Page 66 of Just Ten Seconds

In the dining room, skeletons are eating on a feast of green eyeballs.

Amanda leans over the skeleton at the head of the table and makes a sour face. “That’s gross but pretty cool.”

There’s a platter on the center of the table, covered by a lid. Amanda lifts it, and out from underneath comes a screaming head, shouting into the room and rolling on the table toward Dean. He jumps and rushes quickly to the side, crashing into me. He wraps his arms around me, and on instinct, I hold him back, feeling his body pressed against me. His heart is beating a mile a minute, and his scared breaths are staggered.

Amanda leans forward and laughs uncontrollably. Her finger points at Dean as she tries to catch her breath. “Oh my God, you are such a scaredy-cat!”

Dean looks down at me and then assesses the way his fingers are digging into my shoulders, holding on to me for dear life. With a clearing of his throat, he releases me and stands tall, adjusting his jacket and his hat. “I wasn’t that scared.”

Now, it’s my turn to burst out laughing. “Come on, cowboy. Let’s get you somewhere safe,” I tease.

“I wasn’t that scared!” he declares again as we walk out the front door.

Manny opens the door to escort us out. “I haven’t made anyone jump like that in years!” He pats Dean on the back and lets out a laugh. “Thanks for making my night.”

Where I would think most men would get defensive, Dean only laughs. His eyes twinkle at me as we walk out the door. “Maybe I just wanted an excuse to jump into a beautiful woman’s arms.”

I’m back at the theater today, working with Ariel and Eric on their differences. I finally pulled it out of them that their rift started three years earlier when he got the role of Chip in Beauty and the Beast—a role she had coveted, especially since the production was mostly male.

Looking for something to use as a stick, I find a paint roller extension in the back where Dean has been storing his supplies. He’s not here today, so I unscrew the stick from the roller and hand it to Ariel and Eric to hold. With their hands on each end, they run through their lines. As one says a line, they move the stick anywhere they like. The other has to follow the motion to stay connected. It’s a way to bond them in the dance that is their scene. Since day one, they’ve been more cordial to each other, but it’s these one-on-one scenes that feel disconnected despite their week of hard work.

Amanda is with the rest of the cast, working on the background dances for the “Kiss the Girl” scene.

When rehearsal’s over, Amanda walks up to me as I’m packing my bag. “Can you bring me home?” She scoots her backpack up her shoulder but seems to be having difficulty with her case. I reach over and give her a hand. “Thanks.”

“Where’s your dad?” I place the last of my supplies in my tote bag.

“He told me to ask you to bring me home.”

Standing up straight, I place a hand on my hip, confused. “Your dad? The overprotective one who sat outside for a half an hour before he left here to make sure no one kidnapped you? He left you here to get home on your own?”

“Yep. He saw your car and said you could bring me back. Although I was supposed to ask you earlier and let him know.”

My mouth widens as I feign being insulted. “What makes him think I have all the time in the world to drive you home?”

She drops her chin and looks up at me with those big doe eyes. “Do you have other plans?”

“Well, no.” I shift from one foot to the other. “But still, what would you have done if I’d said no?”

“Then, I’d have had to call him and tell him you said no. I have a cell phone. He got me one after I hurt my arm. It only allows me to call him, Grandma, my other grandma, and the police. I’ll text him now to let him know you have me.”

“Let’s chalk this up to life lesson number one. Never let a man know you have no social life.” I’m not really trying to give an eight-year-old relationship advice. It’s more for myself.

“Not a problem for me. I’m pretty a popular kid, and I’ve only lived here for three months.”

Man, it’s easy being in grade school. All you have to do is go to school with a sequin backpack and a JoJo Siwa hair bow, and you’ve got instant popularity.

I wasn’t planning on seeing Dean tonight, but I suppose there’s no reason I can’t go over there. We’re friends. We’re adults. We’re adult friends. Just because we shared a kiss doesn’t mean we can’t be around one another.

Why am I even giving this so much thought?

“Let’s get you home then.” I lift my tote off the floor and then take her backpack for her, carrying that too.

“Great! And you can stay for dinner. It’s pizza and movie night.”

I don’t have the heart to tell her I probably won’t be staying for dinner, so I say nothing as I hold the door open, and we walk outside and into my car.

“Call your dad now and let him know we’re on our way.”