Page 83 of Vacation Friends

Garrick was now ten minutes late.

Was he okay? Had something happened to him? This was just so unlike him.

She tried to keep her worries at bay.

She could call him. But Garrick preferred not to get phone calls, especially when he was working. He was often in meetings. Even if Cecilia tried to call, there was a good chance his phone would be on silent. That was what he’d told her.

It made sense. When you had an important job that happened. Cecilia couldn’t fault him for that.

After twenty more minutes passed, she gave up watching out the window. Gave up twirling in the middle of her living room.

Instead, she plopped down on her faded navy-blue couch and glanced at her phone.

Should she call Garrick anyway? Just to make sure that nothing had happened?

Then, as if right on cue, her phone rang.

Her heart lifted. It was him. Garrick.

She pressed Talk and put the phone to her ear, her voice a mix of worry and excitement. “Hey, everything okay? I was getting worried.”

“I’m sorry I’m late, sweetie. But something popped up, and I couldn’t get away.”

“That’s okay. Just come on over whenever you’re ready.”

“Unfortunately,” his voice dropped, “I’m going to have to cancel on you.”

Her heart sagged with disappointment at his unexpected words. “Oh? Is everything okay?”

“It’s a work thing that can’t wait. I’ve had to cancel all my foreseeable plans until I get this issue taken care of.”

“Oh.” Her voice sagged. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“But I’ll make it up to you,” he told her. “I promise.”

He had told her he might take her to his house in the Hamptons one day. Cecilia had dreamed about the moment that actually took place. She’d love nothing more than a whole weekend with the man she loved.

As if reading her mind, he said, “Next weekend, I want to take you away. To my summer home on the water. How does that sound?”

She reminded herself not to sound too excited, to keep her cool. “I think I can make that work.”

“Great.” His voice warmed. “See if you can get off work, and I’ll take you for the best weekend of your life.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Perfect. And again, I’m sorry about tonight.”

“I forgive you.”

She would have to save this red sweater for another date.

Now she had the whole evening to do something else. She wasn’t sure what. Maybe she would watch some movies and eat popcorn.

It wouldn’t be the same as going out with Garrick.

But at least she had next weekend to look forward to.

A grin spread across her face as she thought about it, and she let out a squeal.

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