Page 72 of What I'm Looking For

“You don’t sound sure.”

I grab his hand and squeeze. “Yes. If I have to go, I’d rather you be there.”

He shrugs. “Then I’ll go.” Like he’s really okay with it. He points a finger at me. “But I have to be back Sunday morning to help Deb and Pam. They throw a huge barbeque every Fourth of July weekend. It’s a big deal to them.”

“Even better.” My faux casual tone probably doesn’t cover my relief and excitement at the prospect of having not just a date for a family wedding, but a date that I actually care about. “Gives us an excuse to escape right after the wedding. Are you sure? Because I should probably call a travel agent and buy the tickets first thing tomorrow.”

He hesitates for a moment, but then says, “Yes. I’m sure. Let’s do it.”

“Okay, it’s your funeral,” I joke, and then dial my parents’ number before either of us can change our minds.

Chapter19

BEEP. Monday, 5:15 p.m.

Hi, it’s Kate. Hope your first day as a movie star went well! Just letting you know I got plane tickets for the wedding. They were super cheap so don’t worry. We leave Friday morning and get back Sunday morning before eleven. Hope that’s okay. Bye!

WILL

The first day on set felt like a week of days. When I get home all I want to do is go to bed. But I need some healthy calories in my body, so I make a quick egg scramble.

Deb appears in the kitchen doorway while I’m listening to my messages. “You’re going to a wedding with her?”

Ignoring her, I take my dinner into the living room. Pam is half-asleep on the couch, and Letterman is on with the volume turned low. “What are you guys doing up?”

Deb pushes me onto the couch, probably so she can feel like she’s towering over me. “Will. Going to a wedding with a girl means something.”

I sit back, putting my feet on the coffee table. “I thought you’d be happy about this. I’ll be back in time for the party.” I fork up a big bite.

“I am happy that you are dating again. And I like Kate. A lot. We both do, right, Pam? Pam!”

Pam flinches. “Uh, yeah.” Her voice is scratchy. “I thought we stayed up to ask Will about the movie?”

“Yes, but then he dropped the bombshell that he’s not going to be here the day before our party because he’s going to a wedding with Kate! Aren’t you concerned?”

Pam doesn’t answer right away. When I look over, she blinks in slo-mo. “Yes?”

“You guys didn’t have to wait up.”

Deb points at my plate. “Do you want me to make you some toast to go with that?”

“Nah, that’s okay. I need some decent food.” I calculate the amount of junk food I ate over the course of the day. “Craft service tables are evil. Candy and soda just begging you to inhale them so you’ll stay alert.” I stare at the TV, half my brain taking in Dave’s top ten list. “It’s weirdly exhausting to sit around waiting all day.”

Deb grabs my arm, stopping my fork halfway to my mouth. “Listen. I just want to make sure you know what you’re doing. You go to a wedding with a girl? You. Are. Dating. No questions. You might as well have said the ‘L’ word. And I don’t mean lesbian.” She pokes Pam, who has fallen asleep. “Pam, this is important. I need your support here.”

Her eyes closed, she mumbles at the ceiling. “Okay. But can this go faster? I have an eight o’clock call tomorrow that involves operating heavy machinery.”

“It’s just?…” I put down the fork and rub my eyes, the nervous energy that had been keeping me going all day rapidly draining away. “She looked so...beatenlistening to her mom on her answering machine. Which is so unlike her. Kate’s a fighter. She doesn’t think she is, but it’s amazing how she deals with all the assholes at work. But one phone call from her mom, and she’s a mess.” I sigh. “I wanted to make it better.”

I shove another forkful of food into my mouth. “Plus, I like weddings,” I say with my mouth full.

Deb pilfers a spear of broccoli. “All right, it’s your funeral.”

“Funny. That’s what she said.” I swat her hand away when she goes in for a slice of pepper. “Hey, hands off.”

She sits back with a huff, somehow snatching the pepper and popping it into her mouth before I can stop her. “Okay, Pammie. We can go to bed now. I’ve done my best here.”

Pam sits up, blinking blearily. “But what about the movie?”

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