Chapter Seven
"What do you keep writing down there, Donna?" Harvey asked, noting how Donna was furiously focused on her notebook during their ride home. Time's moved quickly since school first started. It was already the middle of October and so much has happened.
"Ideas for Halloween costumes," she responded. "If you must know."
He laughed, "What are you going as? A witch?"
She glared at him. "I won't even comment on how offensive that was. And just focus on the fact that you would think I could possibly be so unoriginal!"
"I don't know how you do all this," Harvey said. "The play, the mock trial…Halloween. You have so much on your plate."
"It's all about multitasking, Harvey," she answered.
"By the way," Harvey continued, "I don't appreciate how I was forced to become Romeo in our little school play."
Donna smiled, "I'm sorry, a deal's a deal. Plus, were you expecting me to be your Juliet?"
Harvey shook his head, "Hardly. And considering how the story ends, it's a love story I've never really aspired to."
She laughed. "Well, I'm sure Rachel will make a fine Juliet. Besides, everyone knows the nursemaid basically makes the whole play."
Harvey stared at her for a second, "Are you really not familiar with this story? Plus, you know, Mike isn't entirely happy with me, either."
Donna laughed, "He just needs to get over it. It's not like I see him actively pursuing Rachel anyhow."
"Not right now," Harvey said, "he's been kind of busy."
"What does that mean?" Donna asked.
"Wait, wait," Harvey said, "are you telling me the great Donna Paulsen doesn't know something going on under her nose?"
"Spill it, Specter," she replied.
"The kid's been busy with that Jenny girl. Apparently, he's her math tutor and they've been spending a lot of time together. She was over at his house last weekend."
"You're kidding," Donna said, shocked. "You do know that Jenny is Trevor's on-and-off girlfriend, right?"
"No, and I also didn't know she was a switch," Harvey said, whilst laughing at his own joke. "So, what if she used to date Trevor?"
"I don't know," Donna replied carefully, "it all just seems suspicious."
"How so?" Harvey asked.
"Wait," Donna said, replaying their conversation in her head. "Did Mike tell you she was over at his house last weekend?"
Harvey hesitated. "Not exactly." She raised an eyebrow, and he continued, "I was there, too…with Scottie."
"I see," Donna said icily, but her gaze never wavered from the view on the dashboard. Harvey would be lying if he didn't say he was disappointed in her lack of reaction.
Shaking it off, he said defensively, "Hey! I'm available, she's available. Plus, with her as my opposition for the mock trial – it brings the whole 'keep your friends close but your enemies closer' thing to perspective."
Donna snickered, "I suppose that makes sense. So, you double dating with the kid now, huh?"
Harvey sighed, "Hardly. I picked up Scottie only to have Jenny there and asking to tag along and be dropped off at Mike's."
"So, essentially, you were like a driver," Donna stated. "I guess you're used to it by now."
"Shut up," Harvey said, jokingly, his gaze lingering on her for a tad second longer than appropriate. She finally turned her eyes on him, with a small smile.
Finally, she sighed, "Keep your eyes on the road…and hush. We're already late. My mom said we were supposed to go out for dinner tonight at some friend's house." Then, she looked confused as he turned the car around an unfamiliar corner. "Where are you taking me?"
"We're going home," he stated. She raised an eyebrow – and he finished, "my home. My dad thought it was finally time to have you guys over for dinner –".
"—friend's house," Donna stated, as a matter of fact. "I didn't realize it was you guys."
"Well, I think, your family will meet us there – you didn't want to go home first right?" he asked.
She gave him a deadpan expression.
"Good," he said, "Because we're here."
