Read Like This And Like That Online

Authors: Nia Stephens

Like This And Like That (10 page)

Chapter 6
Lost in Translation
“I
cannot believe you fell into a fountain.” Maria doubled over with laughter. “Well, okay, I believe it, but I wish I didn't.”
Gemma had called Maria to come over the minute she got home from her date with Dan. She was beginning to regret the call.
“Did he see you puckering up like fish?” Maria asked.
“I don't think so,” Gemma said thankfully. She sat slumped at her computer desk. Maria's hysteria wasn't helping. Usually Maria could joke Gemma out of anything, but this was just too humiliating.
“Even after all that, there was no payoff for your pain?” Maria said, nearly choking on her laughter. “Oh, that's priceless.”
LeBron wandered over to Gemma and plopped himself down by her bare feet and nuzzled them with his wet nose. Using her toes, Gemma scratched LeBron's head. Pleased with the attention, LeBron began licking her ankles.
“At least you're getting kisses from LeBron,” Maria teased, getting up onto Gemma's bed.
“Remind me again why I called you over here?” Gemma said.
“I'm telling you, something is not right,” Maria declared. “I really think he may be gay.”
“You're wrong,” Gemma insisted. “Besides, I said I was tired of getting mauled by my dates. Dan is just taking it slow.”
“Can the guy be any slower?”
“You're the one who said I should go for a different kind of guy.”
“Not that different,” Maria muttered.
“So you're saying Dan is gay because
why
? Because he didn't kiss me?” Gemma demanded. She was getting tired of this.
“Not just that. He's all artsy and stuff. He loves foreign films, he's into fashion, and his style is impeccable.”
“Ohhh,” Gemma said, standing and crossing her arms over her chest. “So you're saying he's gay because of all those stereotypes you listed? It's called having class.”
“If you say so,” Maria said.
 
“Dad, this is Dan,” Gemma said when Dan came to pick her up for the movies a few days later.
She had asked Dan to pick her up at her house, explaining that her parents wanted to meet him. In actuality, it had been the other way around. She wanted to get the parent ordeal over with quickly. She was beginning to really like Dan, in spite of Maria's insinuations.
The only downfall of the plan was that her dad had an irritating inability to hold his tongue and usually said exactly what was on his mind. No matter how embarrassing to her—or her dates. Luckily, with Dan's impeccable manners and understated style, Gemma wasn't that concerned.
Dan shook her dad's hand. “Pleasure to meet you, sir.” As usual, his voice was calm and confident. His dreads were pulled back and he had on a pair of loose jeans and a snug black T-shirt. Not the muscle shirt some meatheads liked to sport, but a fitted style that made it obvious that he took excellent care of himself.
Mr. Williams's eyes darted up and down, giving Dan the once-over.
Here it comes
. Gemma closed her eyes and braced herself.
Nice knowing ya, Dan
, she thought.
“What, are you sleeping over there?” she heard her father ask. Gemma's eyes flicked open and she discovered Dan and her dad were staring at her.
“Uh, I had something in my eye,” Gemma said.
Mr. Williams slapped Dan on the back. “Sorry, son, but it's not a good sign when your date falls asleep on you before getting out the front door.”
That was it? That was her father's comment?
Dr. Williams walked into the room and introduced herself. Dan shook her hand and then turned to Gemma.
“You ready?”
Still slightly shocked that she had gotten off that easy, Gemma nodded and they walked out the door.
Wow. No warnings. No threats. No embarrassing jokes. No interrogation. Either they were stunned into speechlessness, or Maria was full of it.
During the first half of the movie Gemma pretended to be interested. Dan had warned her that the movie wasn't dubbed into English because that took away from the experience. Initially that was okay by Gemma
.
She hadn't planned on concentrating on the movie anyway. A kiss in a dimly lit movie theater was her goal. The movie was about some kung fu master that had been betrayed and murdered by his protégé. The master ends up coming back from the dead and taking revenge. Actually, it would have been pretty cool if Gemma had not had other things on her mind.
The second half of the movie, she couldn't pay attention to anything happening on the screen. Dan had put his arm around her and even squeezed her shoulder a couple of times during the action scenes. During a funny part in the movie, he slapped her leg, and the last time he even squeezed her knee.
Then came the love scene. When the reincarnated master passionately kissed the mistress of his enemy, Dan's arm found its way around Gemma again, but this time he pulled her closer so that their shoulders touched.
Gemma bet that if she turned her head a mere thirty degrees she would be in line to peck him softly on the cheek. In her mind, Gemma saw Dan picking up on the hint and turning his head ever so slightly to meet her gaze and then POW!—a kiss.
But as she began to get her nerve up, she remembered the museum fiasco. Even though there was nothing for her to fall into here, the damage was done, and she didn't think she could handle any more embarrassment.
As quickly as she chickened out, Gemma felt suddenly bold again. She was so aware of Dan, his nearness. She leaned a little closer. Yes. She was going to go for it. And was it her imagination, or was he leaning slightly toward her, too?
Staring intently at his profile, Gemma barely noticed the image on the screen changing. But were those the credits? That would mean the movie was over, and the lights would—
Suddenly the movie theater lights flicked on and Gemma's glossed lips were just inches from Dan's cheek. Quickly, she pulled herself away.
“Great movie, huh?” Dan said, standing and stretching.
Gemma nodded, relieved that she had moved away in time. But seriously, how many more false starts could she take?
When she got home that night she almost dreaded the postdate call she always made to Maria. She knew exactly what Maria would say. That Gemma was a total fool and that Dan was gay.
“Let me meet this guy so I can see for myself,” Maria said, totally surprising Gemma. “I've been ragging on him and I haven't even taken a look for myself. I guess I should give him a chance, right?”
“Yes,” Gemma said. “Right!” There was her real best friend! Gemma felt a million times better. She sat up straighter at her desk and realized she could take care of two problems at once.
“I'm going to ask him to the beach party,” she declared.
“Great idea!” Maria said.
“Yup,” Gemma said. “This way I can get both you and my mom off my case!”
Chapter 7
Advanced Impressionism
T
he beach party was in full swing. Everyone from J. Marshall was there, including a few of the pathetic alumni that had graduated last year but could not bring themselves to move on. Down by the surf, Gemma saw her lab buddy, Seth Cole, and a girl she didn't recognize.
“My, my, my,” Maria said. “Did you happen to see Angela and Ethan? What happened to Kirk Collins?” She nudged Gemma's arm.
“What are you two gossiping about now?” Manny, Maria's boyfriend, asked.
“Oh, nothing. We're just talking about how
mucho guapo
you are,” Maria said, playfully kissing his neck.
Manny rolled his eyes and stood up. “I'll be back. Anyone want a beer or soda?” The girls shook their heads. He turned to Gemma. “Oh, and let me know when your gay, I mean guy, comes.”
Maria's eyes popped. She smacked the back of Manny's leg as he walked off. “Big mouth,” she yelled to his back. Then even louder she hollered, “I said he
might
be gay!” This got the attention of a few of the kids nearby, who all cracked up.
Maria turned back to Gemma and covered her mouth. “Sorry,” she said from behind her fingers with an apologetic look.
“Oh, please.” Gemma sighed. “We've been friends forever. I already know your mouth is bigger than the Grand Canyon.”
Gemma spotted Dan heading toward them. “Ooooh, there he is,” she told Maria.
“Where?”
“Right there. Walking toward us.”
Maria craned her neck trying to get a glimpse of Dan. “Omigod, girl. You are kidding. You didn't tell me he was built like a football player. No wait, I stand corrected. He's built like three football players. Wow. That guy is so not gay.”
Gemma twisted around to see who her friend was talking about, because it didn't sound like Dan. “Not him,” she said. “The guy
behind
the guy you're salivating over. And don't you have a boyfriend?”
“A girl can look,” Maria quipped.
“Hi,” Dan said when he walked up to them. “I didn't realize there would be so many people out here. I was worried I wouldn't find you.”
Gemma stood and gave him a hug. He wrapped his arms around her waist and squeezed her. Then he gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Getting a little closer,” Maria commented under her breath as she slowly stood up.
Keeping her eyes focused on Dan, and with a grin on her face, Gemma kicked Maria's shin.
“Ow!” Maria exclaimed.
“Oh, are you all right?” Gemma asked, pretending to be concerned. Before Maria could answer she said, “Dan, this is Maria—my best friend.”
“Hey, Maria,” Dan said. “Nice to meet you.”
Gemma watched Maria check out Dan. He was dressed a little more casually in a pair of khaki shorts and a white button-down top. He wore a shell necklace that complemented his outfit flawlessly. Gemma couldn't tell from Maria's expression what sort of impression Dan was making. She started to regret she had invited Dan to the party. Maria was totally unpredictable.
“Have a seat,” Maria offered. Both Dan and Gemma sat down on the blanket.
“So, Dan,” Maria said. “You look nice. Most guys I know can barely dress themselves, much less match. Especially for a beach party.”
“My mom always calls this annual event the ‘beach shindig,'” Gemma interjected, trying to get Maria off the subject of Dan's outfit. Making fun of her mom would be much more comfortable territory.
“Is that shirt Tommy?” Maria asked.
“Yeah, it is,” Dan replied.
“Nice.” Maria looked down at his feet. “Wow, and it matches your sandals perfectly. Did you do that on purpose?”
Gemma winced.
Why hadn't she seen this coming?
“I pay attention to style,” Dan said. He grinned at Gemma. “When you're dating someone as good-looking as Gemma, you have to keep yourself up.”
Gemma smirked at Maria. Score one for Dan.
Maria shifted on the beach towel. “Did you enjoy the movie? Gemma told me you took her to something with subtitles.”
“I love foreign films,” Dan said. “American movies are so crass. Even the action films have a level of artistry you can only find in a foreign film.” He turned to Gemma. “Don't you agree?”
“Definitely,” Gemma said, nodding. “Very artistic.” Too bad she had missed most of what was happening on screen because she'd been so focused on what
wasn't
happening off-screen.
“Have you seen any?” Dan asked Maria.
Maria shook her head. “Can't say that I have. Though Gemma and I just watched
Crocodile Dundee
on cable the other day.” Now she smiled at Gemma, her eyes gleaming wickedly. “That was very entertaining. Don't you agree?”
Before Maria had a chance to embarrass her any more, Gemma popped up, spraying everyone with sand. “Sorry,” she said. “Dan, why don't we take a walk down the beach? It's so gorgeous this time of night.”
“Sounds nice,” Dan said. He stood much more gracefully than Gemma had, and took her hand. As they headed off, Gemma glanced back and saw that Manny had rejoined Maria, who was chattering a mile a minute. Gemma knew it was all about Dan, but she had no idea what Maria had decided about him.
“Your friend is a little ...” Dan's voice trailed off.
“Yeah, I know,” Gemma replied, even though she wasn't really sure how Dan was going to describe Maria. She had a feeling it wasn't going to be completely positive.
“Have you been friends a long time?” Dan asked. “The two of you seem so different.”
“Do we?” She was surprised that Dan would think that. Yes, she was a lot shyer around guys than Maria, but most of the time she felt right in synch. It was Dan she felt was different. But maybe she was different around
him
. Was that good or bad? It's not like she wasn't herself around him. It was more that she was a less familiar version of herself.
They passed the beach volleyball game, and Gemma noticed Ethan was about to serve. “Hey, Williams,” he called. “Come on over and get in the game. We need an actual athlete over here.”
She glanced up at Dan. “Do you want to play?”
Dan frowned down at his outfit. “I'm not really dressed for it. When you said beach party, I thought more of barbecue on the beach, and sitting, listening to the surf.”
“No problem,” Gemma said, though she felt a little disappointed. The game looked fun.
“Tell you what,” Dan said, taking her hand. “For our next date we'll do something more sporty. In fact, I have a great idea.”
“Yes?” Gemma asked, thrilled that he was already planning their next date.
“Let's go downtown to that indoor skating rink.”
Gemma stared at him. “
Ice
-skating?”
“Unless you don't want to,” Dan said.
“It's not that. I-I have to check with my parents first.”
A strange series of chimes went off. Dan pulled his cell out of his pocket and glanced at the number. “Oh, sorry, I really have to take this.”
“Sure thing,” Gemma said.
“Thanks,” Dan said. “Yes?” he said into the phone. “What do you mean there's something wrong with the frames? But the auction is next week. I made those especially for this exhibit!”
Gemma watched his expression go from surprised, to angry, to resigned as he listened to the caller. “Let me come down and take a look. I'd rather not have to start from scratch at this late date. Right. See you in a few.” He clicked off and looked apologetically at Gemma.
“I'm so sorry,” he said. “But I have to get to the gallery. There's a problem with the frames and the show is coming up.”
“Go ahead,” Gemma said. “I know it's important to you.”
“Wanna come with me?” Dan asked.
“No, that's okay. I'll stay here. I can get a ride with Maria and Manny.”
“If you're sure.”
Gemma nodded. “Go.”
He gave her a quick hug and a peck on the cheek and took off. “Call me and let me know about skating,” he called over his shoulder.
Gemma watched him head back to the parking lot, shaking her head.
So
, she thought, turning back toward the volleyball game,
I can go ice-skating with a guy who walks along a moonlit beach and never once makes a move, who will probably never get along with my best friend,
but
who is seriously fine, seems to like me, and is pretty fascinating. Or I can end this all right now.
 
 
SHOULD GEMMA GIVE DAN YET ANOTHER CHANCE? IF YOU THINK SO,
turn to page 119.
SHOULD GEMMA SAY, “ENOUGH ALREADY”? IF SO,
turn to page 127.

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