[backdated to last Tuesday]

[idontlikecake]

Jessi looks mildly peeved as she steps towards the bowling alley. No, her brother hasn't done anything at all; he's been very good since she ran into him. She's just having a hectic day, and while Kaden's being good, she's far too aware that he's not happy about her going on a date at all. She doesn't even want to think about all of that right now

Comments

[ohboythepipes]

Danny has been keeping an eye out for Jessi and Justin. He hasn't bought his shoes yet, too busy buying a fountain drink. It would be weird to say that he's nervous. He's not nervous. Danny doesn't get nervous, but then Phoebe had to pick out his clothes for him and... yeah. At least he looks good.

When he sees them by the counter, he walks over, sending Jessi a look and reaching out to grab her hand before the person at the counter can take the card.

"Hey, I thought we had a deal." Danny gives a very pointed look her way and then follows it with a smirk.

He waves at her son and smiles. "Hi, Justin."

[idontlikecake]

Jessi gives Danny a guilty smile, pursing her lips. "Right, right," she says, the smile quickly melting into a stupid grin. She could argue that she's just paying for her shoes not for the bowling, but the last thing the girl behind the counter needs is a who's paying war, and she did promise Danny that he could pay for the bowling. And she's not too good at the conflict thing.

"Hi Mr. Danny," Justin, says, puffing out his cheeks. "I've never been bowling before."

"Yup," Jessi says, reaching down and squeezing her son's hand. She realizes that all of her hands have been captured. She could use a third arm. "Bet you're better than me." She glances up at Danny, shrugging. "I'm horrible at bowling, just to warn you. Mrs. Gutterball."

[ohboythepipes]

When she sends him that stupid grin, he actually smiles back at her. Danny smiles are actually fairly rare. They come more easily around her. He releases her hand, pulls his wallet out, and pays for their shoes and a pair for himself.

"Really? Well, that's too bad," Danny says to Justin. "You're in for a treat. If you like tossing a ball and knockin' things down, you'll like this."

He carries their shoes to some open seats so they can put them on.

"Wouldn't know. I haven't been bowling in awhile. Don't think I'll be much better," Danny explains to her and smiles. "We'll put up the... the things that block the gutters so we all feel like we're bowling champions."

[idontlikecake]

"Oh dear," Jessi says vaguely, glancing away from Danny. She's still smiling, though, as she presses her hands together. She grabs the shoes, squeezing Justin's hand again. "I'm afraid he might gain a taste for knocking things over."

The last time she went bowling was in high school, she suddenly realizes. It kept her out of PE; there was no way she would have survived a real physical education course. Luckily, prep schools were more interested in education, and less interested in making sure you ran laps and climbed ropes.

She picks up Justin, propping him up on her hip as she walks over towards the chairs to put the shoes on.

"Gutter guards are a brilliant idea," Jessi agrees. "But you know, we just need them up for Justin. It's not like we need them."

Justin wriggles out of Jessi's grip as she sits down, staring wide eyed at a man who is rather good at bowling. Yes. He definitely likes the noise bowling makes.