When we rounded a corner to Jon's street I realized I'd never seen his house. I wasn't sure what I was expecting but it definitely wasn't neon yellow shutters on dark gray walls. "Your house is very…bright."
He scoffed. "That paint color looks like a lemon that's been exposed to radiation. The house came like that, which was basically why I could afford it. I'm afraid of heights so I can't do it myself and I never really got around to hiring someone else to do it. Bugs me every time I come up the driveway."
That monologue gave me more information about Jon than I'd picked up on him in weeks. I was intrigued.
"I'm not afraid of heights and I'm actually a half-decent painter. I could do it for you some weekend," I offered before my brain could catch up with my words. Showcasing my agility and fearlessness was probably not the best way to keep things on the down low but he hated the shutters and I had the means to fix it. It wasn't so unnatural to want to help out a friend, was it? My entire career was based on helping people! Well, kids, but still. People.
He eyed me dubiously. "Are you sure? It'd probably take all day and you have to have better things to do than that."
"Literally all I do on weekends is watch too many movies with Faye and volunteer at the animal shelter. I can paint your shutters so you don't have to live in a UFO."
Jon's laugh rang out and I was oddly satisfied. "Then it's a deal, Super Painter. At least let me take you to a nice dinner for your services."
"Deal," I smiled, feeling more at ease about this stupid party already. Though the situation was stressful, Jon himself was not. He had a surprisingly calming presence. I might even miss him after this whole mess was over.
"Lori you came!" a small voice shrieked as my legs were assaulted by a pair of skinny arms. Kaylee.
"I told you she would," Jon chuckled as he rubbed his daughter's head affectionately. My heart spasmed. Those kids went from being horribly neglected to being loved and it was a beautiful thing to see them so happy.
"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!" a second little voice hollered. "Look at me!"
Cindy sparkled in the evening light. She was completely covered in multicolor glitter. It glinted in her hair, on her face, and all over her clothes.
"Guess who sneezed into the loose glitter?" A spunky older woman walked over to us, eyes filled with humor.
"What were you doing with glitter?" Jon groaned. "I thought I banned it from the house after the glitter fight last Christmas."
The woman grinned shiftily. "I may or may not have let the kids make some of the party decorations."
"Mooooooooom," Jon complained, burying his face in his hands. "Why do you do these things to me?"
"Sometimes little girls just need glitter, dear." His mother finally seemed to notice my presence and gave me a warm smile as she looked me over. "You must be Lori Latham! It's so nice to finally meet you, Jon's talked of little else for months."
"Mom," he said warningly.
"What?" she asked, the picture of innocence. "The girl has to know you're crazy about her."
Great, just what I feared. I blushed but I wasn't sure how much of it was playing a part. Mrs. Pickering was clearly appraising me so I returned the favor. She was attractive, around sixty, and had a few streaks of gray blending easily with her blonde hair. It was clear that Jon had gotten his eyes from his mother.
"Gina Pickering," she smiled, offering her hand to me. I took it and gave a firm shake.
"Nice to meet you." And it was. I had survived the first introduction unscathed. One down, who knows how many more to go.
I stuck to Jon like Velcro and was dragged from person to person. His sister, Ariana. His brother, Mark. His best friends, the Harknesses, and their kids. His father. I was surprised how kind and genuinely welcoming everyone was of me, which made me wonder just what sort of things Jon had said. I hadn't exactly been very forthcoming with him, or very warm or welcoming of his affections.
So why were all these people being so nice?
"And this is my neighbor, Jason Morgan," Jon introduced. "He occasionally babysits the girls."
I gawked at the beanpole in front of me. He gawked right back. "Nice to meet you, Jason," I finally found my voice.
"Jace," the pink-haired boy said firmly. "Hardly anyone calls me Jason."
"Hey, Jon, can you help me with the birthday cake?" Ariana called from across the yard, saving me from formulating a response.
"I'll be right back," he assured me before yelling in response. "Coming!" He hurried across the grass to handle the cake situation and I didn't speak again until he was out of earshot.
"You said you had a thing tonight," I mumbled, not quite believing that my sort-of partner-in-crime babysat my sort-of boyfriend's kids.
"And you said you had a date," he muttered dazedly. "But seriously, Jonathan? Of all people. This isn't even that small of a city! What are the odds? Is everyone I know connected to some sort of conspiracy?"
"Shh!" I implored, glancing around. "This isn't the time or the place to be talking about this."
"Dude, a serial killer is dating my next-door neighbor!" he blurted, rubbing his hands together gleefully. "That's sick!"
"Jace," I said menacingly, getting in his face. "I'm serious, I don't want anyone overhearing."
He held his hands up in a placating gesture. "Okay, okay. But you have to admit that it's a crazy coincidence. You're connected to me and I'm connected to Nick."
"About that…" I hedged. "Don't bring up Nick to Jonathan. He doesn't know I'm friends with him."
He looked so startled his freckles were more pronounced than ever. "But isn't he like, your best friend?"
"Well, yeah, sort of, but how am I supposed to explain how I met him or how long I've known him? He might get the wrong idea and think I'm cheating on him."
Jace shrugged. "Your call, dude. I won't say anything but he'll probably find out sooner or later. Especially if you two get closer."
"I'll deal with it when it happens," I explained, a little insulted I was getting relationship advice from a kid who probably hadn't ever been on a date about a relationship that wasn't even real. Turning to see Jon emerge with the cake, beaming in my direction. I returned the smile shakily. Well, it wasn't real for me. It was painfully real for him.
"If you say so. Now if you'll excuse me, there's a corner slice calling my name." Jace slithered into the crowd and disappeared, which was quite a feat considering his hair color.