“She said yes! We're going for coffee!” Danny said as he jogged up to catch up with his sister's long strides. Even in heels, Daniella walked faster than anyone he'd ever met.
“Well duh, did you think she was going to say no?”
“For a second there? Yes! You really need to take the interrogating strangers thing down a notch, Dan! You could have scared her off.” Danny admonished.
“Please. If it wasn't for me, you'd still be pining for her like some junior high school boy with his neighbor’s hot mom.” Daniella replied, dismissively.
“No way! I was going to talk to her soon. You don't know my plans.” He pouted, knowing she was right about him.
“Yes way. I know you! You were going to pine and then whine for years about the girl that got away.”
“Nope. I was going to ask her out on Tuesday!”
“Tuesday? Yeah right. Probably a random Tuesday- thirty years from now!” Daniella scoffed.
“Just say ‘Thank you’ and buy me an extra nice Christmas present and we'll call it squaresies.”
“Fine! Thank you for being overbearing and pushy. Thank you for not knowing when to take a hint. Thank you for- ow.” Danny held his abdomen where Daniella elbowed him.
“You deserved that. And you're very welcome. Now I need to go Wiki Austria because all I know about that place is Arnold Schwarzenegger and that it’s not Germany.”
“Why? I'll just ask Josephine when I see her in about, um...25 minutes.”
“There's something not exactly odd about her, but something is definitely different. I mean that bag she has is a genuine Birkin and not a knock off. The one she had in particular, I used Google, by the way to verify this, costs nearly a hundred and fifty thousand dollars, Danny. Those adorable ankle boots she was wearing? You don’t even want to know. And I sincerely doubt that all the people from wherever she’s from in Austria have a bodyguard when they travel.”
“What are you talking about? What body guard? She was alone.”
“Did you even listen? Her Uncle Oliver? hello? She corrected herself from saying bodyguard but I heard.”
“Daniella, it doesn't matter. Stay out of this. Please! Stay out of this. I’d rather ask her myself instead of snooping around.”
“I'm not snooping. It's research. Stop looking at me like that.” Green eyes identical to her own glared at her until she threw her hands up in surrender.
“Okay, okay. I'll let you find out more about her. But you have to tell me everything, okay? And don't forget Gwen’s ballet recital is Sunday afternoon.”
“I won't. Promise! I'll be there.” Danny opened her car door and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
“Good. We're going out for dinner afterwards. Call me tonight and tell me everything.”
“Yeah, yeah! Just drive safe, nosey.”
She beeped her horn as she drove out of the parking lot.
“Crap. She was my ride.” Danny grumbled to no one in particular. He sighed and quickly calculated how long it would take to go home, get his car and be back in time for his coffee date. “Damn, 5 minutes to spare is cutting it close but worth it in case Josephine needs a ride home. Why am I talking to myself in a parking lot?”
He hailed a cab and willed himself to stay calm during the seemingly endless taxi ride to his apartment.
“You're late.” Josephine commented tapping her wrist with a wry smile.
“I know! I’m sorry. I had to go get my car because Daniella drove us here an-” Danny explained, still out of breath from running through the mall. She looked him up and down, quizzically.
“Have you changed your outfit?”
“Uh.”
She smiled knowingly when he hesitated.
“And put on cologne?”
“Can I pretend that I just smell like this naturally to get cool points?”
Josephine laughed, which was music to his burning red ears.
“So, um, do you need a foot rub?” Danny blurted out randomly, as they stared awkwardly at each other, neither knowing what to do or say next.
“I’m sorry, what?” She tilted her head, puzzled but expectant. A tiny unsure smile played upon her lips as she waited for his reply.
“Because you’ve been running through my mind for a while so, um, your feet must be tired?”
“Oh! Oh, Dear!” Josephine covered her mouth with her hand in mock horror.
“I’m sorry, Daniel but that was really, very terrible.”
“Um I can’t believe I just said that.” Danny mumbled, shamefaced yet sporting a goofy grin.
“Yes, it was quite horrible.” She replied, grinning widely back.
“That was just my attempt at breaking the ice, okay? I’m so much better than that.” He laughed, pleased with himself that he successfully put her at ease, while Josephine tried and failed to control helpless giggles.
“It worked. The ice has completely melted away.” She sighed, contentedly. They started walking in amiable silence, not sure where to go but a stroll at that moment seemed appropriate.
“Listen, I'm sorry about earlier. My sister comes on a little strong but she's really sweet if you give her a chance.” She waved his apology off with a shake of her head.
“I like her. I doubt anyone tells her what to do. She knows her own mind, as well as yours.” Josephine teased, tucking her hands into her dark red coat.
“You aren't kidding there. So are you hungry? Would you like to get some lunch or an early dinner or just coffee?
“Can we share a banana split?” she asked hopefully.
“Um sure, it’s the middle of winter but okay.” Danny agreed, uncertainly.
“I saw it in a film on television last night. I know it sounds odd for you but I’ve never had one before.” She confessed, sheepishly tugging on a lock of her hair. Danny smiled sympathetically.
“Well then if the lady wants a banana split then that’s what we’re going to have.”
“How very gallant of you, sir.” Josephine chirped, accepting the elbow he offered, looping her arm through his. He winked at her and flexed his bicep reveling in the brief flustered look on her face before she looked away, as he lead them through the mall.
“What’s it like in Austria at Christmas time?”
“Oh it’s wonderful, Daniel! The Christmas markets! The food! The carols on Christmas Eve! It’s my favorite time of year. This is the first time I’ve been far from home at this season.” Josephine admitted her voice filled with wistful melancholy.
“I bet you’re homesick, but at least you get to enjoy the holidays in a different way.” Danny offered in consolation. She nodded in agreement even if she didn’t look very convinced.
“What’s your favorite part of Christmas?”
“The forgiveness...” Josephine answered absent-mindedly.
“Forgiveness? I thought you’d say gifts or something.” Danny shot her a bemused look.
“Oh yes, yes. That’s what I meant to say.” She amended hurriedly.
“Uh Okay... well, I love the music. I could listen to Christmas songs all year long.” He hummed along to “Jingle Bells” badly, in an attempt to cheer Josephine up. She shook her head in dismay, trying hard not laugh again.
“Even though they’ve played them constantly since November?”
“Yes! Especially because of that. And we can’t forget about my fixation with festive sweaters.”
“I love festive sweaters too!” Josephine gasped, obviously elated, and began to dramatically unbutton her coat. She held the fabric apart to reveal a multicolored scenic winter wonderland reindeer embroidered sweater that on its best day would be considered tacky, but the absolute beaming pride on Josephine’s face was his favorite.
“You wear that shirt really, really well, Josephine.” Danny said smiling indulgently at her.
“Thank you! My landlord's mother made it for me. She's very good with knitting.” she announced happily. “Would you like her to make you one? She sells lots of things from the back of her car. It’s very convenient.”
“Oh no, no. I don't think I could pull it off as well as you do.” Danny bit the inside of his cheek trying not to laugh. Nevertheless his eyes still twinkled with mirth.
“You're laughing at me! I can see it in your eyes. I have four more of these! Don't laugh!” Josephine playfully scolded him as he gave up the ghost and cackled loudly.
“I’m sorry you just looked so cute showing it off.” He explained, wiping his eyes, still chuckling.
“You tricked me.” she pouted and, just as dramatically as before, re-buttoned her coat.
“I couldn’t help it! Honestly though I own one with a light-up Santa Claus on it, so I can’t judge.”
Josephine giggled at the image of the towering 6’3 Danny in such a sweater.
––––––––
After polishing off a banana split between them, they sat chatting in a small booth side by side. Danny rested his elbow on the table, his body turned to face her.
“So tell me about yourself. How did you become one of those hugging people?”
“I hadn’t realized that was an actual thing to do until I saw Dwayne and Aurelia offering the service the weekend before last. After I hugged them, I asked if I could join and well, here we are.”
“That’s really sweet. Are you a natural hugger or something?”
“I believe I am. I didn’t have the most affectionate of childhoods but I loved hugging all of those strangers today. So yes, I shall say I am. Are you?”
“Am I a natural hugger? Definitely! I give the best hugs or so everyone tells me.”
“You look very inviting. Never mind, I didn’t say that.” Josephine covered her mouth, shaking her head in disbelief at her own words. Danny hid his grin and quickly changed the subject.
“You have such a great smile, Daniel. You should smile more.”
Danny blushed a deep red and leaned across the booth towards her.
“Josephine, listen I-”
“Daniel, I’m so sorry but I have to get going now. It’s getting late and I have to meet my uncle in a few minutes.”
“Really? Okay let me just pay for this stuff and I’ll walk you out.” He started to slide out of his seat but she stopped him.
“There’s no need but thank you, Daniel. My Uncle is just down the hall.”
“Oh. Okay. Can I call you tonight?” He felt deflated that their date was ending so abruptly.
“I’d love that.” Josephine quickly wrote down her phone number and kissed him on the cheek.
“I’m so sorry. I had so much fun talking to you. Bye.”
Danny grabbed her hand, impulsively, and she turned back to face him.
“Wait. Have dinner with me tomorrow. Please.”
“Yes” she answered breathlessly, smiling widely. “I’ll meet you in front of your bookstore tomorrow at five. Is that okay?”
“That sounds perfect.” Danny stood up, still holding her hand. He leaned down and kissed the palm of her hand.
“Bye, Josephine.” She looked up into his eyes, in a dreamlike daze. She shook herself out of her stupor, grabbed her coat and bag, and stumbled through the crowd of late afternoon shoppers as Danny stood staring longingly after her retreating form.