“Are you free next Friday night? Or will you be hanging out with Alexis?” asked David.
Her lips quivered. Maybe David enjoyed their reconnection as much as she did. Clearing her throat, Claire tried her best to sound casual. “Alexis will be with friends from the minute she gets her braces off on Friday. Basically, she’ll only be with me to sleep. She’s been talking nonstop about who she plans on showing her teeth off to first.”
David chuckled. “I’m sure she’ll do exactly that.” Another pause. “Anyways…” His voice trailed off. Claire’s heartbeat rang in her ears. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, David continued, “I wanted to see if you’d be interested in going on a date with me.”
A shot of adrenaline zinged down Claire’s back. Sweat smeared across her forehead. She tried her best to sound flirty when she said, “I could maybe pencil you in.”
“Could you pencil me in for six?” asked David. “I— I thought I could take you to Grover Beach. They let you drive right onto the sand, and we could eat and roast marshmallows in a fire pit.”
“I love Grover Beach.” Claire sighed as a wave of childhood memories ran through her.
“I love it too, but does that work?” asked David.
“It sure does.” Claire smiled to herself. “It’s a date.”
* * *
Claire cranked up the music in the car, letting the smooth, silky sounds filter out the inch gap of her lowered windows. Smiling, in a sing song voice, Claire said, “Only one more hour of having those braces on.”
Glancing over from her cell phone, Alexis laughed. “I thought I was the only one counting it down.”
“Nope,” replied Claire. Her fingers tapped to the beat of the music. “I’m excited to see your beautiful smile too.”
“I think you’re more excited to see David again.” Alexis gave her a once over then wagged a finger up and down the length of her body. “I noticed you have on a brand-new dress, and I know you spent ten extra minutes this morning applying your make up.”
Claire tugged on the top of her floral summer dress. “This old thing.” Jutting up her chin, she continued, “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“If by old, you mean, yanking off the tags before you put it on a few hours ago,” replied Alexis. “Then I guess that’s old.”
Claire chuckled. “You caught me.” She glanced ahead at the upcoming curve in the road. One side was the picture-perfect Pacific Ocean, the other side was carved out mountain.
“I applaud you at your effort.” Alexis peered over at her. “I think you look fantastic. It’s going to make David regret ever letting you go.”
“I— I—” Claire stammered. Then she shrugged. “I don’t know what’s going to happen this weekend. Probably nothing life altering, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t the tad bit optimistic.”
“I’m hopeful too.” Alexis changed the station on the radio. “Like I’ve been saying all along…” She kept flipping through the stations, clearly looking for a song she found more appealing. “You and David need to get married so we can move back to Pismo Beach.”
Her back straightened and shoulders stiffened, Claire stammered, “I— I didn’t say anything about us getting married.” Claire fanned her flushed face. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up. David and I have only been talking to each other. Nothing more. This could be dragged out for years. Or he could meet someone in Pismo tomorrow and then this…” she threw up an exaggerated hand. “Whatever it is will fizzle out.”
“But he asked you out on a date. And you look like a knockout.” Alexis finally landed on a radio station she liked and leaned her head back against the headrest. “By the end of this weekend everything will be figured out. I know it. I can feel it in my bones.” Casually, Alexis stared out the passenger side window, tapping along to the steady beat of the song’s melody.
Claire heard no sound, only the thundering of her heart. Her and David getting married? Ridiculous. “No…” Claire started to argue.
“Shh.” Alexis reached out, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. “No more talking, this is my favorite song.” Then Alexis reached forward and cranked up the volume.
With a sigh, Claire listened to the song, ending the conversation. An hour later, they pulled into the parking lot of David’s orthodontist office.
Alexis unbuckled her seatbelt. “Juliet and her mom are coming at the end of my appointment to see the big reveal of me without braces,” said Alexis with enthusiasm. “Then they’re taking me to meet up with some other friends. I only plan on being at the house to sleep. So, you are free to hang out nonstop with David. I’ll be busy.”
“You know I don’t mind having you, right?” asked Claire.
As difficult as it was navigating the emotional rollercoaster of a teenager, Claire was grateful to have Alexis. If it had been only her, alone during these past months, it would’ve been unbearable. In a way, the two sisters were saving each other.
“I know.” Alexis opened her door and climbed out. “But let’s be honest we both could use a break from one another.”
“Alexis,” said Claire. “I don’t feel that way…” Her words were cut off from the slamming of the car door.
Claire watched as Alexis skipped across the parking lot to the front door and entered.