Part 25 (1/2)
”What about you, is he the guy that got away from you?”
”What do you mean?”
I mean would the two of you be together now if he hadn't died?
”Never mind,” I say out loud.
”Marcus, what is it?” she asks.
”How often is Reese on your mind?”
”We were friends.”
”That's not an answer.”
”I think about him once in awhile.”
”He kissed you.”
”That was a long time ago. Anyway, he's gone now.”
”I don't want to be the guy you settle for.”
”Seriously Marcus? I was the one who made the first move. Do you remember that? Do you remember your ex smas.h.i.+ng my head against the wall because I asked you out?”
”Maybe you and Reese were...closer than you and I are,” I reply, looking away from her.
She repositions herself so that she is right in front of me and there is no way to avoid eye contact with her. She places her hand on either side of my face.
”Marcus, you and I can't get any closer. You live in the s.p.a.ces between my breath, my heartbeat and my thoughts.”
”Are you sure no part of you wanted Reese?”
”I'm your girl. Nothing, nothing
will change that. Got it?”
”Yeah, I got it.”
”Good, now shut up and kiss me.”
I do as I'm told. Jay and Isabelle exit the shop and find us kissing. Jay clears his throat, loudly.
”Can we save the girl's life before you make out with her?” he asks.
”I think it's romantic,” Isabelle replies.
”Please, Marcus's romance game is weak compared to mine,” Jay insists.
”Oh, really?” she challenges.
”Yeah, if you behave, I'll show you what I mean.”
”Are you asking me out again?” she says.
”Maybe.”
”I'm sorry, I'm gonna need a solid yes or no.”
I like this girl...
Looking at Emmy, she too approves of Isabelle's hard stand with Jay.
”Okay, fine. I'm asking you. There. Happy?”
”Yeah, you're a real romantic, Jay,” Emmy mocks.
He ignores her and addresses Isabelle.
”So...what do you say?” he pushes.
”Yes, I will go out with you.”
”Yeah boy, I knew I was in there!” he shouts, as he takes her into his arms and lifts her up high in the air. Isabelle is completely caught off guard.
”Okay, but you have to meet my family. We're very close. And they have
to like you,” she tells him.
”Then you have to meet Siren, my car. And you best believe she has to approve of you,” Jay counters.
”Again, Jay it's not right to base your feelings on a car,” Emmy says, shaking her head.
”Well, it depends on the car. Is it a V6 or V8?” she asks him. Jay doesn't answer. He's too taken aback by her question.
”What's the difference?” Emmy asks.
”Simple: The V6 has six cylinders while the V8 has 8 cylinders. But while the V8 is stronger, it uses more far more gas. Now if you're talking about an SUV, well, that's different-”