Page 40 of Like You Want It

“Ugh. Susie Q, you are one of my new favorite people. Never change.”

She beams at my compliment.

I look back at where Dina is leaning against the stair rail. “Dina, this is my neighbor and her brother. Susie and Fin Callaghan. Guys, this is my friend Dina Giannetti. She’s nuts.”

Dina giggles and so does Susie. Fin purses his lips.

“Where are you two off to?” Susie asks, her eyes bright.

“We’re going to The Rodeo,” I say, leaning a hip against the stucco wall of our building. “It’s a western bar over in West Covina. You been before?”

She shakes her head.

“You both should come.”

I glance over at Dina, who is standing there with what looks like the most innocent smile on her face. Proof that her invitation is anything but.

“Oh, that would be so awes…”

“We can’t,” Fin is quick to interrupt Susie, who looks instantly deflated.

“Oh come on,” Dina replies, resting her hand on her waist. “You don’t have to put in all the work to get ready. You look fine in your outfit,” she gestures to Fin, then looks at Susie. “And girlie, Carly totally has something you could wear if you want.”

Susie’s eyes light up, then she looks at her brother. “I’m going.”

His head turns to hers in a flash and I can see the objections on his tongue.

“And nothing you can say is going to talk me out of it. So you can roll up your sleeves and come along and babysit me, even though I’m not gonna do anything stupid, or you can take this DVD and watch it at your house.”

She pulls a RedBox out of her purse and slaps it against his chest with determination, then spins on her heels and starts for the stairs.

“I have something I can wear,” she tosses over her shoulder. “Just gimme five minutes.” And then she flies up the stairs, taking them two at a time.

I hear her unlocking her door, going into her apartment, and then closing the door behind her. The entire time, Fin and I just stare at each other.

“I’m digging this Susie that feels comfortable doing what she wants,” I say, crossing my arms and giving Fin a devilish smile. “You know, it’s good for her to make friends.”

“I am very aware.”

We continue to stare at each other. And then his eyes run along my hair, down my neck, across my chest and then along the length of my legs. “Your outfit tonight is definitely a gigantic step away from what you normally look like.”

“Is that an insult or a compliment?”

He takes a step closer, his eyes focusing on my face, his hands planted on his hips. For just a second, he looks like he’s prepared to argue with me about something.

And then something happens.

His chest deflates. But in a good way. Like the constant bluster he wears like a suit of armor is just too exhausting to carry around anymore and he finally lets it go.

A small smile appears on his face. Something I’ve never seen before. “A compliment. Definitely.”

I flush from chest to neck.

Well.

I wasn’t expecting him to benice.

“Hey dude,” Dina says, causing Fin and I to look over at her and effectively breaking whatever brief moment we were having. “Your sister is a big girl and can take care of herself. But don’t worry. We’ll take good care of her.”