Page 55 of Fostering Chemistry
"Well, now you’ll get to go,” he said. "I know you and Diego will enjoy the food."
That thought gave me pause. The gift certificate did belong to both of us, so I guess that meant it would be me and Diego going together? I hadn't thought that far ahead. Yes, I’d just vowed to accept him for who he was now, not who he was at the party, but the two of us together at a fancy Italian restaurant? That was a big leap from running around campus in costumes.
“If he takes you there next week, you’ll have two incredible dinners,” Aaron continued.
Huh?
He smiled at my confusion. “My grandparents’ anniversary. Say what you will about my big, loud family, but they know all the best caterers.”
Caterers? I didn’t think I’d ever been to a catered event. Did his family also have butlers and chauffeurs and all that? I had no idea what I’d wear around people that rich, but Tori had promised she’d help me find the perfect dress.
It was time to change the subject, and I turned to Cody.
"How did it go with Susan?"
"Suzanne," Aaron corrected. He had a good memory.
"She got first chair," Cody said,
"That’s great,” I said. Cody must be a good accompanist, or I doubted her tryout would’ve gone that well. "When do I get to hear you play piano?"
Cody shrugged noncommittally, not wasting any more words than necessary as he dragged the rake across the grass.
Aaron laughed. "Maybe when you try out for orchestra." He surveyed the huge pile of leaves and tilted his head at Cody. "Want us to get some trash bags?"
Again, Cody shrugged, and he took another drink of water.
Aaron was still eyeing the huge pile of dry, brittle leaves. "Did you guys ever jump in leaf piles when you were kids?"
"I did once. I got in trouble for it,” I admitted.
Aaron grinned. "Me too."
Cody just shook his head as if we were both crazy.
"Think we'd get in trouble if we did it now?" Aaron had a gleam in his eyes.
"Yes," Cody said flatly.
I didn't blame him. It was obvious he'd spent a long time working on this. However, I had to admit it was tempting. Today seemed to be my day for acting like a little kid—running across campus, riding on Diego's shoulders, climbing trees.
Jumping in a leaf pile seemed to fit right in.
Aaron's eyes met mine.
"Don't," Cody warned.
"We'll rake it back into a pile afterwards, and we'll even bag it up for you." Aaron looked over at me and I nodded in assent.
Cody leaned on the rake and gave us a withering look, as if we were acting like children—which was exactly the point. We walked to the other side of the yard, and Aaron waved Cody out of the way. "You're in the landing zone."
Sighing, Cody walked a few feet off. Aaron grinned at me and took my hand.
"You ready?"
"Yes."
He counted to three. We ran.
