Page 40 of All Wrong
They walked toward the well-lit outbuildings. The pathways were illuminated with soft lights at ground level, making it easy to find the way. In the reflective light of the screen, she saw families with young children letting out pent-up energy on the playground. In the shadows of buildings and trees, teens were clustered in groups of twos and threes, sometimes more. She remembered doing the same thing when she was that age.
Unsurprisingly, a line had already formed in front of the ladies’ room.
“This might take a few minutes,” she said apologetically. “I can meet you back at the car.”
“I don’t mind waiting,” he said amicably. “Besides, I’m not sure I can find my way back.”
She laughed softly, not believing that for a moment. “Fair enough. Don’t wander too far, and I’ll find you.”
Corinne joined the queue of waiting women. Moms holding little ones. Young girls out with their friends. Others, like her, simply out with another. It was comfortable. Familiar.
Nice. Safe.
So what if it is?she thought irritably as she shuffled forward a step at a time. There was nothing wrong with that. She was having a good time, and she thought Brett was too.
It wasn’t the same thrill she’d felt while riding on the back of Nick’s bike, but so what? After a certain age, life wasn’t about thrills, was it? It was about finding someone you enjoyed spending time with. Someone compatible, who liked doing the same things you did and had similar interests. It was about being responsible and practical and readjusting priorities to think as much about tomorrow as today.
Like Lacie had. Like Brian had. Like everyone else she knew had.
No, not everyone, she corrected. Images of intense, light eyes came to mind. Of well-worn boots and black leather and a powerful, rumbling Harley. A warm, tingling sensation started in her core and radiated outward.
Not so nice. Not so safe. Unpredictable. Thrilling.
She gave herself a mental shake. Brett and Nick were two very different people with very different personalities, and it was as unfair to compare the two of them as it was to compare herself to Candace with the crimson tips.
And it wasn’t right to be thinking of Nick whenshe was out with Brett even if it was more of a friendly vibe between them than a romantic one. She hadn’t thought of Brett once when she was with Nick, had she?
Besides, she had to be realistic. Fantasies aside, she and Nick were all wrong for each other.
When she finally emerged from the ladies’ restroom with an empty bladder and clean hands, Corinne stood outside and looked into the darkness. It took a few minutes for her eyes to adjust from the brightness of the facility’s interior. The lights were dimming again in preparation for the next feature.
She didn’t see Brett, so she walked around the restroom building, then around the food and drink stands, now thinning as streams of people headed back to their vehicles. She was about to make a second pass when Brett appeared from the direction where she’d seen the teens hanging out.
“Getting to know the kids?” she asked.
“Figured I’d introduce myself,” Brett said with a shrug.
“You’re a brave man, Mr. Buckman,” she said with a wry smile. “Most adults keep their distance from that crew, especially when they’re in packs like that.”
He grinned back at her. “They’re all right. I met some of them at The Zone earlier.”
“The Zone, huh? Let me guess. Lacie mentioned I volunteered there and subtly suggested it might be something you’d be interested in as well.”
Lacie never missed an opportunity to get other teachers involved, whether it be providing tutoring or sharing hobbies and skills and interests, and if she could extol Corinne’s virtues at the same time—two birds, one stone.
He laughed softly. “That’s exactly how it happened. Are you psychic or something?”
“No, but I know my sister. No one sees it coming. She’s like a ninja that way.”
“She’s got a big heart.”
“The biggest,” Corinne agreed. Her smile faded.
“Hey, what just happened?” Brett asked, his voice laced with concern.
“Nothing, it’s just …” How could she explain this without sounding pathetic? “Lacie does have a big heart, and she wants everyone to be as happy as she is.”
He was quiet for a moment, then nodded in understanding. “You think I’m only here because of Lacie.”
