I glance at Damen, eyes full of questions, but he just smiles and nods toward the sky, and even though the edges are sparking and fading, the memory is solid, imprinted on my mind.
Then he pulls me close, lips to my ear when he says, "Show's over, fat lady sang."
"You calling Tinkerbell fat?" I laugh as he takes my hand and leads me through the gates and back to our cars.
I climb into my Miata and get settled in, smiling as he leans through my window and says, "Don't worry, there'll be more days like this. Next time I'll take you to California Adventure."
"I thought we just had a California adventure." I laugh, amazed by the way he always seems to know just what I'm thinking before I've even had a chance to utter the words. "Should I follow you again?" I slip my key in the ignition and start the engine.
He shakes his head. "I'll follow you." He smiles. "Got to see you home safely."
I pull out of the lot, merge onto the southbound freeway, and head home. And when I check the rearview mirror, I can't help but smile when I see Damen right there behind me.
I have a boyfriend!
A gorgeous, sexy, smart, charming boyfriend! One who makes me feel normal again.
One who makes me forget that I'm not.
I reach over to the passenger seat and pluck my new sweatshirt from its bag, running my fingers over the Mickey Mouse applique on the front, remembering the moment Damen chose it for me.
"Notice how this one doesn't have a hood," he'd said, holding it against me, and estimating the fit.
"What are you trying to say?" I squinted into the mirror, wondering if he hates my look as much as Riley thinks.
But he just shrugged. "What can I say? I prefer you hoodless." I smile at the memory, the way he kissed me as we stood in line to pay, the warm, sweet feel of his lips on mine And when my cell phone rings, I glance in my rearview mirror to see Damen holding his.
"Hey," I say, lowering my voice so that it's husky and deep. "Save it," Haven says. "Sorry to disappoint you, but it's just little ole me."
"Oh, so what's up?" I ask, signaling my intended lane change so that Damen can follow:
Only he's no longer there.
I glance between my side and rearview mirrors, frantically scanning all four lanes, but still, no Damen.
"Are you even listening to me?" Haven asks, clearly annoyed. "Sorry, what?" I ease up on the gas and look over my shoulder, searching for'Damen's black BMW; as someone in a monster truck passes, honks, and flips me the bird.
"I said Evangeline is missing!"
"What do you mean 'missing'?" I ask, hesitating for as long as I can before merging onto the I33, with Damen still nowhere in sight, even though I'm sure he didn't pass me.
"I called her cell a bunch of times and she didn't pick up."
"And," I say, anxious to get through this call-screening story so I can get back to my own missing person's case.
"And, not only does she not answer, not only is she not in her apartment, but nobody's seen her since Halloween."
"What do you mean?" I check my side mirrors, my rearview mirrors, and glance over each shoulder, but still come up empty. "Didn't she go home with you guys?"
"Not exactly," Haven says, her voice small, contrite.
And after two more cars honk and give me the finger, I give up. Promising myself that as soon as I'm done with Haven I'll call Damen on his cell and sort it all out.
"Hel-Io?" she says, practically shouting. "I mean, jeez, if you're too busy for me, then just say so. I can always call Miles, you know;"
I take a deep breath, striving for patience. "Haven, I'm sorry, okay? I'm trying to drive and I'm a little distracted. Besides, you and I both know Miles is still at acting class, which is why you called me." I merge over to the far left lane, determined to punch it and get home as quickly as I can.
"Whatever," she mumbles. "Anyway, I haven't exactly told you this yet, but, well, Drina and I kind of left without her."