Melissa’s Reviews > Seven Year Itch > Status Update

My throat tightens as Calder stares back at me in that intense way he has about him, and I feel a flashback to the first night we met.

Dakota remembers meeting Calder
Does he remember that night?

Dakota- “You have to quit acting like you know me so well, Calder,” I argue because I’m done letting men think they know what I can and can’t do with my own damn life.

Was Randal controlling?
Sounds like it

I nibble on one of the crackers from his tray as the beginning credits of The Call of the Wild begin. It’s an interesting choice by Calder. It’s been a while since I saw the film, but if I recall, the dog is sort of too big for his own life and seeks adventure outside of it. Not unlike the boisterous man sitting next to me seemingly fumbling through his own life a bit.

Dakota about Calder
Looking for something?

Dakota- You know . . . I used to think you were hot, before I hated you.
Calder- I still think you’re hot, even though I hate you.
D- You think I’m hot?
C- You know you’re hot.
D- I used to be hot.
C- Used to be?
D- Yeah . . . I’ve changed. I’m not the hot little thing I used to be. It’s fine. I know I’m not a dog. But I’m not what I once was.

Calder- Will you just take my arm before you break your ankle?
Dakota- Calder Fletcher being chivalrous. Hell hath frozen over.
Calder- You would know since you live there.

Banter

“She has black-cat energy,” Trista says and hiccups loudly.
“What is black-cat energy?” Cozy asks curiously.
Trista smiles as she replies, “Black cats don’t seek attention, but somehow, they still always get it. They’re really independent and know their worth.

Talking about Dakota

Calder- I shake my head. “You must be drunk if you’re offering to do something nice for me.”
Dakota- “I am a nice person, Calder,” she snaps defensively, her blue eyes stunning against her sun-kissed cheeks. “Outside of you . . . I am a nice person. Sometimes.”

Dakota offers to switch beds
Alternate nights on the sofa bed

Dakota- I looked bad. Randal looked bad. It was just altogether bad. To say that my wedding day wasn’t all that I hoped for would be a huge understatement.
“Maybe it was a sign,” Everly murmurs, and all eyes turn to the young girl who just said the quiet part out loud. “I only met Randal a few times because you never brought him around that much. Maybe the universe did that for a reason.”

Randal and I have been separated for over a year….He ruined a lot of things for me when it comes to my relationship with men. Things that I am desperately trying to unpack now so I can start living my life again.
Watching all these couples today makes me realize I’m ready to put myself out there again. I still believe in love and happily-ever-afters. I just made a huge mistake on my first shot at it.
Dakota

Dakota spikes the volleyball into Calder’s face