Page 57 of The List
There. That got a flash of respect. Or something, anyway. I saw it in both their eyes just now, and it felt damn good. Missy signals the sommelier behind the table and holds out her glass. “Do you have any chardonnay with more oaky undertones? This one’s too flat for me.”
The guy raises an eyebrow, but doesn’t say anything. Just pours from another bottle as Lisa turns away to signal the conversation is over. I catch the guy’s eye and give him a sympathetic smile.
“So, this Simon,” Missy says. “He’s some sort of repairman?”
“He’s a little more than that,” I say with a hoity note in my voice, even though I’m not entirely sure what his job title is. “He troubleshoots all kinds of computer problems and also works the retail side of things.”
“I see,” says Lisa. “So, is this just a sex thing, then?”
“I don’t know, Lisa.” I frown, annoyed to realize I’ve just taken the bait. “Yes. No. I don’t know.”
“So, you do like him!” Missy’s look is triumphant. She rarely gets me to admit to anything, so this is a big deal. “I mean as more than just a casual thing.”
“Look, I’m not sure, okay? I’m not going to start planning a wedding or anything if that’s what you mean.”
Lisa smiles and sidles up close to me. She puts an arm around me, and for a second it feels like we’re the sort of close siblings I always wished we were.
“You don’t have to marry him, silly,” Lisa says. “Not right away, anyhow. It’s just nice to see you crushing on someone.”
“Right,” Missy agrees. “Someone who thinks you’re fabulous enough to take on a luxury trip to Ponderosa Resort.”
“Exactly!” Lisa smiles. “Gary’s never taken me to Ponderosa Resort.”
Maybe it’s the wine. Maybe it’s the fact that my sisters are being weirdly nice to me, at least in their own snobby way. Maybe it’s the fact that I might be ready to admit it. Yes, I really do want to date Simon. Not just the sex stuff.
And I think he might feel the same. I hope he does, anyway. He could have taken anyone on that trip to Ponderosa Resort, but he chose to go with me. He could have skipped the uncomfortable items on the list like the snow sex, but he didn’t. He could have whipped through The List in a matter of days, but he’s taken his time. He’s gotten to know me— not just my turn-ons, but how I like my coffee and what I love about my job.
You don’t do that if you just want sex, right?
“Yeah,” I concede, taking a small sip of my own wine. I realize I’m smiling, and I’m not sure when that happened. “I’m into him. More than I have been with anyone for a while.”
My sisters titter and exchange a knowing smile.
“I thought so!” Missy bites triumphantly into a crudité.
“Do you have any photos of him?” Lisa asks.
I start to pull out my phone, but Missy waves me aside. “Let’s wait. Our pedicure appointment is in thirty minutes, and I want to grab coffee before we go.”
“Come on.” Lisa grabs my hand. “Let’s get our stuff from the coat-check guy.”
We get bundled up in rain gear and gloves. The weather’s chilly outside, but it’s not raining at the moment. That makes it a rare day on the Oregon coast. I zip up my kelly-green raincoat and head down the boardwalk with my sisters flanking me in their designer rain gear.
“Brooks texted,” Missy says as she links her arm through mine. “He says to tell everyone hi.”
“Hi, Brooks,” Lisa choruses with a little eye roll that makes me like her more. “Gary’s giving me space this weekend. He knows it’s a girls’ weekend.”
“Hmph,” says Missy, clearly unsure who just won the competition. She turns to me. “How about you, Cassie?”
“What about me?”
“Have you heard from your boyfriend?”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I remind them, feeling my cheeks warm up just a little. I blame it on the wind.
“Oh, please,” Lisa says. “A guy doesn’t take you to Ponderosa Resort and a romantic trip to the mountains for no reason.”
The List. The List was his reason. Or was it? I bite back the urge to tell them the whole stupid story. To get their take on what’s happening between us. My sisters have always been experts on relationships and dating in ways I could never fathom.
