Here With Me (4 page)

“It’s ready,” Cole said a few minutes later, lifting the lid off the large steam pot. 

Mallory stood up and grabbed a plate, taking her place in line.

“So, what exactly am I supposed to d
o?” Ryan asked, slipping in line beside her. 

“Just take what you like.  There are clams and mussels, but there’s also corn and potatoes.”

He nodded and watched her spoon out a large helping.

“You look skeptical,” she said.

“No, not skeptical, just curious.”  He took the spoon from her and began filling his plate.

She walked back to her spot on the sand and sat down.  Ryan made his way back to where he’d been sitting, but then looked over at Mallory, silently asking her permission to join her.  When she smiled up at him, he came over and sat down next to her and began picking at his food, eyeing it strangely.

“You look scared.”

“Would you laugh at me if I said I was?” he asked, giving her a sideways glance and a half smile.

“Maybe just a little,” she said, prying open a clam and popping it in her mouth.

“You make it look easy.”

“It is.  Just give it a try.  You act like you’ve never eaten seafood before.”

“I’ve eaten it.  I’ve just never been a big fan.  I prefer mine breaded and fried.  This looks a little raw for my taste.”

“Well, a clam bake is the wrong place for you then.”

“I’m always up for trying new things,” Ryan said as he fumbled with a clam.

“Here, let me help,” she said, reaching over and taking the shell from his hands.  She cracked it open and after scraping out the meat, handed it back to him.

“Alright, here I go,” Ryan said and then slowly brought the shell to his lips, looking at her hesitantly.

“Go on,” she encouraged him.

He quickly flung the shell back, sliding the clam into his mouth.  He closed his eyes and swallowed hard and then set the shell back on his plate. 

“Well?  You survived at least.”

“Not as bad as I anticipated…a little slimy going down, but it’s pretty good actually,” he said, picking up another clam.

“I’m glad you approve of our strange food.”

“I didn’t say I approved of it all.  I still haven’t tried those
stuffies and hot weenies.”

“I’ll win you over,” she pr
omised.

****

Mallory hadn’t realized practically everyone was gone until Nate walked up to her and Ryan.  They had spent the rest of the evening talking and she had gotten so wrapped up in their conversation she hadn’t paid attention to much of anything else.

“We should probably get going,” Nate said, looking at his watch.

Ryan looked over to Mallory and she thought she detected a look of disappointment in his eyes.

“Yeah.  I’ll meet you back at the car in a minute,” Ryan said.  Nate nodded and walked away and then Ryan looked back to her. “I’m glad we came tonight.”

“Me too.”

“Maybe we could hang out again?” he asked.

“I’d like that
.”

“Can I give you a call some time?” he asked, taking his phone out of his pocket.

“Sure,” she said and then gave him her number.

“I’ll see you later then,” he said
, standing up.

He smiled at her once more and she watched him until his silhouette faded into the darkness.

****

“How’d it go with Ryan?’  Kenna
asked as they were cleaning up.

“Fine,” Mallory replied, not wanting to read too deeply into the connection she thought she’d made with Ryan. “He said he’d call me.”

“Sounds promising.”

“You seemed pretty enamored with Nate.”

“Um…I think it’s the other way around. 
He
was enamored with
me
.”

“I think you scared him,” Mallory laughed.

“Maybe a little,” she agreed with a wink. “I’ll loosen him up.”

Mallory just shook her head and continued picking up. 
Cole walked over, carrying the pot they’d cooked the clams in.  She could hear the sound of water slushing as he got closer and then he poured the pot full of sea water onto the fire, causing it to sizzle and then fizzle out as a plume of gray smoke spilled into the air.

“I think that’s everything,” Cole said as he stirred the ashes with a stick to make sure the fire was out. 

“I think so,” Mallory agreed as she picked up the garbage bag and began walking towards the parking lot.  Cole and Kenna followed behind carrying the pot, rakes, and buckets and then they loaded everything into the back of Kenna’s Volkswagen.

“I’ll see you guys later,” she said
, getting into the little car and with a wave, she sputtered out of the parking lot.

“She’s such a flake sometimes,” Mallory said with a laugh.

“She’s your friend,” Cole pointed out.

“She’s your friend too.”

“Only because she’s your friend.  You and Kenna are kind of like a package deal.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she agreed as she turned and walked towards her car with Cole following at her side.

“So, you and that Ryan guy,” Cole began hesitantly. “What’s up with you guys?  Are you going to be seeing him again?”

“I don’t know. 
Maybe.”

“What’s his story?”

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said.
  What do you know about him?”

“Not much.  He seems like a nice guy though,” Mallory said, opening the car door and as she looked at Cole, she could see the doubt in his eyes.
“C’mon, Cole.  Don’t look at me like that.  You always do that.”

“I do not,” he said defensively.

“Yes, you do,” she insisted.

“Only because I care about you.
  It just makes me a little nervous, you going out with someone you hardly know.”

“Who knows if he’ll even call?  But, if he does, I
am
going to go out with him and there’s no reason you need to worry about anything.”

“Fine,” he said
, smiling as he held his hands up in defeat.

“I’ll see you later,” Mallory said, getting in the car and turning on the ignition.

He shut the door for her and waved as she pulled away.  She looked back in her rearview mirror at Cole who was walking towards his car.  He was such a good friend, but sometimes he was too protective.  She wished he would just forget about what they’d once had and move on. 

Mallory felt like a teenager
over the next couple of days, finding herself glancing at her phone, hoping Ryan would call.  She even found herself checking the phone to make sure the battery hadn’t died.  She tried to remind herself she was a grown woman and if Ryan didn’t call, that was just the way it was going to be.  If he didn’t call, she would be fine…disappointed, but fine.  

She was beginning to think he wasn’t going to call, but then her phone rang as she was walking up the stairs to the front door of her house
after a long shift at the hospital.  She was exhausted and her feet hurt and she couldn’t wait to climb into a hot shower and settle in on the couch for a night of nonsensical television.  The startle of the phone caused her to drop the keys she’d been fiddling with and she began fumbling through her purse, trying to find where the phone had disappeared to.  She finally felt it underneath her wallet and managed to pull it out on the fifth ring and flipped it open without bothering to look at the number.

“Hello?” she asked quickly.

“Hi.  Is this Mallory?” a deep voice asked through the receiver and she instantly recognized it as Ryan’s.

“Yes, it is.”

“Hey, Mallory.  This is Ryan.”

“Hey.  How are you?”

“I’m good.  I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner.  Work’s been keeping me busy.”

“That’s okay.  I’ve been busy too, but I’m glad you called,” she said and then wondered if that sounded too desperate.

“I was hoping you’d have dinner with me tomorrow.”

“
That’d be nice,” she said without any hesitation.

“Great.  Any suggestions on where we should go?”

Mallory thought for a moment before replying.

“There’s a restaurant called
Bandaloop you might like.”

“
Bandaloop?  Sounds interesting,” he said and Mallory could picture his skeptical look on the other end of the receiver, probably imaging more strange food. “Can I pick you up at seven?”

“Sounds good.
  I’ll text you my address.”

“Alright.
  I’ll see you tomorrow then,” he said and then hung up.

Sliding
the phone back into her purse, she bent down to pick up the keys that were still resting on the concrete.

****

It had been forever since she’d last been on a date and as she got ready she was nervous.  Work and taking care of the house and her mother took up most of her time.  Meeting Ryan had been by complete chance.  She doubted it would actually go anywhere, but she was still looking forward to going out. 

It was nearly seven o’clock when she fin
ished getting ready.  The doorbell rang and after looking quickly into the mirror once more, hoping the long, black skirt and white cotton top was okay, she skipped downstairs where her mother was sitting on the couch reading.

Mallory walked over and opened the door.  Ryan stood in the glow of the setting sun and she smiled at the sight of him.  He was wearing a pair of jeans and a dark green polo shirt, which made his eyes stand out.  His hair was gelled neatly and she noticed how smooth his face looked.

“Hi,” he said with a smile.

“H
ey.  Come inside while I get my purse,” she said, motioning him in.

Her mother
looked up and eyed them curiously from her spot on the couch.

“Hi,” she said, staring at Ryan. “Who’s this?”

“This is Ryan,” Mallory replied. “Ryan, this is my mom, Claire.”

“Nice to meet you,” Ryan said, walking over and extending his hand.  Her mother took it hesitantly.  Ryan probably didn’t notice, but Mallory did.  Their eyes met and Mallory’s got big as she mouthed,
“Seriously, Mom?”
  Her mother just shrugged her shoulders though and smiled at her daughter.  Mallory glared at her, silently telling her they’d discuss this later.

“Alright
, Ryan, we should get going,” Mallory said, pulling her purse over her shoulder and waiting by the door.

“Have fun,” her mom called as th
ey made their way out the door.  Mallory didn’t say anything, but Ryan said goodbye to her mother and she followed him out to his dark blue Wrangler.  He held the door open for her and she climbed inside. 

“Alright,” he said, starting the car. “You’re going to have to guide me.”

“Take a right at the corner.”

He eased the Jeep away from the curb and headed to the restaurant.  Once there, he held open the red door for her and she led him inside.

“Nice place,” Ryan said once they were seated at a table in the corner.  He picked up a menu and began going over it. “Very swanky.”

“Yeah, it’s one of Kennebunkport’s jewels.”

“It’s one of those hippy organic places too,” he smirked, pointing to the statement on the menu, boasting the use of all organic products.

“
What’s wrong with using fresh ingredients?”

“Nothing at all.
  It’s just very East Coast.”

“It’s good, so stop making fun of it.”

He just grinned and the waitress came over to take their order.  Then they were left alone with the awkwardness that was always a first date.

“I didn’t know you lived with your mom,” he
began.

“Yeah, I still live at home. 
By choice, not necessity.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it.  I was just surprised.”

“I had big plans when I graduated from nursing school.  I wanted to join Doctors Without Borders or the Peace Corp or something like that so I could see the world and help people or at least work in a hospital in the inner city or some depressed area.”

“So you’re a do-gooder?” he said with an amused smile.

“I hope you’re just joking,” she said, taking a drink of water. “I hope you don’t think helping people in need is a bad thing.”

“Take it easy, Mallory.  I was kidding.  I think it’s great you wanted to do that.  So, what stopped you then?”

“My mom got sick.  Multiple Sclerosis, actually.”

“I’m sorry.”

“When we first got the diagnosis, I thought she’d be okay, but she started having spells right away and I knew I couldn’t leave her alone.  She’d never agree to move in with my grandma and my sister, Paige, well…she’s a little too caught up with her perfect life in Connecticut to care about my mom.  So, I was the only option.”

“I have to say it’s very admirable of you to step up and take care of your mom.”

“I’m not looking for praise and I’m happy to do it, I just sometimes think how different things might’ve been if my mom hadn’t gotten sick.  I mean, who knows if I actually would’ve gone through with the whole ‘do-gooder’ thing as you put it, but at least I would’ve had the chance.”

“It could still happen.  You never know,” he said encouragingly.

“Maybe, but I’m resound to my fate of living in Kennebunkport, which actually isn’t bad. I love it here.  I just like to pretend the whole small town thing isn’t for me, when I think it actually is.”

“There could be a lot worse places to be stuck.”

“I can’t argue with that.  What about you?” she asked, buttering a piece of bread from the basket the waitress had brought over. “What was it like where you grew up?  Arizona, I mean.  I’ve never been there.  I just imagine cactus and cowboys,” she laughed.

“There are cactus and cowboys, but it’s not like the movies portray.  It’s a whole lot different than Maine, I can tell you that.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Well, I grew up near Phoenix, so it was hot, obviously.”

“What’d you do for fun?”

“Hiked, drove out to the lake to cool off sometimes.”

“There’s actually water in Arizona?” Mallory asked through a laugh.  Ryan just grinned and nodded.

“Yes, there’s water in Arizona.  We even have indoor plum
bing,” he said with a grin.

“T
he brochure just keeps sounding nicer and nicer.”

He just smiled and shook his head.

“Is all your family out west then?” Mallory continued.

“What little family I have is, yes.”

“So you come from a small family then?”

“
It’s just my dad and my brother.  It was always Everett, Philip and me.”

“You call your dad by his first name?” she laughed.

“Not to his face.”

“And your mom?”
Mallory asked and the second the words left her lips, she regretted it.  He hadn’t mentioned her, so why had she?

“She passed away when I was four.”

“Oh,” she said, not knowing what else to say. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize. It’s okay.  It’s life.  My mother passed away, there’s no tip toeing around it,” he said, matter-of-factly and then turned the conversation back to her. “So, you mentioned your mom and your sister.  What about your dad?”

The corners of her mouth turned into a slight frown as she thought about her non-existent father.  She set the bread down she’d been picking at and then looked up at Ryan.

“Sore subject?” he asked and she nodded.

“I don’t remember my dad.  He left when I was really little.”

“And you haven’t heard
much from him since?”

“Not a word.  I must’ve been two the last time I saw him.  Last I heard
, he was working the oil fields in North Dakota or something.  Who knows though?  I don’t really care actually.  He’s not worth my time,” she said and then suddenly stopped, realizing she was rambling. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go on like that.”

“You’re fine,” he said and he reached across the table the rested his hand over hers for a moment before the waitress came with their entrees.

“How’s your dinner?” she asked Ryan after he’d taken a few bites.

“Not bad for a hippie meal,” he laughed.

“I’m glad you approve.”

He smiled again and Mallory felt her cheeks burn for a moment before smiling back.

****

“The beach looks different tonight than the night of the clam bake,” Ryan commented as they walked along the gray sand.

“How so?” Mallory asked, looking out into the black ocean.

“I don’t know.  Quieter, I guess.”

“Yeah.  We don’t have the distraction of Kenna attacking Nate,” she laughed and Ryan joined her.

“Truth is
, he kinda liked it.”

“He did?” Mallory asked, raising an eyebrow.

“He won’t admit it, but he was quite taken with your unconventional best friend,” he said with a grin. “He may appear to be a strong southern gentleman, but he likes a take-charge woman, like Kenna.”

“Take-charge,” she repeated thinking of Kenna. “That’s just a polite way of saying domineering or obnoxious.”

“No, it’s not.  I never said Kenna was obnoxious.  Do you think she is?”

“She can be,” Mallory admitted.

“You two seem so different. How’d you ever become friends?’

“You think I’m that different from Kenna?”

“Well, yeah,” he said almost as if it were a stupid question. “You seem very different.”

“So, I wouldn’t be the kind of girl Nate would like then?”

“I’m sure he’d like you just fine.”

“But I’m not a take-charge kind of gal,” she implied.

He started laughing and then stopped in his tracks, causing her to do the same. 

“You certainly like to read int
o things, don’t you?”

“No. 
I just like to ask questions.”

“You are a take-charge kind of gal, as you put it.  You’re just more…subtle than Kenna,” Ryan said, pausing for a
moment to find the right word. “You’re smart, and I like that.”

As he looked at her, the moon created just enough lig
ht to accentuate his features.  Her heartbeat quickened and she wanted him to kiss her.  He reached over and took her hand, holding it for a moment before curling his fingers around hers.

“Are you nervous?” he asked and she shook her head. “You seem nervous.”

“I’m not nervous,” she lied.

Her heart was pounding and she found herself leaning in towards him.  His breath was warm and sweet as he reached up and stroked her cheek before gently kissing her.  His lips lingered for a moment, before slowly pulling back.  Their eyes met and then he kissed her once more.