Page 38 of Love and Other Chances

JASON

Someone change the subject please

Jason’s latest text comes through as I’m catching up, and I take it upon myself to jump in and save this conversation.

Idea! Let’s dress up as each other! I can draw names for everyone like a Secret Santa, then we can try to guess who is who

BROOKS

Best idea ever

SARAH

Oh Ilove that

WILL

Deal

I smile, congratulating myself on an excellent idea. Also, since I’m in charge, I can make extra certain that Brooks and I do not get each other’s names.

I arrive at Joy and Caleb’s house, dressed up as Will. My borrowed khaki pants and dress shirt scream “tech guy” to me, even though I have no idea if this is how he actually dresses for work.

We have a riot of a time laughing at each other’s outfits and guessing identities. Natalie nailed her impersonation of me with a dress, matching hair bow, and color-coordinated nail polish. Brooks has on an apron and carries around a tray of cookies the entire evening, a perfect Sarah depiction. Will makes a big fuss about tech guy stereotypes, but everyone instantly guesses who I’m dressed as.

When the night is wrapping up, I’m talking with Catherine, Candace, and Sarah in the foyer. “Hey, Sarah, I have a request. Next Wednesday is my birthday, so would you pleeease bring a batch of those oatmeal chocolate chip cookies to small group? Pretty pretty please?”

Sarah’s face brightens, and she says, “Oh yeah, I kno—”

Her statement is cut off by Catherine falling into a loud coughing fit, and I notice Candace giving Sarah an evil eye.Weird.

“I know you love those cookies!” Sarah says, cheeks red. “I promise I’ll bring some.”

I hear Brooks’ voice approaching, and I’d like to avoid any further conversation with him. I think I’ve done a fine job tonight of acting like my normal, energetic self. I could win an Academy Award in the “Don’t Let Anyone Know Your True Feelings” category. But let’s not push the limits.

“See you Sunday!” I say, heading outside to my car. I notice Brooks on the sidewalk, watching me drive away.

Physical distance might be my only weapon until I figure out how to handle him.

Chapter fifteen

CATHERINE

Hey, would you want to grab a super quick dinner tonight before small group for your birthday? I could pick you up at like 5:45 after I get off work?

Ahh, that would be so fun! I’d love to! I’ll send you my address

I smile to myself, excited about a birthday dinner.

I love my birthday. I’m one of those annoying, over-the-top people who wants the whole day to be a giant party. Even the whole week, if I could pull it off. My mom always went overboard celebrating when we were growing up, and college was the perfect atmosphere for celebrations.

But ever since I graduated, I haven’t done anything major for my birthday. One year, it fell on a weekend, so I was able to go back to KC and hang out with Amaya. As an Arrow staff member, I’m typically the person planning the fun for students, so it felt weird trying to plan something to celebrate myself.

Of course, I have gushing messages from Amaya, Lana, and my family today. But the prospect of dinner with a friend and then cookies with my small group has me giddy all day.Maybe they’ll even sing “Happy Birthday” to me tonight!

Catherine pulls up to my duplex at 5:45 on the dot. I practically float down the steps to her, bubbling with excitement.

“Thanks for doing this! It’s going to be great!” I tell her as I buckle my seatbelt.

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