Page 54 of Never Not Friends

It has been a very pleasant night.

I should probably go out with him again.

But I won’t.

I have a hard time going on second or third dates.

My heart just isn’t in it.

“It’s this house up here on the right.” I point to my parents’ house, feeling like I should explain why I still live at home. “I don’t actually live with my parents. I’m in the apartment above the garage.”

“Oh, cool.” Dillan nods. “I hope they give you a good deal.”

I lift my lips, shooting him a half-hearted smile in response.

Dillan pulls over in front of my mailbox, and that’s when I notice Vinny’s car parked in Juliet’s driveway. My heart falls a little at the sight.

A good reminder of why I’m doing this.

Dillan’s car door opens, pulling me back to my date. I climb out of the car just as he comes around to my side.

“I would’ve opened the door for you,” he says with that same pleasant smile he’s had all evening.

It’s a nice smile, but it’s missing something. Maybe, like, a dimple. My eyes search Dillan’s face, willing his smile to produce that type of indented crease that Vinny has, but it’s no use. His smile is regular.

He steps to the side to give me room to lead the way. “At least let me walk you to the door.”

“You don’t have to do that.” I gesture to the garage. “I actually go through the fence gate. It’s weird.”

“Then I’ll walk you to the fence.”

He’s relentless.

I start to walk with Dillan following close behind. He says something about going to Freestone Park on our next date and fishing, but I’m over here trying to figure out how to get rid of him without seeming rude.

“Yeah, that would be fun.” I turn to face him, stopping us only a few feet from where we started.

“Do you have a fishing pole already?”

“Uh…”—I glance at the garage even though it’s shut—“my dad probably has a fishing pole somewhere.”

“Great. I’ll text you, and we’ll fish.”

“Sounds fun.” I force a smile, even though nothing about fishing sounds fun to me. “Thanks for dinner.” We do the obligatory hug, say goodbye, and then I start walking up the driveway again. Once I’m at the fence gate, I glance over my shoulder.

Dillan’s already in his car, pulling away.

“That was painful to watch.”

I whip to the side just as Vinny and Juliet step under the floodlights by her mom’s garage.

My shoulders drop with a heavy sigh. “You scared me.”

Juliet laughs. “Your doorstep scene scared me. He liked you, but you weren’t giving him anything.” Her phone dings, and she glances down to read her text. “It’s my mom. She can’t find the remote.” She kisses Vinny on the cheek. “I better go. Text me when you get home.” She waves across to me. “You better text me too. I want to hear all about your date.”

Vinny watches as she runs back inside, then he turns to me with a smile. And standing under the garage lights, it’s like a spotlight illuminates his dimple. And I’m reminded why I love that physical feature so much.

“Who was that guy?” He casually walks toward me, leaving me wishing he weren’t so nonchalant about seeing me with another man. Could he be chalant for once?