Kissing Is the Easy Part

Chapter 26 The sushi and the grilled eels

"Seriously, Flora, I think you did drop out of the sky." This nightmare was becoming more vivid by the minute. "If anyone needs a play in order to see the difference between now and then, perhaps that person should just drop history altogether."

"Think about it! Open your mind, Sean."

"Hmmm...maybe we can even fall in love in the end and you decide that you're throwing everything away just to stay with me, and we can happily feed ourselves on soup-stew and rye bread for the rest of our lives," I put in sarcastically.

Flora's hazel eyes shone. "Yeah! Like in that Meg Ryan film." She nodded wildly. "We have to add this part."

I felt like banging my head on the history textbook. "I just can't win with you, can I?"

***

As time went on I had to admit Flora's idea wasn't all bad. She gave me a decent plot and it was educational as well as entertaining, and although I didn't want to boost her ego any further, I couldn't keep the smile off my face when she tossed me lines from her play.

I had forgotten how fun it was when we were not enemies. It was better than fun. It was addictive.

When we were done for the day, it almost felt too soon. I offered to do the typing and Flora didn't fight over the privilege. She collected her things and turned to me suddenly with a bright smile on her face. "Hey, I'm hungry. Do you want to have dinner together?"

"Sure," I agreed without thinking. "If you're not doing anything later."

As soon as the words were out I regretted it. I knew I wanted to spend more time alone with her, but that was pushing it a bit far. We already survived an afternoon together without tearing each other's eyes out, and I really should quit while I was ahead.

"Great! I'm starved," she said. "And no, I told you I have nothing else planned."

"You look really dressed-up, that's all."

She smiled. "I really just threw these on. Come on, let's go."

We walked together to the parking lot, neither of us speaking. I knew this was a huge step between us, an almost-date to me and just food to her, and I had no idea how to act. I told myself it was no big deal, as if having casual dinner with my ex-girlfriend was something I did regularly.

I held the door open for her. "Where do you want to go?"

"I'm dying for some raw dead fish," she told me. "I want to go to that new Japanese restaurant near the park."

"Sure." I started the car and stared straight ahead, but I was well-aware of Flora sitting on the passenger side. It was awkward. I thought I was annoyed with her on Sunday, but now I bounced right back to being mildly attracted to her. I shouldn't nurture this attraction. Her perfume gnawed at me, and crammed inside my car with her was enough to send me in a claustrophobic attack.

Up until this afternoon, the conversations we shared were usually strained, if not outright hostile, that I had forgotten how to socialize properly. Luckily Flora was chatty enough for both of us.

"How's Linda adapting to high school life?"

"Pretty good, I guess," I said. "She doesn't tell me anything but she seems really giddy these days."

Flora nodded. "That's because she has a boyfriend now."

"Already?"

"Yes. What can I say? You can't fight true love. That's her words, by the way."

"Who is it?"

"His name is Ray." Oh God I hate him already. "Ray Sandler, I think. He's in her English class. Pretty cute for a freshman, but nothing that screams true love."