by Melinda Metz
“I agree. So, go all the way. It’ll be fun. I can help you with the hair and makeup. I think you’d look killer with a Veronica Lake swoop and seriously red lipstick. I have the perfect color,” Ruby said.
“I don’t know . . .” Jamie said.
“Yes, you do. I can see the clothes-lust all over your face,” Ruby answered.
“But I’m not going on a real date. It’s just an act. Won’t it seem strange that I’m getting so dressed up?”
“I’m telling you, you’ll have every woman in the theater wishing they’d gone retro,” Ruby told her. “And you’ll look gorgeous.”
“You don’t think David will wonder why I put in so much effort?” Jamie asked.
“You’re forgetting, guys don’t analyze. At least not the secret meaning of a lipstick shade. David will think you look great, but he’s not going to be trying to decode your outfit.”
“I’m going to go try it on.”
“I’ll come. I want to try on the diner skirt,” Ruby said.
The shop’s two little dressing rooms were side by side, so they were able to continue talking as they changed. “Did you see that little girl’s dress with the fauns on it and the red tulle underskirt?” Ruby asked. “That’s such a Riley dress. Although I guess it would be even more Riley if it had ponies instead of fauns. I bet I could find the perfect material and make a pony version. But I don’t know how her mother would feel.”
“Maybe as a Christmas present?” Jamie suggested as she pulled off her pants. “Her mom probably wouldn’t mind you giving her a gift. Do you know her mother at all?”
“I know her by sight, but that’s it,” Ruby answered. “From Riley and Addison, I know she works two jobs. I should make a point of introducing myself, since Riley’s been spending time at my place. Addison knows where she is, but I need to make sure her mom is okay with it.”
“Yeah, but I’m sure she will be. You have lots of people in the complex who will vouch for you. Including me,” Jamie said. “Just don’t let her talk to Hud.”
“Hud’s loving his life right now,” Ruby commented. “He has a mission.”
“With the fountain as mission control,” Jamie agreed. She stepped into the skirt and zipped it. It fit perfectly, hitting her just below the knee. “I saw the guy who the Speedo belonged to picking them up. Maybe midforties. Balding. Little belly.”
“Brett Morris,” Ruby said. “He lives in the place with the moat. Good guy. Bad taste in swimwear. He’s going through a nasty divorce right now.”
“It looked like Hud was taking down his life story. He must have asked him questions for a solid hour,” Jamie said. She pulled on the top. It was form-fitting and made a good combo with the full skirt. She smoothed her hands over it, then turned and looked over her shoulder to see the outfit from the back.
“My skirt is just a little too short,” Ruby said. “How are you doing?”
“I’m getting both,” Jamie said. There was no way she could leave the store without them, now that she’d tried them on.
“Brava,” Ruby called.
Just as Jamie was replacing the skirt on the hanger, her cell buzzed. She opened the text and started to laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Ruby asked.
“David just texted me. He wants to know if I have tats, because he is unable to spend time with a woman who doesn’t care enough about her body to adorn it. He does say that if I don’t have any, but am willing to get a minimum of three in the near future, he might still consider going to the movies with me.” Jamie was laughing too hard to continue. She sucked in a few breaths, then managed to go on. “He very generously says that if he thinks we’re well suited, he might consider paying a portion of the cost of the tattoos, because he wants to make sure they’re quality.”
“And this was from David? David David?” Ruby demanded.
“He’s just messing around,” Jamie explained as she got dressed again. “I read him part of an e-mail from Marie’s dentist, the one David rescued me from. The guy had a whole list of requirements. There were some, like hair length, that he said we ‘could fix’.”
“Did you tell Marie that?”
“Uh-uh. I didn’t want to get into a conversation where she tried to convince me I was being too picky and that the dentist was some great catch. Right now, she thinks David and I are going out, and that’s the way I want to keep it,” Jamie said, as she stepped out of the dressing room.
“Don’t get mad,” Rudy said, joining her, “but what if, just what if, you and David have amazing chemistry and have an amazing time? Are you going to at least consider going out with him for real?”
Jamie groaned. “Please don’t turn into a Marie or a Helen. Please believe me when I say I want time to myself.”
“I believe you. And I get it. But there might not be someone as great as David around when you decide you have the rest of your life figured out. He’s special. It’s just something to think about,” Ruby added quickly.
“I have one year when the only thing I have to do is explore and try to figure out what I want my life to be like. One year. That’s special, too,” Jamie said.
* * *
When Diogee stopped to pee, David grabbed the chance to read the latest text message from Jamie. They’d been exchanging texts since he sent her the one about the tattoos that morning. Jamie said she’d like him to bring the last five years of his tax returns when he picked her up. She’d feel more secure if she knew he could pay his own way when they went out. He grinned, trying to decide what to answer. Maybe he’d tell her he’d need to see her driver’s license, because he believed the man should be at least ten years older than the woman he was dating and he’d need proof of her birthdate.
“David, hold up!”
Diogee gave a bellow of greeting as Zachary trotted across the street. David was pretty sure he was wearing a new shirt, but he didn’t comment on it. He didn’t want to make the kid self-conscious. “How’s it going?” he asked.
“I need Ruby to sneak something into Addison’s house again,” Zachary said. “At least, I’m pretty sure this is Addison’s.” He pulled a cheeta-print bra with racer straps out of the pocket of his jacket, then quickly jammed it back in. “It was on the doormat, just like the diary.”
Jamie’s cat is diabolical, David thought.
“You don’t really know it’s Addison’s, though, right? A lot of things have been turning up in strange places. Maybe you should just drop it off at the fountain,” David suggested.
“Squirrel,” Zachary said just in time for David to brace for the Shoulder Popper.
“Thanks,” David said. “We could swing by the fountain now.”
“If it is hers, wouldn’t she be embarrassed to have to pick it up there? People would see. And Hud would probably ask her a bunch of personal questions,” Zachary answered.
“If anyone can handle Hud, it’s Addison. I’d love to see her take him on.” Zachary didn’t look amused. “I can see why you think she wouldn’t want her underwear left out in public, though. Maybe you could tell her you found it on your doorstep and you thought maybe she’d know who it belonged to. You could stick it in a bag, so it wouldn’t be as awkward.”
“I guess,” Zachary said. “You don’t think she’ll be mad if it’s hers? She might not like that I’ve seen it.”
“It’s not that much different from a bathing suit top. You’ve seen Addison in a bathing suit,” David pointed out.
Zachary flushed. “Not lately. I haven’t gone to the pool that much lately.”
David got it. His growth spurt had probably left him feeling uncomfortable in his skin. He remembered that feeling. “I think she’ll be fine with it,” David told him. “But I could have Ruby say she found it and was trying to figure out whose it was if that would be better.”
“No, I’ll do it.” Zachary patted his pocket. “I’ll go over there now.” He turned and started down the street.
“Let me know how it goes,” David called
after him. His cell buzzed, and he grinned when he saw it was another text from Jamie. He checked the time on the phone. About three hours before he was supposed to pick her up. He realized his body had a buzz of anticipation that he hadn’t felt in a long time. This is just something convenient for both of us, he reminded himself. Sure, he was looking forward to tonight. Why wouldn’t he be? He was going to one of his favorite places with a woman who made him laugh.
Although he didn’t feel like laughing when she opened the door to greet him that night. He wasn’t expecting this. She looked amazing, wearing a shirt that clung to her curves, her hair falling around her shoulders in loose waves. It took him a second to realize he hadn’t actually said anything. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks. Thanks,” she repeated. “Ruby said that sometimes people wore vintage to the place you’re taking me.” She ran her hands down the sides of her skirt. She looked nervous.
“They do. You’re perfect.” He smiled. “Should we slowly walk past Al and Marie’s on our way to my car?”
She smiled back. “Of course. I wouldn’t mind Helen seeing us together, either. I don’t think she gives up any easier than Marie.” She stepped outside and locked the door.
“I realized my tax forms are in my other jacket. But I promise I can afford popcorn, as long as we can share a small,” he told her.
“I realized I left my tats on my other body,” Jamie answered. She took his hand as they started toward the sidewalk. “Is this okay? I’ve never had a fake boyfriend before.”
“Fine by me.” He gave her hand a light squeeze, and was hit by how long it had been since he’d touched someone. Yeah, he occasionally brushed hands with someone if he subbed in at the cash register at work, and he gave Lucy a quick hug now and then, but this was different. They were putting on a show, but it was still different.
Al gave an approving grunt as they passed by. He was watering his lawn the old-fashioned way, with a hose. “I think I saw the curtain twitch in the kitchen,” David whispered into Jamie’s ear. He caught a faint whiff of her perfume, something woodsy, maybe sandalwood with a little citrus mixed in.
“Even if Helen doesn’t see us, I’m sure Marie will pass the intel along,” Jamie answered softly. “When I moved in, it was like they’d both memorized my rental application.”
“You said you’d never seen a silent movie?” David asked as they walked toward the side street where he’d parked his car. The bad thing about Storybook Court was that none of the houses had garages.
“Just some clips on TV,” Jamie answered. “Chaplin. Buster Keaton.”
“It’s a whole different experience live,” David said. “When I first started going to the Silent Movie Theatre, the man who played the piano and organ, Bob Mitchell, was in his eighties. He’d actually accompanied some of the movies when they first came out. I loved watching him as much as the movies. He’d get so into it. He even dressed up to play for the Halloween screening of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligiari.”
“I wish I could have seen him,” Jamie answered. “I’ve been thinking about people and their jobs a lot lately, since I’m trying to figure out what I want to do. Can you see yourself still wanting to bake when you’re in your eighties?”
“I think so, yeah. I don’t think I’d want to be working full-time. But I bet I’ll still be coming up with recipes for family dinners or to bring to parties.”
They reached his Ford Focus, and he let go of Jamie’s hand and opened the door for her, realizing as he did that they’d kept holding hands even after they’d been out of sight of Helen and Marie. He hadn’t even thought about that until now.
“How’s the search going? Have you gotten any ideas about what you might want to do?” David asked as he pulled out onto Gower.
“Not yet, at least not for a career. But I found out I love surfing. One lesson and I was a goner. Ruby’s been encouraging me to try things I’ve never done. She thought I was making my search too narrow, and she was right. Now I’m all about the new, which is why it was so great you suggested the Silent Movie Theatre.”
“Maybe you’ll end up wanting to be an accompanist for silents,” David said. “A very practical career choice. Lots of room for growth.”
Jamie laughed. “I really do have to think about that practical stuff. But not right now. For now, I’m in the exploratory phase.”
“I admire that,” David told her. “It’s easy to get locked down and do the same things, go to the same places. I’ve been especially bad about that since . . . the last few years,” he said. He’d been about to say since Clarissa died, but he didn’t want to talk about Clarissa tonight, even though Jamie already knew he was a widower. “I hang out with Adam and Lucy, the friends I told you about who have been shoving me into online dating; I walk Diogee; I go to movies; I read. Then repeat.”
“Nothing wrong with liking what you like,” Jamie answered. “Do your friends have kids?”
“Yeah. Two. I’m the youngest one’s godfather,” David said.
“And you’ve been able to keep your friendship up?” she asked. “After my friends had kids, we sort of drifted apart.”
“Maybe it helps that my schedule is different. I’m free in the afternoons, and Adam, he’s a TV writer, and there are at least some times during the year when he’s off then, too,” David explained. “We take the kids to the park together. And a lot of times I do things with him and Lucy. It works somehow. I don’t end up feeling like a third wheel. Also, I think Lucy actually insists that Adam go out with me for drinks sometimes. She worries about me.”
That was something David wouldn’t have said if this was a real date. He’d be in that stage where all he wanted to show was the positive stuff. Which didn’t include being pathetic enough that his best friend’s wife worried about him.
“Worries about you?”
“Just about me being alone too much. After Clarissa died.” And here he was talking about her.
Jamie nodded. “I can’t even imagine losing someone like that. With a parent, you expect it. It’s horrible and heartbreaking, but your whole life you know it’s coming.”
“Yeah. Have you done any more searching to find out how Mac’s escaping?” David asked.
“Holy screeching subject change, Batman,” Jamie said. “If you don’t want to talk about her, I completely get it. But if you do, it’s all good. Sometimes talking about my mom makes me feel better, just talking about the little stuff.”
“Like what?” David asked.
Jamie tilted her head. “Mmm. How she thought I was perfect.” She laughed. “I guess that’s not a little thing. She wasn’t delusional or anything. She knew I wasn’t really perfect. But she was always on my side, even when I did stupid stuff.”
“She sounds great,” David said.
“She was,” Jamie answered. “Tell me something about your wife.”
“Clarissa listened to me. And she remembered little stuff I said. Like, I told her about a Christmas when I was about five. I got this Ghostbusters Proton Pack that I really, really wanted, then my brother broke it before I even played with it once. It wouldn’t even make the proton stream sound,” David said. “Years after I told her that story, I opened a Christmas present—and there was the proton pack. From the eighties. And it made the sound.”
“She sounds great,” Jamie said.
“She was.” Jamie’d been right. It had felt good to tell her that Clarissa story.
David found a parking spot near the theater. “Let’s get seats first. There are a couple couches near the front that are a lot more comfortable than the rest of the seats.” He led the way inside and down the aisle. “Great. There’s one open.” They sat down. “Now, I think I promised you a small popcorn. There’s a drinking fountain in the lobby, so drinks won’t be a problem.”
“I saw they had cupcakes at the concession,” Jamie said.
David shook his head. “No. My fake girlfriend can’t eat someone else’s cupcakes. I won’t have it. You wan
t cupcakes, I’ll make you cupcakes. How about if I try to win you some candy?”
“Win? How?” Jamie asked. “Maybe I can win some.”
“You have a good memory?” David asked.
“Pretty good,” she answered.
“Okay. To win you have to be able to name the star in each of the photos on the walls. I’ll coach you. Let’s start with the easy ones. You know Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Anyone else you recognize?”
“Uh, Louise Brooks, but just because of the hair,” Jamie said.
“Okay. Over there we have Fatty Arbuckle.” He ran through all the portraits again and again until Jamie could recite them. When the host for the night walked up to the stage and asked who wanted to accept the star challenge, David jumped up and pointed to Jamie.
“All right. You,” the man called to her. “Stand up and speak loud.”
Jamie stood, cleared her throat, then gave every single name correctly. The host tossed her an assortment of candies. “I call the Hot Tamales,” David told her.
“Hey, I’m the one who won them,” Jamie protested.
“Without me, you wouldn’t have had a chance,” he said.
“Fine. We’ll share.” She opened the box, took out one of the candies, and held it up to his lips. They locked eyes for a minute, and Jamie looked as surprised as he felt. She started to move her hand away, but he opened his mouth and she popped the candy in.
That hadn’t felt like a fake date move. It had felt real. And as sexy as hell.
* * *
“Mac, there is seriously something wrong with me,” Jamie told her cat. She was lying on the couch with her feet handing over the arm. Mac was sitting on her stomach, kneading her Minion-tee nightgown, which was too thin for kneading. His claws kept nicking her, but she didn’t try to stop him. She didn’t want him to jump down and leave. They were in the middle of a conversation.
“See, it was supposed to be a pretend date. Pretend. I made him hold hands with me, which was okay, because it was to convince Marie and Helen that the date was the real deal. But then I didn’t let go. It didn’t even occur to me to let go. He was probably wondering why I didn’t, but was too polite to pull away.”
