Page 31 of We're One

Sia finally looks me in the eyes. “It’s been over a year since I was home last so yes, I’m pretty excited,” she tells me, real happiness flashing in her eyes.

“Do your parents know you’re coming?”

She shakes her head. “Nikki and I are surprising our families. We checked in with some friends to make sure they’re home. They’ll be thrilled.”

“I bet they will be,” I tell her. “Any chance to spend time with you is a gift.” Her cheeks pinken at these words and I can see the relief on her face when our drinks are brought out, giving her a chance to take a breath and not have to reply to my statement. I’m going to keep her on her toes as long as I can.

Before I can ask another question or probe any further, Sasha turns to her and Nikki, who’s sitting across from us, looking all around her in bliss. She’s loving all of this. Sia really does have an amazing best friend.

“I can’t wait to land,” Sasha says, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “We have to make The Mermaid Café our first stop.”

“Absolutely,” Sia says. “I miss your Aunt Eileen’s famous chocolate chip cookies. No one makes them quite like her.”

“I know!” Sasha agrees. “That’s why she gets to eat for free because those cookies sell out daily. They can’t get enough of them. We also have to catch up on all of the gossip from the fabulous three. Aunt Eileen, Vivian, and Martha still share all of the news about what’s happening in town.”

Callan laughs at this. “I couldn’t get away with anything while I was there with those three. Did you know they locked Sasha and me in the gym one night? The fire department took their time letting us out.”

Nikki and Sia laugh at this. “I can totally see them doing that. They’re known as quite the matchmakers. They must like you,” Nikki says.

“They can’t help but love me. I’m a great guy,” Callan says with a smug smile.

Sasha laughs as she gives him a side hug. “You certainly are a one of a kind.”

He takes that as a compliment, but I can see how it could be unflattering as well. “I remember those ladies. They were good friends of Gramps,” I say.

“Yes, they sure loved Gramps. It really is strange how small the world is. You’d think with over 350 million people living in the US alone that the chances of meeting someone in a different state would be almost nonexistent, but it’s funny how things work out,” Nikki says.

“I never run into my disaster dates again in the city of Seattle, but somehow I run into a man I met nine years ago in a different state,” Sia says, not looking too pleased with this. I choose to think maybe fate has played a role here. I’ve changed my opinion about fate without realizing when it happened. I haven’t told Sia about the box or the game, though. I don’t want her to know I got her name from the box, don’t want her to read anything into it. I will probably have to tell her eventually, but now is certainly not the time.

“I wish a summer festival was going on now. I love those so much, the music, food, dancing, bonfires,” Nikki says with a sigh.

“Well, we can come back for the next festival. I hate to miss them,” Sasha says.

“For sure, it’s been too long,” Nikki answers.

“I agree. This will make me want to come back over and over again. My goal is to eventually move back,” Sia tells them.

My heart skips a beat. I don’t want her moving away. Then again, I don’t think there’s anything that will stop me from following her. My job’s portable. If she wants to travel, I’m more than willing to do it.

“That’s what’s so great about being with Callan. I get to see the world, but I get to come home too. I get it all,” Sasha says.

“I never thought you’d leave Seaville, so Callan must be very charming to pull you away,” Nikki says.

“He’s quite the charmer. Considering I put him through hell when he came to Seaville and he still stuck around, I’d say he’s a keeper.”

“Oh, do tell. What did you do to him?” Sia asks.

Sasha laughs. “I was trying to drive him away. I took him to the chicken farm and had him chasing chickens, drove him crazy on the golf course, and showed him the darkest corners of town. It only made him love the place more.”

“I hope you have videos of the chicken farm,” Sia says with a laugh.

Sasha winks. “I do, but he doesn’t know it.”

Callan looks at her in horror. “You must delete those right now.”

“Not going to happen. I might need them when you make me angry,” she tells him. Before he can respond, she turns to me.

“Some of the cabins are finished at the resort, so you get the family unit while we’re there. We’re staying in the new house. You could stay with us, but I figured you’d want privacy,” she tells me with a wink. I look over at Sia who blushes again.

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