Page 103 of Is This for Real?
I look over to where Jake is fiddling with his iPhone. Jake looks up and gives a thumbs-up. Audrey comes and pulls me over to dance with her. “It’s Raining Men” is playing instead. To take my own advice and shake it off, I dance.
Zelda joins us. “I thought you guys were swing-dancing to the second song.”
“Callie’s boyfriend broke up with her.”
Zelda shakes her head.
“She was almost crying.” I smile at Zelda to reassure her that I’m not worried. Zelda doesn’t buy it.
“I’m going to do some reconnaissance,” Zelda says.
Jamie comes over and asks if I want to dance. I hesitate. I do feel awkward that I am preventing Audrey and Jake from dancing together. I’d rather be dancing with Rory. And not dancing with Jamie when Rory is with Callie. The optics aren’t good. But we are friends.
I dance two songs with Jamie, and then I excuse myself to find Rory, but Jamie says, “Can we talk for a minute?”
“Okay,” I say, warily. He steers us to a corner near the windows. The light from the streetlight shines in, like a fake moon.
“My mom is going to sell the store.”
I sit down in a nearby chair. “I was afraid of that.”
He pulls up a chair. He leans toward me to be heard over the music. “It’s just not doing well, and she has a really good offer from the guy next door.”
“What about Kareem?”
“Kareem’s been hired by a store focused on running. They were really impressed by your videos of him on Instagram, and they cold-called him. He’s going to bring his running group down there. Maybe you can keep your walking group going. And the guy next door will hire Brian.” Once I handed in my manuscript, I’d started a walking group, hoping that would help the store out. Five people joined, including Esther and a librarian. We mostly discuss books, so it’s more like an unofficial book club. I doubt it has resulted in many sports items sales.
“At least they’re taken care of. Is your mom really sad?”
“Yes,” Jamie nods.
“Me, too.” I feel bad. The store was Theresa’s dream of self-sufficiency after her divorce from Jamie’s dad. Her dream seemed more realistic than mine. It worked until now. I had hoped our efforts might save it.
Jamie pats my back awkwardly. “Where’s Rory?” Jamie is probably afraid I’m going to cry.
Rory joins us at that moment.
“Our song is next. You guys look very cozy,” Rory says.
Jamie stands quickly, knocking the chair over. “We’re just friends. Penelope has made that clear.”
Rory’s brow furrows, as if confused.
“I was just telling her that my mom is closing her store,” Jamie says.
“I’m sorry,” Rory says.
Jamie nods and leaves us.
“You’ve made it clear that you’re just friends?” Rory asks. “Was there an occasion recently that prompted that?”
“When Jamie came over to help me with my website, he said that he felt more for me.” I still think that’s a completely lame way to say it.
“So, I read the room wrong?” Rory asks. “Why didn’t you say anything when I said that’s when I knew you were over Jamie?”
“You read me correctly. I didn’t feel anything toward him. I said I was happy with you.”
“We weren’t even dating at that point,” Rory says.
