Page 47 of The Pass
“What is this?”
“Alternate date number one, of course.”
“Date number one was dinner, I take it?” she asks, taking a cheese puff from the bag between us.
“Isdinner. I said alternate, but I meant bonus date. The real one will be much classier. No plastic cups or food that comes from a bag. I did picture it a lot like this though. You in a dress, me looking sharp as always.”
“The smell of sweat in the air,” she says dreamily, holding a hand over her heart and then laughing.
“But it achieves the most important part of my first date—having you all to myself.”
“I know somewhere else you could achieve that.”
I ignore that obvious reference to sex for the sake of my dick who is looking for any reason to pop up and make it about him.
“What’s the best date you’ve ever been on?” I ask.
“Drinks at a little cafe in Italy.”
“Figures fucking Sebastian couldn’t even take you on a real date. Drinks is a bullshit excuse for a date.”
She rolls her eyes and pops another cheese puff in her mouth. “What’s the best date you’ve ever planned?”
“I haven’t.”
“I don’t understand. They couldn’t have all sucked.”
“I’ve never really been on a date like that. Not a real one where I asked a girl out and planned something specifically for her. You know how it is. You make plans with someone and you just sort of show up together at the same place. I’m not counting those.”
“What about Amelia? I thought you guys went to a couple concerts and what about the time you took her to the Diamondbacks game?”
“All her. She planned those or told me she wanted to do them and sent me links with dates and times.”
“She did the work.” As she takes a drink, she nods thoughtfully. Then, still holding the drink up to her mouth, says, “I think I finally figured out what all your ex’s have in common.”
“I’m almost afraid to ask.”
“They made it easy on you. They built a relationship and you were along for the ride.” That stings a little, but she places the cup on the bench and leans in. “I don’t blame you. Your schedule is nuts, and to fit into your life, any girl is going to have to be cool with that, but they each took control so that they never had to wait on you to make a move.”
“I’ve got moves.”
“Hello, ‘Mister I’ve never planned a date before’.”
“There might be a shred of truth to your theory, but that’s all the more reason I want to do it differently with you. I failed to act the first time around, but not now. I’ve got all sorts of plans.”
“All right. I give. Five dates. Real dates that you plan.”
“I’m sorry, did you just forfeit something? Where’s my best friend and what have you done with her?” I knock my knee against hers playfully.
“I don’t need them to know I want something more with you. That hasn’t changed. But I want to be good for you in a way those other girls weren’t. So, if you need this then you can have it. Clear your schedule after date five though.”
Vulnerable, honest, stripped down beyond the bubbly, competitive, fun girl is this other version of Sydney few get to see. She’s terrified of letting people down, afraid of failure and being hurt, but she’s also one of the bravest people I know and loyal as hell. When she sets her mind to something, there’s no stopping her. And she would fight to the death for anyone she cares about.
“You already are good for me.”
* * *
The next morning,Datson wakes up at an ungodly hour wanting to take the boat out one last time before he heads back to the farm.
