Chapter 7 Sly and Lark walked slowly towards the Scanlon house. “You know you didn’t have to walk me to the door.” Lark lied. She was thrilled that he did it. He shrugged. “I was raised to be a gentleman, sort of. The guys always walks the girl to her door.” “So you’ve noticed I’m a girl, huh?” She smiled. “I thought the only thing you paid attention to was food.” “I pay attention to everything. I am very aware of the fact that you are female.” “Well…” Lark couldn’t help feeling good about that. Sly sat down on the stoop and Lark immediately sat down next to him. This was a good sign. It didn’t look like he was going anywhere soon. “So food’s not that important? Could have fooled me.” “No, food’s important to me. I’m thinking about going to school to be a chef. I like eating the stuff and I like making it so why not make it my career, you know? That’s how I got that sandwich out of Em’s cook. Before I talked to her she was after me with a butcher knife screaming: ‘Get out of my kitchen!’” Lark laughed. “That’s how you did it. We were wondering.” “I’ve been told my charm is irresistible.” Sly smiled broadly. “Oh, yeah, you’re very charming.” She smiled. “But one thing I want to know is… how on earth do you stay so thin when you eat so much?” “Metabolism.” Sly nodded. “And I work out. Feel this.” He raised his arm and flexed his muscle. Lark obediently squeezed the muscle. She didn’t feel anything but she smiled and nodded. “Oh, yeah. Nice.” Sly laughed. “There’s nothing there, you don’t have to act like there is.” “You were testing me or something?” She demanded to know. “I’ve thought you were a nice girl and I just wanted to see how nice you were.” “Oh, I can be very nice.” Lark murmured. “Ahem.” Sly cleared his throat and shifted. “So Lucky’s accident must really suck for Emily.” “I guess. Why won’t you be a pal and help her out?” Lark bumped her shoulder against his. “I told you. I don’t like to perform. I know it’s for a good cause and that’s why I’m doing the one skit but two… performing is not in my blood. You know how it is for Emily? She loves this stuff. If there was a Nurses Ball every month she would be right in the middle of it swearing she hated it but loving every minute of it.” “Yeah, I guess.” She murmured. What was he doing changing the subject? Lark didn’t want to talk about Emily! She wanted to get back to a little flirting… and maybe more. Just then Frank opened the front door. “What are you doing out here Lark? You gonna yak the night away on the porch?” Lark held her temper under control. “Okay, Frank. I’ll be in. In a second, okay?” “Guess that’s my cue to go, huh?” Sly stood up and Lark reluctantly followed him. “I’ll see you at the next rehearsal, huh?” Sly surprised her by shaking his head. “How about we get together sooner than that?” “Really?” Lark hoped she could keep her smile out her eyes. Yes, this was it. This was her chance. “Yeah, let’s get together tomorrow or something.” “Yeah, that’d be great. Give me a call.” “Okay. See you tomorrow.” “Bye.” Lark watched as he walked down the sidewalk towards his car. She then dashed into the house. Frank! How could you do that to me?” She complained. Frank flipped through his newspaper and commented. “What? Loverboy left already?” “Don’t call him that.” Lark whined. “And of course he left! You made him feel unwelcome.” “Who’d Frank make feel unwelcome?” Karen asked as she came from the kitchen. “Karen? What are you doing here?” “Just had to drop something off. Who are you talking about?” She asked again. “Sly.” Lark flopped down on the couch next to Frank. “But Mr. Congeniality here scared him off.” “What did I do?” Frank asked innocently. “I just wanted to know when you were coming in.” “You could have waited! Karen, we were having the longest conversation we’ve ever had.” She exaggerated. She jumped off the couch. “Don’t ever do this to me again, Frank!” ~*~*~ The next afternoon Emily went into the motorcycle shop feeling like the whole world was against her finding a new partner for the skit. She still hadn’t told Lucy about Lucky’s sprained ankle. She was hoping that she could find a replacement before she had to face Lucy’s wrath but after today… Just about everyone she asked was either the wrong person or didn’t have the time. And in the back of her head was a voice saying, “Ask Nikolas, ask Nikolas.” But she couldn’t, she wouldn’t. She’d die before she went to him. “Mario?” She called out. Another mechanic came out from the back room. “Mario’s not here.” He told her. Emily frowned. She had been hoping she could talk to Mario. “Do you know where he is?” The guy shrugged. “I dunno. He might be up at his place.” He suggested. “Thanks.” Emily ducked out and went around to the stairs. She quickly ran up the stairs and pounded on his door. She could hear music coming from the other side. He immediately opened the door. She tried to keep herself from gaping but it was hard to. He wasn’t wearing a shirt. And he was very sweaty. And his hair was doing this very cute thing where the sweat had made it extra curly than usual. “Uh, hi.” She managed to mumble. “Why am I getting this strange sense of déjà vu?” He asked with a crooked smile. She felt her heart melt at that smile. “Hey, I’m here in the *daytime* okay?” She pointed out as she brushed past him and came into his room. Her arm tingled from where it touched his side. “Do you ever wear a shirt?” Mario closed the door. “I was expecting you. Thought I’d give you something else to look at.” “Funny.” Emily pushed aside some books and notebooks and hopped up on his bed. “But my other reason is… it’s pretty hot today in case you haven’t noticed.” Mario ran a hand through his dark curly hair. “It’s disgusting isn’t it? And its not even August!” Emily complained as she threw herself backwards. “I hate to think what August is gonna be like.” Mario made a face. He went over to his dresser. He pulled out a white wife-beater shirt and started to pull it on. “Oh, you don’t have to do that on my account.” She protested. Besides she could just check out his pecs all day. Did he work out? He had to. “And have you stare at my chest the way you stared at my lips?” Mario teased. “You’re trying hard to make me self conscious aren’t you?” “I was *not* staring at your lips!” Emily quickly denied. “You don’t have to lie to me, baby girl, it’s okay. It was very flattering.” He smiled as he pulled down the shirt. “But I really have to draw the line somewhere.” “I wasn’t staring.” She muttered. “Uh-huh. I thought it was cute though. Hey!” Mario exclaimed as the pillow Emily threw at him hit him square in the chest. He tossed it back on the bed narrowly missing her. “Now I see how it is. You come into my home, stare at me and then start tearing the place apart.” “So what’s all these books?” Emily asked in a plain attempt to change the subject. She picked at them. Mario moved them onto the floor. “Just some stuff from my classes. I was trying to do some homework when you came barging in.” He stretched out beside her, his head ending up very close to hers. “I did not barge in.” Emily corrected. “I knocked and you let me in.” “Okay, you didn’t stare and you didn’t barge in.” Mario nodded. “So what are you doing here?” “Visiting a friend?” Emily arched her eyebrow. “And bitching about my bad luck.” “What happened?” Mario asked, curious. “Lucky sprained his ankle.” Emily screwed her face up. “He was my partner for one of the skits in the Nurses Ball. Now I have to find someone to replace him because he won’t be in any condition to dance. But I can’t find anyone.” “Poor kid. He’s okay?” “I’m sure he is… actually I haven’t gone to see him. I should have but I was wrapped up in myself and not thinking about him. I should go across the hall and see if he’s there.” “I bet he is and I bet he’s got that pretty little girlfriend of his playing nursemaid.” Mario commented. “You think she’s pretty?” Emily knew she was being petty but it didn’t stop her. Mario shrugged. “She’s alright.” Then he smiled. “But she’s not you.” Emily smiled. “You’re good for a girl’s ego.” “So I’ve been told. Growing up in a house with five females you learn a thing or two.” “Don’t be getting too smug, okay? You just saved yourself… barely.” “But I saved myself and that’s the point.” He grinned. Emily rolled her eyes. “You think you are so cute, don’t you?” “I try.” Suddenly the solution to her problem came to her. She sat up in the bed. “Mario, can you dance?” “Pretty well, my big sisters taught me. Why?” He asked suspiciously. “How’s your singing voice?” Emily asked. “I’d say it was decent. Why?” He repeated. “How do you feel about raising money for a worthwhile cause?” Emily asked. “Okay, can I say that I don’t like where this is going?” Emily clasped her hands together. “Come on Mario, I’m begging you. Please, please do this for me!” “There is no one else you can ask?” Mario asked. “The only person left is Nikolas and I seriously don’t want to do that. Besides, it’s going to take constant rehearsal to get my new partner up to date. And who would I’d rather spend a lot of time with than you?” He closed his eyes and sighed. “Baby girl…” She pouted prettily. “It’ll just be one night…” “I have a lot to do. My classes, my work…” “Mario, please…” He sighed again. “You realize that you have me wrapped around your finger, don’t you?” “It’s my talent. So does this mean yes?” He nodded. “Yes, I’ll do your skit with you.” “Thank you!” Emily launched herself onto him and hugged him tightly. “I thank you, Lucy Coe thanks you, the Nurses Ball thanks you!” She jumped off the bed. “Okay, let’s go to the rehearsal studio. We need to start right away. I’ve had some thoughts on how to change the routine, you know? But I knew Lucky would never go for it however you… Yes, this is going to work. I have to call Lucy! No, I’ll wait until after you have the routine down, I don’t want her to get all wacked out.” Mario laughed at her from the bed. “Could you slow down for a second? I can’t go anywhere until I finish up this homework.” “I could go over and see Lucky while you do it.” Emily offered. “It’ll take you… what an hour?” He shrugged. “About.” “Okay, I’ll see you in an hour, okay? Bye!” Emily breezed out of his room. Mario shook his head. What on earth did he sign on to? ~*~ Emily knocked on Lucky’s door. Liz opened it. “Hey Em.” “Hi, how’s the patient?” Liz made a face. “He doesn’t like being inactive. So he’s being cranky.” “As usual.” Emily smiled. “He’s probably hating the weather today right?” Liz nodded. “He’d rather be in a pool than cooped up in here.” “You know, when he’s ankle’s better how about you two come over to the house and we’ll have like a pool party or something?” Emily suggested. “Yeah, that would be a great idea. He’d love it.” “You know I can hear you over here.” Lucky called from the bed. “We know, we were just ignoring the fact. So are you giving her a rough time?” Emily asked. “Me? I’m sweetness and light, didn’t you know?” “Right, right.” Emily nodded. She flopped down on the bed, careful not to hit Lucky’s ankle. “I’m sorry about messing up my foot and leaving you without a partner.” Emily waved her hand. “Forget about it. You just heal quickly and never ever goof-off in Kelly’s ever again.” “Never again. Scout’s honor.” He swore. “Were you ever a Boy Scout?” Emily asked doubtfully. “No but still…” “Oh and don’t worry about the skit either. I’ve got a replacement.” Emily grinned. “Who? Nikolas? I’d like to see him up there on stage dancing around.” Lucky smiled at her. “No. Someone way better. Mario.” Emily’s eyes lit up. Lucky lost his smile. “Mario? You barely know him? Do you really think he can do it?” “Yes, I do. I asked him and after a little pleading, he said yes. We’re going to go to the rehearsal studio and I’m going to show him the moves.” Emily didn’t say anything about her thoughts on changing the skit slightly. She wanted to surprise everyone. “Why didn’t you just ask Nikolas?” Lucky grumbled. “Because I didn’t want to, okay?” Emily gritted through her teeth. “Hey Lucky if she didn’t want to ask Nikolas don’t push her to.” Liz advised. “I’m sure this Mario guy will be alright.” “Thank you Liz.” Emily smiled gratefully. “Finally someone with some sense.” “I have sense.” Lucky protested. “I have sense enough not to trust this whole thing.” There was another knock at the door. Liz went to get it. “I wonder who that could be.” “Seems like you’re a popular guy, Lucky. No idea why.” Emily muttered. “People say I’m very likable.” Lucky countered. Liz laughed at that and Emily snorted. Liz opened the door to reveal Nikolas. “Hey guys. Just came to see how you were doing. Hi Emily. ” Lucky saw Emily stiffen up from the corner of his eye. She stood up. She had to get out of there. She didn’t want to talk to Nikolas at all. “I better go.” “Are you leaving? Let me walk you out. I want to talk to you about something.” “Uh… I’m just going across the hall.” Emily knew that if she turned around she would see Lucky frowning at that. “Then let me walk you across the hall then.” Nikolas insisted. Emily sighed. She gave in because she could tell that Nikolas was going to continue coming after her until she gave up. “Alright.” Liz gave Lucky a look after Emily and Nikolas went out into the hall. “Um, what’s with Emily and Nikolas? There’s like this weird tension between them.” Lucky shrugged. He could feel it to but he didn’t understand it. What was going on with Emily and Nikolas? “I think he must have upset her or disappointed her in some way.” ~*~ Emily leaned against Mario’s door and folded her arms. “So what was your real reason for coming over here? Is this a new place for you to meet Katherine? I wouldn’t have thought motorcycle shops were her style. But then again she’s into cradle-robbing she could be into anything.” “Emily I wish you wouldn’t talk about Katherine that way.” “And I wish she didn’t live in my house! That way I wouldn’t chance walking in on you and her.” Emily shot back. “Do you know how traumatized I’d be if that happened?” Nikolas waited until she finished. “Are you done?” Emily shrugged. “For now. So go ahead and talk.” “You just don’t understand Katherine and I. We love each other, very much.” She pursed her lips and nodded. “Right and that’s why you two are hiding your…’love’.” “Because we were waiting until we were secure enough…” “Look!” Emily cut in. She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Don’t explain your relationship with Katherine to me because number one, it makes me sick and number two, I just really don’t care anymore.” “Emily…” “We can’t talk about this now. I don’t like you much right now. Give me a few days, a few weeks, hell maybe even a month and then come back to me. Maybe by then I’ll be back to being doormat Emily and I’ll support your every decision. Won’t that be peachy.” She said sarcastically. Suddenly Mario’s door opened and Emily fell back. Strong hands caught her. “Hey, give me a little warning next time.” She twisted around to look up at him. “Sorry.” He smiled at her. He noticed Nikolas standing by Lucky’s door staring at them. “Didn’t know you were there.” “It’s okay. You finished already?” “Yeah, didn’t take me as long as I expected.” Mario nodded. “So let’s go teach me how to dance.” “It is going to be so fun.” Emily promised. “It better be. Let’s go.” Mario turned and locked his door. “Bye.” Emily carelessly tossed out to Nikolas and followed Mario. Nikolas went back into Lucky’s room. “What do you know about this Mario guy?” He asked without preamble. “He’s replacing me in the Nurses Ball. He works in the shop downstairs.” “How long has Emily known him? How close are they?” Nikolas grilled him. “A few days I guess. I would say they’re very close. I heard them arguing the other night. You have to be close to someone to go at it the way they were.” “Would you two stop!” Liz demanded. “Emily would not like this if she knew that you were picking apart her relationship.” “We’re just being concerned friends, that’s all.” Lucky said. “Don’t want her getting hurt or anything.” Nikolas added. “And I don’t trust him.” “Me too.” Nikolas muttered.