"So, you know there's a party at the west pier tonight. You wanna go?" Destiny asked, sitting accross from me as we looked at our menus and snacked on the chips and salsa the waiter had brought us.
"Uhm, I don't know. It really depends on what time I get done with the stuff I have to do at the house." I said, taking a bite from the chip in my hand.
"You're going. Trust me, you need to. It'll be lots of fun and you need fun." She said, kicking me under the table.
"I guess." I said, knowing she would only pressure me further if I didn't.
"What time does it start?" I asked, putting my menu down and pulling out my phone.
"It's supposed to start at ten I think." She said, putting more salt on the chips.
"Alright. I guess I'll be there." I said.
The waitor came and took our orders and we made small talk while we ate and then we went to my house.
WHen we walked through the door we slipped our ahoes off and carried them upstairs.
I set my bags down next to the bed and went to put my shoes in my closet.
"You need a guy. I feel like you're alone too much." She said, shuffling through her phone.
"I don't mind it. I mean,Zach makes up for it. And Tucker. I have friends and I really am happy with where my life is at right now." I said, dipping a chip into the cheese and salsa in the bowl.
"Yeah but you still need a guy." She said, shoving her opinion on me.
Destiny wasn't my best friend, but she was still my friend. I had quite a few friends, and I had two best friends. Zach and Lanie. But I still loved Destiny.
When we were finished eating I dropped Destiny off at her house before going to my house and jogging up the stairs.
I carried my bags inside and set them in the floor, quickly changing into a pink and white striped bikini and thre on a pair of jean shorts and a white t shirt over top. I threw on a pair of white flip flops from old Navy and put some extra clothes in the bag I usually took to the beach which was already preparred. I grabbed a stack of four wrapped presents and the three bags of presents and carried them all down the stairs. I always bought Tucker a lot, I didn't have any other siblings to buy for and even if I did he would be my favorite.
I made it to Grama and Pop's house just in time. I parked accross the street and got out of my car, getting the stack of presents out I turned to shut the door and the presents in my arms almost tumbled to the ground, saved by the hands of a stranger. i looked up.
"Thanks" i said, my eyes meeting the stranger's face. He was hansome. Like a model handsome.
"Oh, no biggie." He said, his voice deep and mysterious.
I looked at him. He flashed me a pearly white smile and then looked at my grandparents home.
"That where you're headed?" He asked as he added a present from my arms to the two in his hands.
I shook my head.
"I'll help ya. I know them pretty well, they won't mind a visit." He said, walking forward.
I was in awe. I looked at him as he walked, his khaki cargo shorts and gray t shirt fitting him perfectly. I didn't even know him but I was rediculously attracted to him already.
"So, how do you know the Bryants?" He asked, walking a step ahead of me as we headed accross the street.
"They're my grandparents." I said, walking faster tp get ahead of him as I smiled at the sign that read 'Tucker's Party' in the front yard and on the fence.
"You're one of their grand daughters?" He asked, surprise in his voice.
"Yeah, why?" I asked, not sure why that was surprising to him.
"They have a lot of get togethers and I've never really seen you around much, that's all." He said, shrugging as he carried the boxes easily with one arm.
"I'm here most of the time when they have the get togethers. A lot of times I get here late or leave early though. If I'm not drinking that is." I said, shoving the gate open with my foot after turning my back to it.
"So how are they your grandparents?" He asked, holding the gate open with his free arm while I walked on, thanking him.
"My mom is their daughter." I said, not explaining more.
When I talked about Mandy most of the time I called her my mom.
He didn''t ask anymore questions as I sat the gifts in my arms down on the table and went to arranging them with the ones that he sat down next to them.
"Thanks for the help, sorry to keep you from whatever you were doing before." I appologized, giving him a thankful smirk and turning back to the table.
"No biggie. Need anymore help?" he asked, scratching the back of his head.
I looked around, trying to be polite and not just make him leave.
"Parker get over here right now."
We both looked as my Grama began walking towards us, her arms extended, ready to squish him against her silicon filled chest as she did many others. She was smiling ear to ear and her bottle blonde hair was behind her.
I smiled at the sight of her. She was unique alright but she was my Grama and I loved her.
"Hey Con." He said, returining her smile and hugging her happily.
"Why did you come over here? I hope the parking wasn't an issue." She said, her voice appologetic.
"No, not to my knowledge it wasn't. I was actually just about to go into the house for a visit when I helped.." He looked at me, his look questioning.
"Annsley." i said, answering the obvious question.
"Annsley. I helped Annsley carry in some presents." He said, guesturing to me.
"Well, why don't you stay and have some fun?" Gramma suggested, her hand on his tall, broad shoulder as she looked at him through her water bug sun glasses.
"Oh, no I can't I was actually just gonna drop something off next door and then I have to get to work. " He said. "But next time."
"Oh! Annsley's birthday party is tomorrow, why don't you come to it. You can have a drink, hangout, go for a swim. Just have fun." She said, insisting this time.
He looked at me.
"Yeah." I agreed. The situation was becoming awkward enough.
"Uhm, sure. What time does it start?" He asked, shaking his head.
"Eight." She answered, giving him another smile.
"Okay, I'll see you then." He said, nodding to me and patting my Gramma's back as he passed.
"I don't even know him so don't give me that look. I just met him." I said, knowing full well what she was thinking.
"Yeah well, what I know of him is good enough for the two of us. He's a good guy and you need a good guy in your life." She defended, almost pleading.
"Gramma, I have more important things in my life." I said, walking over to Mandy and opening my arms, ready to take on Tucker duty.
"You need to be happy. That's what's important." She said, shaking her head before walking away.
"What's the matter?" Mandy asked me, handing Tucker over.
"Some guy from accross the street helped me carry some presents and now Gramma suddenly thinks I need a guy in my life. I tried to tell her I don't need anyone in my life, much less a guy. I have everyone I need in my life." I said, wiping a little bit of red kool aid off of Tucker's tiny chin with my finger.
"You do need a guy in your life, but you've got me, and that'll do for now."
I turned, already smiling.