"WHO ARE YOU?" The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them.
"Who's at the door?" James called out, stepping into view. When he saw me, he came over and graciously accepted the bag before peering inside it. "I hope there are no tomatoes."
"Of course there aren't any," I snapped.
He chuckled and kissed my cheek before saying, "You know me well."
"Oh my gosh, is this the girlfriend?" the girl who I had temporarily forgotten was still here asked.
James nodded, taking a bite from his burrito. "Dani, meet Leila," he said with his mouth full.
"You're just as pretty as James said you are," the Leila character said.
I forced a smile on my face. "And how do you two know each other?"
"Leila also works at the lab," James answered after swallowing his food.
She playfully smacked his chest. "I'm just a labmate?"
James rolled his eyes. "We're also old friends."
I found myself gripping the drinks tray a little harder than I should have. "That's nice."
"I should get going, but it was so nice meeting you." Leila held up the white fabric in her hand and smiled at James. "Thanks for lending me your spare lab coat."
He shook his head. "No worries, keep it."
"Thanks again. Goodnight, guys." She waved before stepping out of the apartment. It wasn't until she was out of sight did my grip loosen.
James sat on his couch as he continued devouring his dinner. "So what do you think of Leila?"
"She seems nice," I said through gritted teeth.
~*~
I woke up the next morning feeling groggier than usual. It took me forever to fall asleep, and by the time I did, I had knocked out. I stretched my arms over my head as I let out a yawn, letting my hands fall back on the bed, surprised they didn't make contact with James. I looked beside me to see he wasn't in bed, and in his place was a note. I picked up the yellow post-it note and rubbed my eyes before skimming it.
Didn't want to wake you but I have an early start. I left cinnamon buns in the kitchen. Let's meet up for lunch later.
-J
Perhaps it was because I was groggy, or maybe my lactose intolerance from yesterday's iced coffee was kicking in, but my stomach didn't feel so good. Instead of sticking around waiting for James, I decided to go home. I scribbled a message back on his note and called Amber to come and get me. Being the loyal friend she was, she made it to Penbrooke in an hour and a half.
"You're so lucky I went sixty over the whole time on the highway," was how she greeted me.
"As a token of my love here's breakfast." I handed her the bag of cinnamon rolls James bought.
Amber snacked on one as she drove back to Stone Creek. "So why'd you ditch Dr. Hastings?"
I rolled my eyes at the nickname but considering she came all the way to get me I owed her the truth. I told Amber all about my encounter with Leila who for the record seemed harmless, though I didn't think she was. Once I started talking I couldn't stop, and I even told Amber about the Holden situation that I had initially called her about a few days ago.
"Wow," she said at the end of my rant.
I slumped in my seat. "Tell me about it."
"For the record, I think James is a good guy." She paused. "Unlike other boyfriends..."
"What happened between you and my brother?" I pressed. Amber used to be head-over-heels for Brenton, but now she could barely stand him.
Amber dismissed my question and changed the topic. "What are you going to do about Holden?"
"What do you mean?" I asked. "Yes, he's an idiot but he's still my friend."
"Sure..."
I narrowed my eyes at her. "What the hell's that supposed to mean?"
Amber looked at me before glancing back at the traffic ahead. "I don't know, it was easier to say that when he was an awkward lame teen, but now he's hot."
I shot her a flat look. "So what if he is?"
She smirked. "So you admit he's hot?"
"Well, yeah... Wait, shut up, Amber." Who cared if he was hot now? Besides, I loved James. "How's your job going?" I asked in an attempt to change the conversation.
"Not as exciting as your messy love life."
"Screw you."
"Oh, I'm sure James and Holden would love to."
~*~
After Amber dropped me off, I decided to relax by the pool in the backyard. I changed into a pair of black quad shorts and a matching black sports bra, and I laid down on a pool chair. My few moments of solace were interrupted when a bunch of voices filled the backyard. My eyes snapped open when I heard three simultaneous splashes in the pool.
Brenton, Alex, and Holden shot me apologetic smiles before resuming whatever they were doing. It looked like they were trying to drown each other, but with these boys, I learned the less I asked the better. I closed my eyes and went back to basking in the sun, but it didn't last long when Alex called me.
"Can you make us lemonade?" he asked.
"Do it yourself," I snapped back.
"Please?"
I groaned in defeat and got up to go to the kitchen. Alex thanked me but I flipped him off as my response. Once in the kitchen, I grabbed a pitcher and filled it with water before adding sugar and squeezing lemons into it. I tossed some ice cubes in, and I was mixing the final product with a spoon as my mind drifted off. I couldn't help but think about Leila and how ridiculously gorgeous she was. With her long, black curly hair, big green eyes, and perfect body how could James not be attracted to her? I wasn't sure how long I spent lost in thought, but it must have been long enough when Holden entered the kitchen.
"Do you need something, Rollins?"
He folded his arms across his chest, and it was at that moment did I notice just how muscular he had gotten. Time had definitely been kind to him. I found myself staring longer than necessary at his wet and chiselled shirtless upper body. "I don't think it takes that long to make lemonade. You've been inside for a while."
"Oh."
He cocked his head to the side and looked at me with concern. "Is everything okay?"
I swallowed hard as I tore my eyes away from his body. "Yeah, I was just lost in thought."
Yeah, my thoughts about stripping him... Okay, Dani, that's enough.
Holden took the pitcher from me. "Are you sure you're alright?"
I grabbed some cups out of the cupboard. "Why would you even ask?"
He shook his head at me. "Okay, weirdo."
We went outside and set the pitcher and cups on a table. Brenton came up to pour himself some lemonade, and my oh-so-kind brother thought it would be hilarious to push me in the pool. Me being the poor unsuspecting victim fell face first in the pool.
"You're dead," I spat as I floated back up to the surface.
Before Brenton could step back, I grabbed his ankle and pulled him in. Brenton and his lemonade went flying into the pool, landing with a massive splash. Alex snickered and jumped on Holden's back, who jumped into the pool to join us. We were all laughing and swimming around, splashing water onto each other. At some point, Alex snuck up behind me and dunked my head underwater. When I came back up, we each grabbed onto his limbs and swung him in the water. In the midst of us having fun, I almost missed my phone ringing. I swam to the side of the pool and picked up my phone from where it was laying on a towel on the grass.
"Hey." It was James. "Are you feeling alright? You left before I could see you."
"I'm feeling better," I told him, and it was true. Goofing around with the boys in the pool made me temporarily forget about Leila.
"Guess what? One of the labs caught on fire!" he said enthusiastically.
What was wrong with this boy? "And that is a good thing how?"
He laughed. "It means I get the rest of the day off. Can I come over?"
"Of course!" I said, mirroring his excitement. "You can have dinner with us. I'm sure my mom's been dying to finally catch up with you."
"Talk to your lover later," Holden called out from behind me. I picked up a nearby pebble and threw it at him, making him curse at me while my brothers laughed.
"Who was that?" James asked on the other end.
"It's just Holden," I answered offhandedly.
"Just the two of you?" Even though it had been years since Holden's confession, James still wasn't his biggest fan.
"And my brothers," I assured him.
There was a slight pause before James said, "Okay."
"I'll see you soon," I told him. "Love you, bye." I hung up my phone and swam back to the boys.
Alex let out a fake gasp. "You actually picked us over your boyfriend?"
I placed my hand over his head and pushed him underwater.
~*~
After hours in the pool, I decided to shower and get dressed to look nice for James. I let my hair rest in its natural waves and I applied some light makeup before changing into a white square neck puffy-sleeved sundress. Once dressed, I went down to the dining room to help set the table.
"You're helping out?" Mom said in disbelief when she saw me. "That's new."
"James is coming," I told her. "I hope that's okay."
"I don't see why it wouldn't be."
It made my heart full seeing how much my mom had changed over the years. She went from despising James' existence to being one of the most supportive people of our relationship. I set cutlery at each seat, and I helped Mom bring out the rest of the food.
"You made this? It smells great!"
Mom snatched the tray of cheese tortellini out of my hands. "I'm no skilled chef, but I know the basics."
I trailed behind her with salad and garlic bread and placed those on the table.
"Holden's staying for dinner," Brenton said as he and his best friend entered the dining room. He refused to make eye contact with Mom as they sat in their seats. She was about to say something but I shook my head, indicating now wasn't the time and she should let him cool off. Alex came to the dining room and took his seat, but before I could take mine the doorbell rang. I ran to the front door and swung it open to reveal James... and Leila.
"I'm sorry," was the first thing he said. "Leila really wanted to meet you and I thought it'd be nice for you two to get to know each other. Is that okay?"
"She's already here, so I guess." I opened the door wider for them both.
"It's so good to see you again, Dani!" Leila said with an over-the-top smile.
I mirrored her smile with one of my own. "Likewise."
James kissed my cheek and handed me a tiramisu cake. "I know how much you love tiramisu." The cake âno matter how decadently beautifulâ wasn't going to excuse him for bringing Leila to my house.
"James is here," I announced when we entered the dining room.
"Daniella, don't be rude," Mom scolded. "Who's the young lady?"
"Leila," I grumbled.
She waved at everyone. "Hi, it's so nice to meet you."
"Please, have a seat," Mom told her.
"There's an empty seat next to me," Brenton offered.
"Excuse him," Holden interjected. "You can sit next to me."
"Boys," Mom said with a shake of her head. "Darling, put the cake in the refrigerator so it doesn't melt."
I did as she said and I put the tiramisu in the fridge before returning to the dining room to find Leila in my seat, next to James. "I hope you don't mind," she said when she saw the look on my face.
"Why would I? That's only been my seat since I was four years old," I answered in a sickly sweet tone. I glumly sat beside Brenton who looked at me with amusement.
"The claws are out."
"Shut up."
Dinner was served, but I had no appetite. Instead, I was more focused on whatever Leila was whispering in James' ear. Brenton must have noticed how uncomfortable I was because he was the first to break the silence. "How do you two know each other?" he asked them.
"We're childhood friends, and we work at the same lab," James answered.
Leila nodded her head. "And we used to date."
Brenton and Alex happened to take a sip from their drinks at the same time, and they both choked. It was almost comical. Almost.
This time, Holden was the one to break the silence. "You guys dated?"
James shifted in his seat and looked down. "When I was thirteen I used to work as a towel boy at this country club owned by Leila's fatherâ"
"Stepfather," she corrected.
"Sorry, a country club owned by her stepfather," James amended. "We became friends and dated for a bit, but it was nothing serious."
Leila giggled. "We were each other's first loves, isn't that adorable?"
I stabbed my fork in a piece of tortellini. "So adorable," I said sarcastically, but Leila either didn't notice or didn't care because she didn't react.
"Why'd you break up?" Holden pondered. His eyes widened when he saw the death stare I was giving him.
James laughed nervously. "Does it matter? We were just young and stupid."
Leila playfully nudged his shoulder. "We broke up because he was a terrible kisser." She smiled at me. "For your sake, I hope he's gotten better."
"I'll bet," I said with the most insincere grin on my face.
"So," Mom began, but not before subtly shooting me a warning look. "I hope you brought your transcripts, James."
He nodded his head. "I already emailed them to you. I got honours again this semester."
Mom smiled at him. "I am so glad to hear that. Let's talk after dessert about your plans for next year."
While I was beyond proud of James, I couldn't shake off the twinge of jealousy I felt from seeing Mom's reaction. James was like the genius child she never had and seeing just how happy she was of his academic accomplishments made me more dreadful of when she'd find out the truth of my academic standing.