Disclaimer: I am not making any money off of this story.
Author’s Notes: This story takes place in April of 1998, approximately two years before Perfectly Perfect in my Think Twice universe. This is a Dan and Hallie story so if you have big problems with that couple you may not want to read any further.
Thanks to Teresa, as always, for her help with this story. Thanks also go out to Chelsea and my friend from another fandom, Danielle, for giving me some suggestions. I’d also like to thank my sister Christina for always rolling her eyes whenever I asked her what she thought of my latest additions to the story. *g*
The title of this story was inspired by a line in the song Drive Away by The All American Rejects.
P.S. I Love You
By Stephanie
Chapter 1
Dan wandered up the path to his apartment. He was about to spend another evening…alone. Clinching his fists, Dan thought, ‘Why is this bothering me so much tonight? It’s what I’ve been doing for years and I’ve always been happy with it.’ Dan could not figure out what his problem was. He was suddenly tired of being alone. Dan was friends with a few women from work but they were either already married or in serious relationships. Take them away and he hardly knew very many women…except for Hallie Belden. ‘And she’s just a friend; a very good friend,’ Dan thought to himself. Dan and Hallie talked several times a week. Hallie, who was currently working at a law firm in Chicago, always had plenty of stories to tell Dan about her work. Since Dan himself was a police officer they often compared notes on the types of people they encountered in their work. Dan admitted that he found himself waking up each day wondering if Hallie would call. However, Dan would not even entertain the idea that Hallie was the reason keeping him from getting involved with anyone. Despite popular opinion, there had never been much between Dan and Hallie besides a great friendship and neither of them had ever wanted more than that.
Dan reached his apartment and was now fumbling in his pocket for his keys. ‘Got it.’ Dan held up the key, unlocked the door, and prepared for yet another lonely evening.
******
Dan awoke early the next morning to the sound of the telephone ringing.
"Hello?"
"Dan! I’m here!"
"Hallie, what are you talking about?"
"I’m here in Sleepyside. I’m at Crabapple Farm. I just got here about twenty minutes ago."
"What are you doing here? You didn’t tell me you were coming here and we just talked two days ago…on Wednesday."
"I know, I know. Sorry about that. My boss gave me a surprise day off so I decided to come up here for my long weekend. My return flight is on Sunday afternoon. I have to be back at the office on Monday. So what’s cooking? Any big plans this weekend you can include me in?" Hallie asked.
"Nice boss," Dan commented.
Hallie laughed. "Yep."
"Umm, I don’t think I have any plans for this weekend."
"Cool then. Hey, how about we have dinner tonight with Brian, Mart, Jim, Honey, and Di? If they can’t do it tonight we’ll try tomorrow."
"Sure, that sounds fun. To tell you the truth, I don’t see them as much as I should, especially considering we all live so close to each other," Dan said.
"Yeah, well I guess this area has really grown since you guys were kids. It’s amazing how ten years changes a place. Well, look, Mart just walked in. I’ll talk to him and the others and then we can figure out a restaurant or something."
"Okay, bye," Dan said.
"Yep, talk to you later," Hallie replied.
Dan hung up the phone. He always felt so great after talking to Hallie. He couldn’t wait to see her later that day.
******
Sighing, Hallie hung up the phone. It was always good to talk to Dan. They had a lot in common with each other, plus he was easy to talk to. Lately though, she had been feeling unfulfilled. She had struggled with her thoughts for a while until she finally admitted to herself that she wanted more than just friendship in her relationship with Dan. Apparently, though, Dan did not. He had never made any kind of move or tried to be anything other than her best friend. ‘Oh well," Hallie thought, "maybe I’ll try to drop a hint this weekend."
"Hello…earth to Hallie"
"Oh, sorry, Mart. I was just thinking," Hallie said.
"You just told the phone you were going to talk to me and the next thing I know you’re staring into space. Must be awfully interesting out there," Mart mused.
"Not funny," Hallie retorted, contrary to the smile on her face. "I was talking to Dan. We thought it would be fun for all of us to have dinner tonight so I’m going to call the others. And, I thought maybe you could suggest good restaurants." Hallie’s voice sounded not quite natural and she wouldn’t look at Mart when she said the last statement.
" Ha. Ha. That’s not funny either. And, yes, Yours Truly can tell you where to find the finest dining in town," said Mart.
"Good. Now, I’m going to call them," Hallie said.
"Okay, and I have a few things I’ve got to do upstairs and then I’ll tell you about the restaurants."
" ‘Kay."
******
It worked out that everyone was free for dinner that night. After much debating it was decided that they would go to good old Wimpy’s. Wimpy’s had since passed on to new owners, but you could still find the old favorites there and they tasted as good as ever.
"After deciding on hamburgers all the way around, they began to reminisce about Wimpy’s."
"Remember how we used to come here just about everyday?" Honey asked.
Everyone laughed. "I think they made more than half their profits off of us," Jim said.
"Yeah, and at least half of that was probably from all those hamburgers you ate," Brian said, looking at Mart.
"Come on you guys…you liked them too," Mart said, obviously embarrassed.
Everyone laughed except Di, who looked like she was about to defend Mart. However, before she had a chance to say anything their food was ready. Everyone was silent for a minute as they savored the delicious taste of a Wimpy’s hamburger.
The evening passed pleasantly along as they caught up on each other’s lives and shared old memories.
As the night wore on one by one each Bob White made his or her excuse to depart for the evening, and pretty soon only Dan, Hallie, and Honey were left. They were caught up in a fascinating tale about one of Honey’s wacky college roommates.
"…So I asked her what he said then, and she said he said absolutely nothing. He appeared to be totally in shock," Honey finished.
"Wow," Dan said. "That’s got to be one of the weirdest college stories I’ve ever heard."
"Yeah, well anyone with Veronica as a roommate will have plenty of stories to tell," Honey answered.
"Tell me about it. No matter how many times we talk about her you always seem to have a story I haven’t heard before. I have to say though that the one time I met her she certainly seemed much more diffident than the exuberant, vivacious person you describe," Hallie said.
Honey laughed. "That’s Veronica all right. You have to get to know her before she lets her true colors show. Well, guys, I better get going now. Hallie, maybe I’ll see you tomorrow or Sunday before you have to go back to Chicago."
"Oh, sure thing! I don’t have any plans; just hoping to tag-along with somebody," Hallie answered brightly.
"I’ll phone you in the morning then. ‘Night, Hallie, Dan."
Dan and Hallie looked at each other once Honey had left.
"So…."
"So…."
Hallie laughed self-consciously.
"How about a walk?" Dan asked.
"Okay."
They slipped outside and began their walk. Hallie involuntarily shivered. The evening had grown cooler.
"Cold? Here, take my jacket," Dan offered.
Hallie was surprised he had noticed her slight shiver, but graciously accepted the coat. Dan was such a good friend; had always been such a good friend to her. He would make a wonderful hus…No, don’t go there, Hallie stopped herself.
Meanwhile, Dan was struggling with his own thoughts. His feelings from the night before were still troubling him. He loved Hallie. That much he knew. But what kind of love was it?
Hallie finally broke the silence. "You’re awfully quiet."
"I could say the same of you," Dan answered back.
"Well, you know what they say about good friends and comfortable silences," Hallie said with a smile.
"Yeah."
After a few more minutes of silence Dan asked quickly but quietly, "Are we good friends?"
Hallie looked aghast. "Of course we are! We only talk, like, all the time."
"No, I meant…nevermind," Dan said slowly.
Hallie wondered what Dan had been about to say. Could it have been…? Hmm. Food for thought, definitely.
"Look, I better head on home now. Do you need a ride?" Dan questioned.
"No, Aunt Helen let me use her car. It’s back at Wimpy’s."
They headed back towards the parking lot. Once Dan had made sure that Hallie was safely in her car he said goodnight.
"I’ll see you tomorrow, right?" Hallie asked.
"Umm, yeah." Dan answered as if he had barely heard her question.
With that Dan strode off in the direction of his apartment building. Hallie stared after him. Something was definitely on that guy’s mind.
To Be Continued