The Girl Next Door

44.

"So, how was the mall princess?" Daddy asked with a smile as we sat at a table at the back of the small diner. It was his favorite diner and it was across the street from the police station. Gisella sat next to me and bit her lip.
"I had the best time of my life." Sarcasm dripped onto the table. Daddy and Estelle shared a glance before he shook his head and turned his attention towards Gisella.
"Did you at least enjoy yourself?"
"Oui," she plastered a fake smile onto her pretty face and placed her hand over my thigh under the table.
"See, Stacy. You should be more like Gisella and at least try to enjoy someone wanting to spend time with you." Daddy said.
I ignored his comment because Gisella's small hand traveled up my leg slowly and put me in a trance. Estelle cleared her throat and said something quietly but I wasn't paying attention to her or my dad. Not with the way Gisella made my body feel in less than 3 seconds.
"What are you going to order, Stacy?" Gisella purred casually, like she wasn't putting me under a spell. I flicked my tongue over my lips and exhaled.
"Umm... I don't know yet." I mumbled. She grinned and removed her hand so she could flip through her own menu. Even without her touch, my body was hot.
"I like the pasta." She said and pointed to the picture on the menu. Her skin was so pretty and flawless, it was like she was the literal walking and breathing definition of perfection. I handed her my menu and nodded.
"I'll get the pasta then." I told her and then glanced towards daddy. He was staring at me like I was a stranger.
"I thought you hate pasta." He rubbed his chin in confusion with Estelle's head leaning on his shoulder. The two of them made me sick.
"Things change." I replied bluntly.
Dinner was awkward to say the least. Daddy was uncomfortable and so was Estelle. The small talk was so forced, I barely wanted to participate. So I didn't. Until an idea popped into my head and left me smiling.
"Do you wanna go on a date with me this weekend?" I asked Gisella and almost busted out laughing from the shock on her face. Estelle glared at me like I knew she would.
"Like a double date." I clarified things before the French woman doubled over from a heart attack. Gisella grinned.
"You have a boyfriend?" Daddy asked.
"Mmm, kinda. Can she go, Estelle?" I asked sweetly. I even smiled at the woman and her red cheeks.
"What's his name?" Daddy butted in and rubbed his head.
"Why does it have to be a boy?" I countered.
Estelle practically spit out her drink in disapproval. Meanwhile, under the table, Gisella's hand was an inch away from my hot spot and I was only getting hotter.
"She's kidding. Stacy, tell Estelle you're just joking." Dad took a breath and continued. "Seriously, what's his name?" Our parents frustration made Gisella giggle and I swear I melted.
"Fine, it's just a joke, Estelle."
"I want to go, mamá." Gisella's accent made my skin tingle every time she spoke and I hoped it stayed that way forever.
I couldn't keep up with their conversation because it switched to French as soon as Estelle shook her head no but Gisella wasn't taking that for an answer. Whatever was said between them, her mom didn't like or want to hear.
"I am sorry, bebé girl. But I do not want you to go. Now come, come and let's enjoy dinner."