16. Dani
Despite how much he drives me absolutely crazy, I can only imagine how Noah’s feeling.
Seeing the sheer panic in his eyes not knowing what’s going to happen to Lizzie makes fear grow inside me like weeds.
He’s hurting, even if it’s not obvious to people who haven’t gone through losing a parent.
I can feel everything he’s feeling, like a sponge soaking up water.
“Are you okay? I know this isn’t easy. You know, not knowing what’s going to happen to her and everything.”
He swallows, his Adam’s apple sinking low and bouncing itself back into place. He breathes out like there’s a chill in the air. “I hate not knowing if my sister’s going to be okay. I-I mean shit happens we can’t predict all the time.” His voice is shaky and his eyes have a glassy sheen to them. “But, this is different. This is my family.”
I turn to face him. “Noah.”
That’s all that comes out of my mouth.
His name.
A name I couldn’t stand to hear when I was younger. I don’t mind hearing his name come out of my mouth anymore.
We’re both looking deep into each other’s eyes.
He has tears streaming down the smooth skin on his face. “Let’s go,” he says.
He shifts the gear into reverse and wipes away the remnants of the tears that are falling out of his eyes.
Why does my heart feel like it’s breaking?
We pull up to Marina’s Diner.
One thing that sets Marina’s apart from other diners is that it overlooks the ocean. The sun has set and the sky is dark.
Looking out of the window, I see a cluster of stars and smile.
Marina’s interior is full of retro teals and greenery with a jukebox leaning against the wall near the entrance.
It feels like I took a time machine back to the ‘60s and ‘70s.
“Why did you want to sit in this specific booth?” Noah wonders.
“My dad and I used to sit here when we came for burger Wednesdays after he’d picked me up from middle school. Sitting here feels like he’s actually here with us. With me.”
“Do you miss him?” he asks, looking everywhere else, but at me.
“Why are you asking me that?”
“I’m just trying to make conversation.”
“Can we talk about something else, please?”
“I’ve never seen a father love his child like the way that Jacob loved you,” he blurts out. “Your dad lit up every room he was in. Just like mine did. God, those two were unstoppable together. And honestly annoying sometimes. I remember when the Sunset Cove University stingrays made it to the finals when we were in our freshman year of high school.” He pauses for a brief moment. “Basketball lingo.”
I can’t help but stare at him.
“When they won, our dads screamed so fucking loud that we got a noise complaint from the neighbors. Do you remember that?”
“Uh-huh.”
My eyes aren’t glassy anymore. Tears are streaming out of them now. Burying my face in my arm, I try to control myself because I’m aware we’re in public.
A smile begins to form on his face, but we get interrupted before either of us can say anything else to each other.
“Dani Solomon, is that you?” A familiar voice asks, walking over to us.
“Hi, Marina.”
Marina is in her mid-sixties. She has long, dark brunette hair cascading down her back, with emerald green eyes.
The diner has been in her family for generations. It all started with her grandmother. She’s been running the place since I was a kid.
“I haven’t seen you in a long time, kiddo.”
“I know. College and writing has been keeping me busy.”
“How’s the book coming along?”
“Pretty good. I’ve been having the worst writer’s block today, though.”
Noah’s eyes light up as he watches me talk to Marina.
She turns to him. “Ah, if isn’t the troublemaker himself. I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. How are you holding up?”
“I honestly don’t know how to answer that question,” he says.
“Death is a fickle thing. I remember when I lost my mom. I had no idea what I was going to do without her. I knew she wanted me to run this place when I got old enough. It was terrifying because, by the time I took over, she was gone. I didn’t have any idea what I was doing.” She pauses. “The people who say time heals all are a bunch of liars because it’s not the whole truth. It doesn’t take time to heal an open wound. All it takes is you believing in yourself that you can make it through whatever life decides to throw in your face.”
“You sound like my mom,” Noah says.
“She’s right.” Her face lights up as she smiles at us. “I’ve held you two up long enough. What can I get for you?”
Noah gestures to me with his hand. “Ladies first.”
Why is he being nice to me? This is freaking me out.
I turn my gaze away from Noah, directing it towards Marina. “The usual. I mean, if you remember.”
“Oh, honey, I remember,” Marina says. “What about you, Noah?”
He looks at me and looks up at Marina. “I’ll have what she’s having.”
“I don’t know if you want to do that.”
“I’ll risk it,” he blurts out.
“Okay, suit yourself.”
“God, I remember when you two were babies. Now, you’re old enough to have babies,” Marina blurts out.
“Marina!” I raise my voice.
“What? Lots of young people are getting pregnant early these days. You guys would make good looking babies.”
I bury my face in my face to allow the redness in my cheeks to subside.
“Oh, I’m just kidding. I’ll go put your orders in,” Marina says as she walks to the touchscreen to input our orders.
“She’s right, you know.” He pauses. “We’d make beautiful babies.” He breaks out into this laugh that shoots straight into my bones.
My hands make their way underneath my chin as my eyes meet Noah’s. “Shut up.” I shake my head, giggling.
He chuckles. “Hey, what’s up with the writer’s block? Maybe I can help.”
I laugh so hard I start to choke. “Y-you want to h-help me?”
“People tell me I can be helpful.”
“What people? Your mom?”
I look at him and he meets my gaze, goosebumps are prickling all over my arms.
“Hey, I’ll have you know my mom thinks I’m one of the most helpful people ever.” He leans back against the back of the booth, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Right,” I say with sass pouring out of my voice. “I doubt you’ll be able to help me, but let’s give it a shot.”
“When did it start?”
“Today. That’s why I left the house. I went to the bookstore to see if I could get an inkling of inspiration. Instead, I ran into Violet which distracted me even more than I already was.”
His eyes grow wide. “You ran into Violet? As in Violet Prescott?”
I nod. “I’m honestly surprised I haven’t run into her until now. Sunset Cove is a pretty small town.” I pause. “She told me she’s been keeping in contact with you all these years to get updates on Grayson.”
He nods. “Yeah, she has.”
“You know he’s going to kill you when he finds out, right?”
“You mean if.”
“No, I mean when. This is a pretty big secret to keep from your best friend, Noah.”