Chapter 21 Jamison
Jamison
“Dude, why are we here?” I walk reluctantly next to Ronan, my eyes wandering to the rows of stores on either side of us.
“Because you have your first official date with Claire tomorrow, and I’ll be damned if you wear work boots and your “going out t-shirt” to a fucking nightclub," Ronan answers.
He had Mikey open the restaurant today when he heard about the party. Being that Zeke also warned me about wearing my work boots to Neon Nights, he was okay with me taking the morning to hit the mall — something I thought I would never do.
“I just can’t believe I let you take me shopping.”
Another way Ronan and I are total opposites.
When I was younger, I got used to having a few shirts and a pair of shoes to my name, and once I started making my own money, I didn’t feel the need to broaden my wardrobe.
Ro, who used to not care at all about his appearance, was the opposite.
He used clothes as a way to give the middle finger to everything that happened so to speak, and take on a new identity.
Now, you’d never know it, but hidden beneath his apron are Levi’s in all different shades.
And on the rare occasion that he isn’t throwing pizzas, he’s usually sporting crisp new crewneck tees and clean high-top Converse.
On the other hand, being that I go out like once a month, I can usually get by with a black t-shirt and one of my two pairs of jeans — which was my plan for tomorrow — until Ro found out. Now he is adamant that the occasion calls for something better.
“It’s a party, man. At a club. You need something you haven’t owned since your twenty-first, and I need to know my best friend is lookin’ his best.”
He’s probably right. I haven’t been anywhere worth dressing up for in a very long time. Let alone with a girl I wouldn’t hate to impress.
“Alright, first stop.” We’re standing outside of the Vans store. “I know you’re not a Converse guy, so this is a close second.” They’re practically the same thing, but as I look around, he’s kinda right. Despite being very similar, I think I can get on board with Vans a little more.
I pick out a pair of black low tops with a matching black sole, much like the one I wear on the inside.
Near the register, I see a shirt I don’t particularly hate.
Okay, so it is a black t-shirt but unlike my usual, there is a pocket in the upper left corner with their slogan Off The Wall written in teal.
Adding it to my shoes, I kill two birds with one stone.
I show Ro the shirt as we exit the store.
“Alright, so more like a pivot than a complete one-eighty, but not bad. Now, jeans.”
He is multiple strides away from me when he realizes I’ve stopped walking with him.
He turns back and gives me a what-the-hell look, but my legs have stopped working because I’m staring at Claire.
At this point I should just expect to see her everywhere I go — even outside of Maple Grove apparently.
Did this happen before we met too? Is it possible that we've been in the same place even before this week?
Ronan looks toward my view and then raises his brows at me. Sucking my teeth, I nod as if to say, “Yep. That’s her,” and he closes the gap between us.
“Which one?”
Claire and the same girl that she first came to Monroe’s with, are standing in line for Auntie Anne’s pretzels.
Both girls are holding several bags from stores I’ve never even heard of.
Claire is wearing a pair of cut-off shorts and a tank top, reminiscent of the first day we met.
Her friend is in bike shorts and an oversized graphic tee that I can’t quite see from here.
The blonde must say something funny because Claire throws her head back laughing, and I’m immediately jealous that I wasn’t the one who caused that reaction.
Her hair hangs in waves behind her, her perfect chin pointing to the ceiling.
Even from here, I can see her long dark lashes, and the carefree way she holds herself, once again, puts me at ease.
“Tall brunette.”
Ro lets out a deep breath. “Oh, thank God.”
I’m confused by his response until I turn to see him staring a hole through Claire’s friend. Now I’m the one throwing my head back. I’m also curious what he would have done if I had said Claire was the petite blonde one.
Suddenly, like two opposite poles of a magnet are drawn to each other, even from afar, she looks in my direction. Her mouth drops open in surprise, then much like mine, shifts as if it should be expected.
I smack Ro’s chest with the back of my hand to let him know we’re moving. Together we walk towards Claire and her friend who are next in line.
“Hi,” I say, mimicking her greeting at Monroe’s.
She gives a knowing smile, and I blush. I fucking blush. Making Claire happy has quickly become my new favorite thing, and she makes it so easy to do.
Her friend clears her throat dramatically. Ronan attempts to hide his amusement and Claire fakes a scoff.
“Guys, this is Chloe. Chloe, this is Jay.”
“Hi again,” I say, and I can now see that her shirt says, I Can't Even across the front.
Claire gestures to Ro, “And this is…”
“Ronan.” He sticks his hand out directly to Chloe. Smooth Ro. Claire tries to hide her smile. Chloe does not.
After dropping hands, she cries, “Wait! I recognize you! From Enzo’s!”
Ronan nods his head looking at me like he’s impressed. “He owns the place,” I say, hyping my boy up.
“What? Stop it. I LOVE your balls.” Ronan all but drops to the floor.
“Oh my God! Your meatballs! She means she loves your meatball subs!” Claire smacks Chloe’s arm.
“Hmm, is that what I mean?” Chloe says with a flirty smile. She’s kidding, but I think Ronan just fell in love.
“I hate to interrupt whatever is happening here, but I think you guys are up.” I cut in, pointing to the lady behind the counter of Auntie Anne’s who looks like she very much hates her job.
Claire steps up and orders two cinnamon sugar pretzels and then turns back to us. “Do you guys want anything?”
“Nah, I’m good. I’ve never even had one of these things before,” I say, looking at Ro who shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head in agreement.
Claire and Chloe’s faces mirror each other, both mouths dropped open. “Make it four,” Claire says immediately.
“Seriously guys,” Chloe speaks up. “You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted this sugary slice of heaven.”
Both girls reach for their wallets, but I hand Ms. Sunshine my card instead.
Chloe makes a dramatic gasp. “Wow. And they say chivalry is dead.” She takes the oily bag of pretzels and walks to the closest bench.
“Thanks for the food, Mr. Gentleman…again,” Claire says as she follows behind Ronan. “Do you know this owner too?”
“Who? Ms. Anne? Oh sure, we go way back,” I joke.
She scrunches her face and squeezes my arm, and I’m reminded all over again of the effect her touch has on me. Even now, this casual contact lights a fire deep inside.
We get to the bench and the girls sit with us standing in front of them.
Chloe distributes the pretzels, and Ronan and I take our first bites.
Man, they weren’t kidding. These things are delicious — deep fried dough, brushed with melted butter, and drenched in cinnamon sugar?
I mean, I guess I should have seen that coming, but we look at each other like we never would have guessed. Claire sure knows her sweets.
After a few moments of gluttonous silence, Chloe asks Ronan how he makes his meatballs. They start talking about the “secret ingredient,” which isn’t so secret (ricotta cheese), when I tune them out and turn to Claire.
“Any chance you’re also here buying an outfit for Friday?” I hold up the bag in my hand internally cursing myself for bringing it up.
She mimics the gesture and my inner voice quiets. “Guilty.”
We both roll our eyes, but inside I’m glad to know that she also felt the pressure to impress.
My gladness though, doesn't feel like relief. It hits me out of nowhere that this isn’t supposed to be happening.
I’m not supposed to be happy I ran into her.
Hell, I’m not supposed to be happy at all.
I shouldn’t be looking forward to hanging out tomorrow, and I’m damn sure not supposed to be falling for her like I am.
I get lost inside my head thinking of all of the reasons I should cancel our plans, and end this before we’re both in too deep, when I see her face light up.
It drops again almost immediately after I don’t mirror her excitement.
“Wait, what?” I regain my focus and try to catch up on what I missed.
“Oh, uh, no.” She brushes her hair behind her ear. “I just said it should be a good time.”
I’m an idiot. And I can’t keep going back and forth like this inside my mind. It’s time to decide if I’m doing this or not. If I want to get to know Claire then I have to commit to getting out of my head. It’s not fair to her and it’s driving me fucking crazy.
“Definitely,” I say, making my decision.
She looks back up and meets my gaze. I either saved it somehow or she already understands the way I self-sabotage.
Ronan taps me on the shoulder. “Come on, Jay! We aren’t finished here yet." It's honestly the perfect time, but he is way too chipper just for jean shopping. "It was nice to finally meet you, Claire," he adds.
“I guess that’s my cue,” I say. She stands and I give her a hug with my one free arm. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.” I breathe in her scent before pulling away.
“If not before.” She winks but considering how the universe seems to keep putting us together, she may not be kidding. "Nice to meet you, Ronan!"
Walking away, Ro starts babbling about Chloe. She’s this, she’s that, wasn’t it hilarious when…But I’m only half listening. Deciding I want Claire is fucking terrifying. Especially when I consider she may not want me back.
Interested? Sure.
But could she actually want all of me?
“Dude, I think that girl’s my soulmate,” he says.
I look back and see the girls standing to leave. Claire gives me a small wave before heading in the opposite direction.
Me too, I think. Me too.