ve imagined. “Syd’s volunteered to hang with Jules tonight.”
“Well…” he draws out as he snuggles next to Sydney, “it’s settled.Youget a night out, andwe’regoing to the movies. Should I pick Jules up from daycare this afternoon so you can relax before you go?”
“Thanks, Vin, I’d love that.” I smile in appreciation. God, I love my brother—even if I do feel guilty for not being forthcoming with my plans. It’ll be nice to have some “me” time before heading out.
Now that my nerves have slightly settled, I glance at the clock and realize there’s plenty of time to get to class. “I’ve gotta run to class.”
On my walk to campus, I dig out the card I’ve practically memorized from my purse to ensure I don’t send a message to the wrong person. Knowing there’s a good chance of chickening out if I don’t just type the necessary message, I quickly tap out the basics.
Me: Hi, this is Vanessa Larson.
Before I finish sending him my address, I receive a text.
I quickly press send before reading his response.
Damien: Hope the rest of your morning went well. Off to class?
Me: Yes. Walking there now. Still conquering the world?
Damien: One day at a time… Do you have many classes today?
Me: Only two. I’m done at four.
Damien: If I got off early, would you be opposed to starting our date early?
Crap. I’m not sure when the movie starts.
Pulling up the app, relief hits when it shows the movie starts at six. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of time.
Of course, Damien mistakes my delay in response as denial.
Damien: Or not. We can stick to seven. No pressure.
Could he be sweeter?
My fingers fly across my keyboard.
The thought of seeing him sooner both thrills and scares the hell out of me. I’m so out of practice with dating, I just hope I don’t make a fool of myself. But somehow, I manage to throw out a calm and collected response even if I feel anything but.
Me: Just let me know when you’re on your way, so I can be ready.
Damien: Will do. My schedule is light today, so it might be closer to six than seven.
