She saw the rain coming.
Dani parked at Aiden’s house, and sat in Jonah’s car for twenty minutes.
She couldn’t bring herself to go in there. Sandra. Mae. The secrets. The lies. Boone. Even Jake. And now Jonah, as she sat in his car, smelling him, remembering the taste of him, the feel of him on top of her.
She needed to get up. She needed to go. She needed to find him. If he cared about her, he could tell her. She wasn’t running. She wasn’t going to be another Sandra O’Hara.
But she still sat.
Another car’s headlights swept over her and the rest of the cars, driving into the driveway before parking. Two figures stepped out from the car. Boone had come after all, and he wasn’t alone. He was holding hands with Jenny as they crossed behind where she sat.
They went inside. The door opened, highlighting the far side of the porch, and Dani saw Kate there. She had a drink in hand, and a koala attached to her arm.
She said once she stood at the bottom of the porch, “For a cop, you’re oblivious tonight.”
Kate jumped, laughing as she turned around.
Dani saw the darkened spots on her friend’s outfit. “Sorry about that.”
“No, no.” Kate dabbed where her drink had spilled. “It’s my fault. You’re right. I’m not real alert tonight.”
Dani pointed to Kate’s arm. “What’s with the dude bear?”
Kate laughed. “The carnie outfits fell through. Bubba didn’t get them in time, or something. I’m not sure. Aiden said we’re going with the animals tonight.” She raised her arm. “I’m Koala One.”
“Who’s Koala Two?”
“Ah. Yes. That’s why I’m not the ‘cop’ tonight. It’s supposed to be Robbie, but he’s not here yet.”
“Oh.” Dani leaned beside Kate against the patio’s frame. “I heard a rumor you’re supposed to kiss?”
“We are.” She slumped next to her, holding her cup with both hands. “I think he has to tell Lori that. At least, that’s what we decided.”
“Gotcha. And if he doesn’t come tonight?”
“Then he didn’t tell Lori.” Kate gave her a pointed look.
Dani frowned. “Oh.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Yeah.”
“My grandma’s alive.”
“What?” Kate did a double take.
Dani shrugged. “I thought I’d share in your misery. My grandmother’s alive, and she just kicked me out of her hospital room.”
“Why’d she do that? Where is she? Your grandma’s alive?!”
“I pushed her to admit something, but she wouldn’t.”
A smile ghosted over Kate’s features. “Is that code to tell me that I’m pushing Robbie?”
Dani gave her a wry smile. “Robbie asked me one night if I thought Lori would make a good mother.” Kate winced, but Dani kept going, “I’m not telling you that to hurt you. I’m telling you that because he’s thinking about his future. And I told him if he was asking a stranger that question, he knew the answer.”
“He kept dating her.”
She touched Kate’s arm. “I haven’t kept up to date with what’s going on, but I wouldn’t worry about it. Robbie seems like a guy who needs a little push. And if he doesn’t, then he’s losing something amazing.”
“Oh.” Kate frowned. Her hand flicked up to her eye. “Thanks, Dani. Maybe we could stay out here and get drunk? Forget waiting on guys, right?” It was a wishful thought, but Kate laughed as she reached into her pocket and produced a walkie-talkie. She pressed the button and spoke into it, “This is Koala One to Chimp Two.”
Static sounded a moment. “This is Chimp Two. Chimp One is still missing in the jungle. What do you need, Koala One?”
Kate whispered over the sound to Dani, “Chimp One is Aiden. Chimp Two is Bubba.”
Dani nodded. “Got it.” She’d never remember that.
Kate pressed the button again. “Koala One has come across Flamingo Two. Flamingo Two is requesting more coconut juice.”
Dani mouthed, “Coconut juice?”
“Booze. And you’re Flamingo Two.”
They heard a reply, “Coconut juice is on its way, Koala One and Flamingo Two. Good to hear you arrived, Flamingo Two.”
Dani took the radio and spoke into it, “Thank you…”
“Chimp Two,” Kate mouthed for her.
Dani finished, “Chimp Two.”
“Anytime, Flamingo Two. Coconut juice’s E.T.A. is two minutes, already en route.”
“Over and out, Chimp Two.”
“Over and out, Flamingo Two.”
Dani asked, “Flamingo Two?”
Kate grinned. “Jonah’s Flamingo One, and it’s because you’re both so pretty.”
“If he doesn’t come tonight, Robbie is a complete idiot.”
The smile vanished from Koala One’s face. “Yeah, well, there’s a reason why he was given the name Baboon.”
Bubba rapped against the door with his knuckles. His hands were full with two glasses. A flamingo sat perched on his face, and its legs spread out down the sides to his ears, holding itself in place like a headband.
Dani burst out laughing.
Kate opened the door, and Bubba handed over two Coronas. He plucked off the flamingo and stood right in front of Dani.