“A date?” The woman’s voice was all smiles. “Of course it’s okay. Who is she?”
“Her name is Gracie. I’m sure you’ll like her.”
“I’m sure I will. If she has your attention then she must be nice.”
“I think she is. Although right now she’s looking at me like she’d like to beat me over the head with this phone. I think I’ve embarrassed her.”
Laughter from Thomas’s mother. “Then you’d better go make things right. Start by telling her how pretty she is. Your father still uses that line and it always works.”
Thomas looked me over. “That won’t be hard. She is pretty.”
“See you later, kiddo. Bring your appetite. There’ll be enough food to feed a stadium.”
“Bye, Mom.” Thomas was already pocketing his phone in triumph. “Well, you heard that, Gracie. You will be an honored guest.”
I wracked my brain for something to say.
He called me pretty.
The doorbell rang.
“That’s Frank,” Viktor announced.
“I’ll get it,” Thomas offered.
While Thomas was opening the door to greet a confused Frank, Viktor reached out and poked me in the side with the television remote control.
“You should go,” he whispered.
“I can’t,” I whispered back.
“Yes you can.” Viktor became serious. “Frank will be here so you have no need to worry about me.”
Frank Salenger strolled into the room with a wooden game box under his arm. He offered me a friendly hug and then promised to whip Viktor’s ass in checkers.
“You met Thomas at the door,” Viktor told his friend. “He and Gracie were just about to leave for an evening out.”
“Is that right?” Frank began setting up the checkerboard.
“The party doesn’t start for a little while,” Thomas said to me. “But we can leave now if you want.”
I wasn’t finished being stubborn. “I haven’t even agreed to go yet!”
“Oh.” Thomas frowned. He dropped his head for a second. The he looked up and flashed a smile that would melt the steeliest heart. “Gracie, will you please be my date tonight? My mother’s looking forward to meeting you.”
I couldn’t stop my mouth from twitching into a smile. “Thomas, she didn’t know I existed until two minutes ago.”
“So what? Now she’s all excited. I’m sure she’s already told my dad you’re going to be there. She’s probably already called my brothers too. Besides, you want to meet my Aunt Saylor, don’t you?”
He didn’t need to dangle the Saylor Gentry carrot in front of my nose. I was already softening. I was sliding off the sofa arm, glancing down at my outfit and realizing that I needed to change my clothes.
Because it was true that I’d entombed myself for far too long.
Because I felt all giddy inside after he’d called me pretty.
Because I already liked Thomas Gentry more than I had any rational reason to like a guy I scarcely knew.
I bit the corner of my lip. “Can you give me about twenty minutes to get ready?”
“Sure, take your time.” He took a seat beside Viktor because Frank had already claimed the armchair. “I don’t mind watching a game or two of checkers.”
“Okay. Well, help yourself to another glass of water if you want.”
When I reached the other side of the living room I looked over my shoulder and found Thomas’s eyes. He smiled at me, full of confidence and more charm than ought to be lawful.
Of course I’d said yes to him.
How could I not?
But after racing to my closet I discovered a slight problem. My wardrobe lacked variety. I owned plenty of jeans and tees lettered with pithy, sarcastic mottos. I also had work clothes and lounge pants. None of it was remotely sexy, or even particularly cute. The only option hung way in the back of the closet, untouched since the day I stored it back there. The spaghetti strap lavender dress had traveled with me by accident. I’d worn it the last time I played the violin at a country club event and had absently stuffed it into the backpack I’d taken with me before climbing onto the back of a motorcycle. Although I remember getting the dress dry cleaned shortly after moving into Viktor’s house, I’d never worn it again and couldn’t even explain why I’d kept it.
I touched the soft hem and steeled myself for a deluge of unwelcome memories. They did not come. It was just a pretty dress. The only one in my closet.
There was an explosion of male laughter from the living room. Thomas had a sense of humor on top of all his other assets. I was glad I hadn’t turned him down again. I would have sat here all alone and full of regret for the rest of the night.
A few short minutes later I’d tiptoed across the hall and was examining myself in the bathroom vanity mirror. The fit of the dress was tighter now than it used to be. The black cardigan sweater I’d pulled over it didn’t exactly match and the flip flops I’d shoved on my feet didn’t make the best fashion statement. At least I’d shaved my legs this morning. And I didn’t look bad, especially when I removed the elastic band from my hair, finger combed the dark, nearly black waves that fell softly past my shoulders and dabbed on the ancient remnants of makeup I still owned but rarely used. Then I took a step back and critiqued my reflection.
I looked like a girl ready for a fun night out. I looked happy.
Then my eyes fell on the right side of my neck, where the wisps of a bad decision crept into view. The tattoo was a mere two inches wide and sometimes I felt like it owned me. I rearranged my hair and managed to cover it completely.
The checkers tournament in the living room was in full swing. Viktor and Frank were appealing to Thomas about whether a particular move was legal and Thomas appeared to be giving the matter serious consideration. Ultimately he sided with Viktor, which brought both cheers and boos, while I hovered just beyond the sofa.
When I cleared my throat all eyes turned to me and the conversation stopped.
Thomas immediately stood and came to my side. He smiled down at me. “You look incredible.”
I felt the blush creep into my cheeks. “Thanks.”
“So much like Sonya,” Viktor said in a soft voice.
“You take care of that girl,” Frank ordered. “She’s special.”
Thomas brushed a hand across my back. “I promise I’ll treat her like gold.”
I never carried a purse. Typically I stuffed my necessities into an old canvas rucksack. But I had no pockets so the rucksack would have to do, no matter how clunky it looked. Thomas didn’t even blink when I slung it over one shoulder.
“Your medications are all laid out on the counter,” I told Viktor.
He waved me off. “Go have fun.” Then he returned to his checkerboard without a second glance.
“Should we go?” I said to Thomas.
“If you’re ready.”
“I’m ready.”
Pretty dress or not, I was unsure that was the truth. I’d come of age more concerned with scales and arpeggios than with boys. It took me a long time to choose one that I liked. And when I did I chose wrong. Very wrong.
Thomas Gentry was nothing like the villain who made me shudder whenever I noticed the tattoo on my neck. Maybe I was getting ahead of myself and we’d never have more than tonight’s casual date.