Destined

Thirty Six

On Thursday, after class, I was heading to the parking lot to Vince, who'd texted that he'd be picking me up, so we could take one of our usual pointless drives around the university or town just so we could talk. Was a good thing I hadn't driven to school that morning but hitched a ride with Maddie. When I got outside I saw Vince was standing by his car though he was not alone. Reese was with him, and they were talking. She was smiling widely, like everything he said was unbelievably funny.

A few other people were milling around, in and out of the building, to their cars, several of them glancing Vince's way, or maybe Reese's way, I don't know. I walked towards them slowly, partially hoping they'd wrap up their conversation so I didn't have to greet her. Strangely, aside from when he'd introduced her at the diner earlier in the year, I'd never actually met the woman.

Trying hard to school my face into a mask of calm, I finally reached them, causing Vince to look up at me. He smiled when he saw me and I couldn't help but smile back.

"Kristina," he said, taking my hand the moment I reached them. "You know Reese Erleene,"
"Reese," I said slowly.
She smiled, offering me her hand, "I can't believe we haven't officially met before now,"
I smiled politely, "Me neither," I shook her hand.
"Oh Vee, you've been hiding her from me,"

Vee?

"What can I say? I like having her to myself," Vince responded.
"Aren't you the sweetest? We should all have dinner soon, my treat, in fact let's do it tomorrow," she said enthusiastically.
Vince laughed, "Thats generous of you, Reese, but..."
"I'm not taking no for an answer," she said touching his arm and then turning to me, "Kristina, you simply must join us. We have much to talk about, you and I, concerning our mutual friend here,"

Didn't she just say we should all have dinner? Why was she extending a second invitation to me? Well, I didn't want to seem insecure. And she was his friend, if we were going to work, I'd have to accept his friends. He'd embraced mine. It was only fair.

I nodded, "Sure, I'd love to,"
"Good, I'll make reservations and call you, Vee. You two enjoy your evening," and she hugged him and strolled away.

I took a deep calming breath. Did she have to touch him? And what was with that stupid nick name? Vince turned to me, once she disappeared into the building, a sheepish look on his face.

"Well that was...."
"Yeah," I said and walked away from him to his car.

I waited until he unlocked it before reaching in, quickly doing my seatbelt before he could.

"You're angry," he stated.

Yes, yes I was.

I shook my head, "Just tired, can we skip the drive tonight? I just want to go home and shower,"

More that I didn't really want to sit in his luxurious, perfectly comfortable car and pretend everything was fine when my emotions were whirling inside of me. He must have noticed that because he didn't disagree.

He nodded, starting the car, "Look, we don't have to do this dinner thing,"
"I already agreed," I said.

I didn't want to be weak. I could do this. It was just dinner. Maybe seeing them interact would cause all my doubts to die away once and for all. But if the way she was constantly smiling at him and touching him whenever I saw them together was any indication of how she behaved when they hung out, I wasn't sure dinner would be such a good idea.

"You can change your mind, hell, I'll say I can't make it,"
"No, then she'll think she's made me uncomfortable,"
"She clearly has,"

Of course she had. This was the same person who'd managed to get herself in the press' sights by showing up uninvited to his book release. Who smiled, and touched his shoulder playfully, called him Vee, and had fancy dinners with him and other colleagues just as an excuse to be close to him. I knew she did. Despite what Vince thought.