Come sit down, I said, hoping to sever their strange and sudden connection.
Oh yeah, Sebastian said, as if coming out of a fog. Becky quickly shut her phone.
Alexander scooted next to me and placed one hand on my red-and-black-striped tighted knee and the other around my shoulder. He smelled yummy in his lightly scented Drakkar, and my pulse quickened.
Sebastian inched awkwardly onto the bench next to Becky. The seemingly self-assured guy appeared suddenly shy and smitten. He tucked his hair behind his ear and played with the rings on his fingers.
Becky held her purse tightly in her lap like a childs teddy bear and nervously twisted the nylon strap.
I hope youre hungry, I said, and handed Sebastian a menu that sat behind the tabletop jukebox.
You know I am, he mumbled.
Sebastian fidgeted in the booth and tapped his fingers against the menu. Becky avoided him by flipping through the jukebox songs.
Dixie, a familiar waitress, came over. She wore her hair in a black beehive, and her curvy figure was squeezed into her white uniform like a forties pinup girls. When she wasnt reading a tabloid magazine at the soda counter, she was heckling her customers. She had a heart of gold but little patience for the teen clientele.
Whatll you have? she asked.
Sebastian hadnt had time to open his menu; he was too busy perusing Becky. What are you getting? he asked Alexander.
The malts are fabulous, Alexander said.
Order anything youd like, Sebastian, I said.
Anything? Or anyone? Sebastian gave a cheeky wink to my best friend.
Sebastian waited for her response. Embarrassed, Becky blushed and giggled. Sebastian took that as a positive sign and he, too, grinned.
Alexander chuckled and I sneered. I was the only one not finding any humor in his comment.
Four chocolate malts, four burgers, and two atomic fries, I said to Dixie.
Sounds good to me, Becky said.
How do you want the burgers cooked? Dixie cracked her gum so loud it sounded like a car backfiring.
Rare, Sebastian said.
Alexander kicked Sebastian underneath the table.
Rare? Becky asked.
We dont serve hamburgers rare here. With the tip of her pen she pointed to a small disclaimer on the bottom of the menu. This isnt a five-star restaurant, if you hadnt noticed. You can order your burgers burnt or not burnt.
Then four not-burnt burgers, Alexander said with a grin.
Dixie blew a pink bubble, winked at Alexander, and wiggled toward the kitchen.
We all cracked up, and when our laughter subsided there was an awkward silence.
Sebastian checked out Becky, which caused her to fiddle with her napkin.
Alexander and Sebastian grew up together in Romania, I told her. Just like us, best buds.
Thats great, Becky said demurely. She wrung the napkin again.
Since no one else was talking and I was dying to find out more about Alexander, I figured this was as good a chance as any to steer the conversation in that direction.
So what did you two guys do for fun in Romania? I asked.
Alexander shrugged his shoulders. I dont knowwe just hung out.
And played golf? I asked.
No. Alexander laughed. We did the things kids do
Yesbut you werent normal kids.
Becky appeared puzzled.
I mean, since Alexanders grandmother was a baroness, I said, covering my comments.
Dixie returned with our shakes. Becky hid behind hers and the rest of us began to devour ours.
Did you get into trouble? I asked.
I did Sebastian said. But Alexander was always there to get me out of it.
I nestled into my boyfriend.
What do you do for fun? Sebastian asked Becky.
Me? she asked, surprised the conversation was directed toward her.
Yes.
Becky leered at me as if I were going to answer for her.
Sebastian waited, but Becky didnt answer. She just played with her straw.
We do girlie things, I answered for her. Talk, gossip, and talk some more.
Do you like cemeteries? he asked.
Me? She shook her head vehemently.
Was Alexander in his attic room painting like he is now? I asked.
Uhyes. He always was working on some masterpiece. But he rarely showed me. He kept them hidden in an armoire in his room. Do you paint or draw? he asked Becky.
NoIm not an artist.
Did you guys go clubbing? I asked Sebastian.
Sure, sometimes. Do you like to go out, Becky?
Uhme?
Alexander, I said, clearing my throat. I left something in the car. Can we go get it?
Uhsure, my boyfriend replied.
Sebastian reached into his back pocket and handed Alexander his keys.
Once Alexander and I were outside Hatsys, I stopped.
The car is over there, Alexander said.
I didnt forget anything. I wanted to talk to you.
Alexander was perplexed. What do you want to talk about?
What is going on with Sebastian?
What do you mean?
Im trying to have a conversation with him and all he wants to do is talk to Becky.
He doesnt mean anything by it. Hes just being polite.
Does he think we were fixing him up? I asked.
I dont think so.
Well, he needs to back off. Dont you see the way hes staring at her? Hes hitting on her.
I think you might be overthinking it, Alexander said soothingly.
Did he ask me one question? I charged.
Alexander paused. Is that what this is about? That hes not paying attention to you? he asked sweetly. He doesnt always have the best manners. I do try to tell him.
NoI dont care that he doesnt ask me.
But perhaps it did bother me. Maybe I was getting wrapped up in his attention toward Becky. Maybe I was oversensitive to his advances since they were not directed toward me. I felt like a heel, accusing Alexanders friend of preying on Becky.
Okay, okay. I guess Im just being overprotective of Becky, like you are of me.
When we returned, Sebastian was holding Beckys hand and reading her palm. This is your life lineand this is your love line. He was seductively tracing her lines with his finger. Very strong indeed.
See? I whispered to Alexander.
Now Ill show you mine. He scooted closer to her and held out his palm.
Becky giggled uncontrollably. She glanced at a long line running through his hand. She had a quizzical look on her face. Wowyour life line seems to go on forever.
Now Alexander wasnt pleased with Sebastians flirting.
How about you tell them about the time you drove your Mustang through the cemetery and it almost fell into an empty grave, Alexander prompted his friend, taking charge of the situation.
Just then Dixie arrived with a tray full of food. Sebastian tore into his burger while Becky picked at her fries.
I could tell she wanted to say something to Sebastian. Normally, Becky was painfully shy, but with Sebastians playful attitude toward her, she was loosening up. What do you and Alexander do all day while we go to school? she asked suddenly.