Chapter Seven
Two weeks later….
Johanna was sitting at her desk typing out the latest schedule when there was a knock at the door.
“Come in.” she called out.
“Hey J.” Dan said entering the room.
Johanna turned to face Dan. “Didn’t you go out with the others?”
Dan shook his head. “You know clubbing isn’t my thing.”
“Yeah, but I figured since this was your first night off in two weeks you’d want to get out.” Johanna said.
“I could say the same for you.” He told her.
Johanna shrugged. “There’s always work to be done.”
“Why don’t you take a break?” Dan suggested.
Johanna looked over at the stack of papers on her desk. “I really can’t…”
“Sure you can. You deserve a night off as much as me and the guys.” He said.
“But…” she started.
“No buts.” He said taking her hand pulling her into a standing position.
“Okay, okay…but only for like an hour.” She said.
“I’ll take what I can get.” He replied.
The two headed downstairs into the kitchen.
“Hungry?” Dan asked.
“Depends.” She replied.
“On what?” he questioned.
“Are you cooking?” she asked.
“Haha, so funny I forgot to laugh.” Dan said.
“Riight. Yeah, I am kinda hungry.” She said seriously.
“Okay, I’ll get something going and you pick out a movie.” He told her.
Johanna nodded and headed into the living room. “Any movie I want?”
“Whatever.” Dan replied.
“This could be fun.” Johanna said sorting through the DVDs. “Hmm…no Jim Carrey, no Adam Sandler…ah yes!”
A few moments later Dan emerged from the kitchen carrying some sandwiches, chips, and drinks.
“What’d ya pick?” he asked handing her some food and settling down on the couch.
“You’ll see.” She told him sitting down next to him and hitting the play button.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. ‘City of Angels’? We’ve watched this like fifty times.” Dan moaned.
“Hush up Danny! You said I could pick whatever I wanted.” She said.
“I’ve got to learn to keep my mouth shut.” He said.
Johanna hit his shoulder. “Just watch.”
The two sat quietly eating their food until Nicholas Cage first appeared on the screen and Johanna busted out laughing.
“You okay there?” Dan asked.
“Yeah…I’m fine.” She said between giggles.
Dan just looked at her.
“Umm…Grace and I have an inside joke with this movie.” She told him.
“Which is?” he asked.
“Did you ever notice how Nicholas Cage sounds like he’s constipated when he talks? He’s all like do you, breath really heavy, like Ernest Hemingway.” Johanna said.
“Riight. You and Grace have a lot of time on your hands.” Dan said.
“Indeed. Now hush.” Johanna said.
“Me, hush? You’re the one…” Dan started but Johanna covered his mouth with her hand.
Neither of them spoke for the rest of the movie. When the movie was over Johanna stopped the DVD and wiped her eyes.
“Like you didn’t know how it ended.” Dan said.
“I know, but still. It’s so romantic.” She told him.
“Yeah, death, way romantic.” He replied.
Johanna whacked him over the head with a pillow. “Not that part. The part about how he’d do it all over again even though he knew what would happen.”
“I suppose.” He said.
“Do you have a napkin or something?” she asked.
Dan looked around. “Not unless you want one with like green…”
“Stop right there.” She told him.
“Here.” He said wiping the tears off her cheek with his hand.
Johanna had no idea why but she really wanted to kiss Dan at that moment.
“You okay J?” Dan asked.
Johanna nodded and very slowly leaned forward and brushed her lips against his. After they broke apart there was a moment of silence.
“What was…” Dan started, but was interrupted by the opening of the front door.
“Hey dudes. We’re back.” Ashley said walking into the room.
“Hi guys.” Johanna said acting like nothing happened. “Have a good time?”
Grace said something but Johanna wasn’t listening. She was trying to figure out what Dan was going to say. Somehow she didn’t think it was going to be what she wanted to hear.
Chapter 8