If We Ever Get an Hour Together (A Van McCann fanfiction)

A Friend of Mine

The night before: 

Van: 

It started off with dinner. Gabi had set up Lucia with one of her friends. Some guy named Michael, who didn't smile and definitely didn't seem to fit with Lucia. Their conversation was awkward, and we all had to endure it. I had to endure it. 

I'd told Gabi since the beginning of her bright idea, did she really think Lucia wouldn't mind? And maybe I looked kind of foolish when Lucia finally came around and said fine, but who was I to think I had the last word with her? Lucia was a big girl. 

The actual dinner part, which was just supposed to be the four of us, except Larry had joined last minute, was dragged out. Michael was some office marketing wannabe executive or some shit. Lucia tried to listen to what he said, but her eyes always seemed to wander. I caught her staring at the wall behind him, and when her eyes flashed to mine, I looked back at Gabi. 

"They seem to be getting along right?" Gabi caught me in the kitchen, looking towards the dining room area. 

"Sure." I didn't bother. 

Michael left shortly afterward. Gabi asked Lucia what she thought of him. She shrugged. "He's fine." 

"Oh come on, he totally likes you." 

Lucia swept her hair back. "I'm not really looking for anything right now. I just had that thing with Nick and"-

"You're not getting married. Oh come on." 

We'd popped a bottle of wine open. Lucia drank two glasses and she finally seemed to relax. Gabi drank three and half of one before she finally disappeared to my bedroom. Larry suggested we play a round of some new game he'd gotten, and I went along. Lucia draped herself over our couch, and she complained that we both sucked at the game, her laugh light and sweet. "Just kidding, I don't get who's who though?"

Larry explained and I set the controller down while the next level loaded. Lucia stood up and looked around our living room. "You're not leaving?" I watched her. 

"No, I'm just looking around. Is this a demo?" She picked up the case. I let her put it on, even though I absolutely hated my voice in one of the songs. 

"It's time to call it a night mates. Goodnight." Larry disappeared soon after that. Lucia and I stood in the living room near the stereo and she leaned against one of the bookshelves. She changed her mind and walked to the couch. My voice cracked in one of the songs and we made eye contact before she raised her eyebrows and laughed. 

"Thanks." I leaned against the bookshelf in her place. 

"I'm sorry." Her laugh quieted, but then it started again. "Ok I'm done, I swear." 

I took a drink from my wine glass in front of her. She looked at me, not breaking eye contact until I set the glass down and took a seat at the end of the couch across from her. "So what'd you think of Michael?"

"Oh god, the guy and I have nothing in common. But I'll tell Gabi I want to marry him if that gets her off my back." Lucia rubbed her eyes, moving her head back. "Well not marry him, but you get the idea." 

"I caught you looking at the wall." 

"He started talking about mergers and funding and SEO. Not a clue what any of that was." She turned her neck to look at me. Her eyes were bright, but she didn't seem drunk at all. "If I wanted a marketing course I'd go online." 

I laughed. "You're a mean one." 

She crossed her legs. "Probably. You know I remember reading books when I was younger all about romance and dating and thinking it was all going to be so easy."