“Damn, she’s got you again, son,” his Dad comments.
“Dad,” Dylan says in a strained tone. His father gives me a little wink, and I instantly like him. “For all of it. I shouldn’t have done that.”
I shrug, and turn to see Tina looking over at me. I shake my head slightly at her. She appears to be ready to come over and rescue me. I don’t need rescuing. If anything, Dylan does. “Apology accepted. Have a nice night.”
“Please, don’t go,” Dylan begs. “Just hear me out.”
“I did. You said your piece, I accepted your apology and now I’m going back to my family.”
“You’re a damned fool if you let her go,” his Dad mumbles.
“Molly, please,” Dylan says again. Good, he remembers my name. “Please,” he says again, giving me a pleading gaze.
“Okay,” I say sassily, stepping closer to him. “What is it?”
“All I could think about yesterday was you.” I lift my brows, surprised. “I’d still like to take you out to dinner.” I smile, waiting for him to continue. “Anytime you want. Can I give you my number? Will you give me yours?”
I wait five heartbeats before I say anything. “I’d like that,” I say.
Dylan visibly lets out a sigh. He pulls his phone out of his pocket, unlocks it, then hands it to me. “Can I have your number?”
“You can.” I take it, and put my number in under Latte girl. He sees me put in that name, and chuckles. “There you go.”
“Do you want my number?” he asks, looking at my empty hands.
I shake my head. “If you want to take me to dinner, you can call me. I’m not chasing you.” I’ve never said anything so assertive to anyone in my entire life. It’s shocking, but so damn freeing too.
“Son, marry this one,” his father eagerly adds.
“Sorry, sir. I’m only eighteen, and marrying isn’t on the agenda for me.” I shock myself again. I’ve never considered marriage. Never really thought of spending my life with anyone, other than myself.
“I’m Harold Walker.” His Dad stands, and extends his hand. I take it, and smile. I really like him.
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Walker.”
“Pish posh. It’s Harold.”
“Well, it’s been a pleasure. I hope to hear from you soon, Dylan.”
“You will,” Dylan says to my retreating back.
“She’s a keeper,” I hear Harold say to Dylan.
I go back to my seat, and the conversation at the table instantly dies. Mom, Dad, and Tina are all staring at me.
Here we go.
“Who’s the young man?” Mom asks.
“Young man? He was drooling all over her. He could barely contain himself,” Dad says, definitely irritated.
“She met him yesterday at the mall,” Tina replies.
“Did you tell him we were coming here?” Dad asks.
“How could she tell him, when she had no idea we were coming?” Mom snaps at Dad.
“What happened?” Tina asks leaning in, but looks over to Dylan and Harold.
“Is everyone done speculating so I can actually tell you what happened?” I ask.
“He’s too old for you,” Dad says again. “How old is he?”
“I have no idea,” I answer truthfully. “But I met him yesterday when he accidently knocked into me. He asked me out for dinner, and when he found out my age, he freaked out.”
“How did he freak out?” Mom asks.
“Yeah, how?” Tina’s voice drops, as she turns to give Dylan the stink eye. “I think I’ll go have a word with him.”
“Tina,” I say sharply. “No, you won’t. Leave it alone.”
“No one hurts my little sister.”
“We’re the same age.” I shake my head. “Anyway, he said he was too old for me. So I left. I thought, no use in trying to change his mind. It was already set. But just then, as I was coming back from the rest room, he stopped me. Apologized,” I pause before adding, “a few times. And he asked me out again. I didn’t make it easy for him. His Dad told him I was a keeper.” I smile.
“He’s here with his father?” Mom asks. “That’s a good sign. Means he’s not a total loser.”
I laugh a little too loud then snort in error. I cover my mouth as I try to contain the laughter. “No, he’s not a loser. He’s a security analyst and works at Collins and Partners.”
“Oh, he’s just moved up on the shit list,” Dad says.
“He’s not a lawyer, Dad.”
“I meant he’s moved up in a good way. He has a decent job, and works for a good firm. I’m still not liking him yet.” Dad holds up a finger at me. “But I’m not as upset as I was. But I’d like to know how old he is.”
“Would it make you feel better if I go ask him?” I slide my chair back.
“No, not now. We’re here to celebrate,” Mom injects. “Oh, look, our dinner.” Four waiters bring all our dinners out at once, and place them in front of us in unison. Now that’s fancy.
My phone buzzes in my clutch. I reach for it, and see there’s a message. Sliding my phone unlock, it’s from Dylan. Love your shoes is all it says.
This makes me smile. Instead of replying, I put my phone away and enjoy dinner with my family.
I try not to look over toward Dylan as we enjoy dinner, but out of the corner of my eye, I notice he and Harold swap seats, so Dylan can watch me and I can watch him. I have to say, it’s cute and it makes my stomach flip flop with excitement.
Talk around the dinner table is about everything. Dad’s work as an aircraft mechanic, Mom’s a financial manager, even the college Tina is planning to attend. I’m glad I decided to take a gap year, because I don’t yet know what I want to do with my life.
Instead, I’ll work for a year, and see where that path takes me.
Our dinner is finished, and the plates are all taken away.
Mom reaches over and takes Dad hand. “Your father and I want you both to have the best birthday ever.”
“I already have,” I say.
“Well, we’d like to give you this.” Dad lets Mom’s hand go, and takes out two identical boxes. Both are black with a blue ribbon tied around them. Dad slides one over to me, and one to Tina.
Tina is already excitedly trying to tear off the ribbon. But I want to savor every moment.
She lifts the lid, and screams. I look over to her, and she holds up a car fob.
I open mine, and have the same car fob. They bought us a car to share. I look down at the box, overwhelmed with happiness. Our parents are always generous, but to get us a car…that’s amazing.
“Thank you,” I whisper as tears fall on the pristine tablecloth. I’m so moved by their kindness, and can only hope I’ll grow to be half-as-good a person as they are.
“Mom, Dad,” Tina says as she flies up to hug them.
I stand, and hug them too. “Thank you,” I say again.
“Thank you so much,” Tina says. We sit down, and Tina turns to me and says, “We’ll work out how to share.”
“Share?” Dad says. “Why would you share? We got you each a car.”