Part 12 (1/2)
”Hey, Annie,” he said, coming over to sit on the couch after they had kissed a million times. ”How's it going?”
”Pretty good,” I replied. ”Jen and I were just going over some of the final details for the benefit.”
He scrunched up his nose a little bit. ”Do I have to wear a suit to this thing?”
”Of course not,” I laughed. ”Wear whatever you want.”
Jen made a face behind his back that made me think I'd be seeing Matt in a suit no matter what. I hid a smile.
”So what are you guys up to tonight?” I asked, stretching my legs out against the floor. I'd had an early afternoon rehearsal so for once I had a free evening.
”I was gonna make some dinner,” Jen said. ”Then we were planning to stay in and watch a movie.”
”You in?” Matt asked me politely.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw his hand resting lightly on Jen's knee. Something about the casualness, the easiness, of that position made my heart ache a little. Suddenly I had no desire to be in the room with them for a second more.
”I don't think so,” I said. ”I really want to be off- book for rehearsal tomorrow. I think I'll just shut myself up in my room.”
”Are you sure?” Jen asked. ”You won't even eat with us?”
”Nah,” I said, wondering if I had ever once in my life turned down Jen's amazing cooking. ”Save me something?”
”Sure,” she said.
I caught her expression and noted that she seemed concerned for me. I shrugged it off and headed to my room. Once there, I lay down on my bed, throwing my hand over my eyes.
What was wrong with me? Since when did I feel jealous of my friends? I was revisited by that same emotion I had when watching Ginny and Josh the day Kiki told us about Vegas. It was strange and I wasn't sure that I liked it.
My mind wandered involuntarily to Nate. I had been missing him this week, in a way that scared me. It was so unlike me to spend so much time thinking about a guy. Then again, it was unlike me to spend so much time with any one guy.
Is that really a bad thing? I wondered. I mean, it wasn't like I wanted to marry him. Would it really be so bad to have a boyfriend? It didn't have to be any huge, serious deal. I thought back to his words our last night in Vegas. We have fun together. Why can't that fun continue in Detroit?
Well, why couldn't it? If he could be understanding about my need to rehea.r.s.e, and to spend time with my friends and Danny, why couldn't I see him sometimes?
That is, if he even wanted to see me. I had been pretty rude to him. Maybe he'd had enough of me. The thought made me feel strangely anxious. Nervous, almost. For some reason I couldn't quite place, I really did not like the idea of Nate being upset with me.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I grabbed my phone and found him in the contacts. While it rang, I held my breath.
”h.e.l.lo?” he finally said. I felt a rush of relief.
”Hi, Nate,” I stammered. ”It's uh...it's Annie.”
Hearing his voice had done nothing to help with my nerves. What was wrong with me?
”Hey, Annie,” he said. His voice wasn't cold, but it wasn't exactly warm, either. It sure didn't sound like he had been dying to hear from me. d.a.m.n. Maybe this had been a mistake.
”How have you been?” I asked.
”Pretty good,” he replied. ”Work's been busy. How about you? How's the play?”
”Really good,” I told him. ”I've been really bogged down with it.”
”But you're enjoying yourself?” he asked, and there was a definite edge to his voice now.
”It's a really good show,” I told him. ”I feel really lucky to be a part of it. I hope that you'll be able to come see it.”
”I'm sure I will,” he said, his voice softer now. ”So, what's up?”
”Well, I was wondering if you had plans on Friday,” I told him, crossing my fingers. ”I know it's short notice...”
”I was going to meet some friends for a drink after work,” he said, and my heart fell. ”But nothing's set in stone...”
”I have this benefit,” I said in a rush. ”For the theater. A fundraising kind of thing where we honor our donors. It will probably be pretty boring but I wondered if you might want to come with me.”
”Wow, you really know how to sell an event, Annie,” he said, and I noticed that the slight teasing tone I had become so familiar with was back in his voice. For some reason, it made me feel happy.
”Maybe I should rephrase,” I said, laughing a little. ”I'm going to this super glamorous, super exciting benefit on Friday and I just happen to have an extra ticket. There will be a ton of really interesting, very cool people there. Including the billionaire David Barker and his glamorous heiress daughter. If you play your cards right, I might just give that ticket to you.”
”Oh my G.o.d,” he breathed. ”Would you really?”
I laughed again, and was pleased to hear his own warm chuckle on the other end of the line.
”Well, now you've sold me,” he said. ”What time is this thrilling event?”
I told him the details. ”Want me to meet you there or pick you up?” he asked.
Hmm, meeting there was definitely the safest option. But if we went together maybe the night wouldn't have to end with the benefit. The thought of having Nate stay over sent a little thrill though me.
”Would you mind picking me up?” I asked casually. ”If it's not out of your way, that is.”
”Nope, you're directly on the way,” he replied. ”So I'll pick you up at seven?”
”Perfect,” I said, smiling broadly.
”I'm glad you called, Annie,” he said, his voice softer.
”I'm glad I did, too,” I admitted. ”And I'm glad you can come with me.”
”I'll see you in a few days,” he said.
After I hung up my phone, I stretched out on the bed, feeling much better about things.
I pulled out my script, deciding that I may as well do what I had told Jen and get my lines nailed down. As I opened to the first scene, I caught a whiff of the unmistakable smell of Jen's lasagna.
I cursed under my breath, really wis.h.i.+ng that I hadn't told her I wouldn't eat with them.