Page 39 of Take a Chance on Me

“It’s read him the riot act,” Piper says from the table.

Belle flicks a manicured hand. “Whatever. Did you tell him to get lost?”

“I wanted to, and I tried, but then he looked at me with those puppy dog eyes, and I… I told him I’d think about it.”

The girls groan in unison.

“Katie, I thought we discussed this,” Charlie says, grabbing a drink from the fridge. “You cannot take the slimeball back. Especially when he comes crawling over here on his wedding day, for goodness sake.”

“Plus, aren’t you seeing Derek now?” Piper asks.

I cross to the table and sink down in a free chair. “I know, but the words just wouldn’t come. I’m not going to date him again though. I promise.”

“But you’re going to have to tell him that,” Hannah says. “Believe me, not only is he a guy which means he needs the literal words, but he’s also a nine which means he’s stubborn and you have to be forceful and exact.

I drop my head into my hands. “I know, and I should have, but I wasn’t expecting him to show up. I thought when Derek couldn’t go to the wedding that it would be fine. They would get married and forget about me and life would go on. How was I supposed to know he’d walk out on his wedding and show up here?”

“You couldn’t have,” Belle says, placing a hand on my shoulder in an effort to be supportive, “but you could have told him about Derek. That would have shown him.”

I lift my head. “I know. I should have, but I still don’t know exactly what Derek and I are. We’ve kissed a few times, but that’s it. We haven’t discussed what that means or a future together.” I glance at my watch. “He hasn’t even bothered to call me and tell me how the audition went.” It hits me that that’s what I’m really upset about. It’s almost eight o’clock at night. His audition should be over, yet he hasn’t texted or called. Two weeks ago, I wanted nothing to do with the man, and now I’m upset he hasn’t called.

“Now you’re just being a negative ninny,” Belle says, sitting in another chair.

“It’s Nancy,” Piper says.

“Who’s Nancy?” Belle asks. “We aren’t talking about anyone named Nancy.”

“No, it’s…” Piper shakes her head, realizing there are just some things you don’t bother explaining to Belle. “Never mind.”

“Anyway, my grandma always said that anything worth getting is worth going after. You should just call Derek and find out how the audition went. Maybe he hasn’t called because it hasn’t ended yet.”

“I don’t know. How could it be going this long? The audition was three hours ago.”

“Did he tell you how long it might take?” Charlie asks.

I shake my head as I think back over the conversations we had about the audition. He didn’t seem to know much other than when and where to show up. “No, I’m not sure he knew.”

“Well, then I’m sure you’re worrying for nothing,” Charlie says. “When you talk to him, it will all work itself out, but until then I say we need to get out of here. It’s Valentine’s Day after all, and it’s quite depressing that none of us have dates.”

“I’m not sure I feel like going out.” In fact, I feel like grabbing ice cream and curling up alone with a good book while I pretend not to obsessively check my phone every few minutes.

She checks her watch and smiles. “Unfortunately for you. There are four more hours until your challenge ends, so I’m afraid you’re going to have to consult the magic eight ball.”

A frustrated groan spills from my lips. When this day is over, I may just throw that toy out the window and then run it over. “Fine.” I walk into the living room and pick it up from the coffee table where it’s been sitting. “Should we go out tonight?”

I turn the ball over and smile when ‘Don’t count on it’ appears in the screen. “Hah, I win this one.”

“Aw, come one, Katie. It won’t be as much fun without you.” Belle give me another puppy dog look. I’ve got to find some way to steel myself against these puppy dog stares. They are going to be my downfall.

“Fine,” I say with a sigh, “but don’t blame me if I’m not good company.”

She claps her hands and bounces on her toes looking a little like a cheerleader who’s been told to cheer quietly.

As we head out the door, Piper stops and points at something near the end of our drive. “What is that?”

We all move closer, and I realize it’s flowers. Or was. They look like they’ve been run over. “I guess someone’s Valentine’s Day didn’t end very well,” I say, moving what’s left of them with my toe.

“Who would waste such a pretty bouquet?” Belle says sadly. She actually looks pained by the destroyed flowers.

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