Page 120 of Small Town Swoo
Every single one of them looked at me like I was nuts.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Eddie.
“In the movies,” I mansplained, “not every love story has a happy ending.”
Collective eye roll beneath shark hoods.
“Movies aren’treal, Dash,” said Alaska, flicking my shoulder. “They’re written by people like my mother.”
“And produced by people like my aunt.”
“You’re an actor. You should know that.”
“We’re not talking about a fake love story in a movie,” insisted Scribble. “We’re talking about a real love story.Yours.”
“You get to write it. Start to finish.”
“And produce it.”
“You can even star in it!”
“Give her one that’s better than any movie, Dash,” said Pinky. “Make her dreams come true.”
“What does she want?” asked Eddie.
“I don’t know.” Agitated, I ran a hand through my hair. “You guys are moving too fast.”
“You know her,” said Pinky with quiet intensity. “Think about it. What does she really want more than anything?”
I thought back to things she’d said. “She wants to take care of the people she loves. She wants to make people happy.”
“What does sheneed?” asked Plum.
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do. Don’t be a jerk.”
I stared at her and realized Ididhave the answer. “She needs someone to put her first.”
“See?” Alaska flicked my shoulder again.
“So just tell her you love her and figure out how to be the one that puts her first,” said Pinky, with an air of finality and a regal wave of her fin in the air. “Problem solved. Who wants cake?”
TWENTY-THREE
ari
On Thursday evening,I let Veronica talk me into meeting her for a glass of wine at Lush. She was already at the bar when I arrived, and she slid off her stool to hug me. “Hey. Howareyou?”
“I’m okay.” I hugged her back and sat on the stool next to hers. “Sorry I missed dance class this week. Monday was Mabel’s last night in town, and we had dinner together.”
She waved a hand. “Oh, goodness. Don’t worry about that. How’s your dad?”
“He’s okay. He had the bypass yesterday and he’s recovering nicely. I think he’ll be able to go home in about a week.”
“I’m so glad to hear it.”
The bartender came over and I ordered my usual pinot noir. When it arrived, I took a big sip.
