Page 99 of The Wayward Son

“The earlier, the better. We’ve got an eight-hour drive ahead of us.”

“Is seven too early?”

“No. That works.”

“We’ll see you then.”

Sawyer ended the call and looked at Jade. “He’s coming tomorrow morning at seven. You can have a second chance to make a first impression on the cute fireman.”

“And then we’re leaving after that?”

“Leaving Missoula, never to return.”

“Then we should get some breakfast and finish getting this place packed up. Can you eat?”

“Yeah. For some reason, I’m not that hungover.”

“I think I’m hungover enough for both of us. But I am hungry. I can run and get us something to go.”

“Yeah. That sounds like a plan. Um…the place down the street has a good breakfast.”

“Swanson’s?”

“Yeah.”

“What would you like?”

They were acting like they hadn’t known each other since they were twelve. “You know what I like, Jade.”

“Right.” She picked her keys up from the counter. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Do you need some money?”

“No. I’ve got it. I’m about to get a windfall when my father’s house sells.”

“That could take a while.”

“I know. But still. I’ve got it.”

He raised a hand. “Okay. See you in a bit. And uh…don’t take the elevator.”

She left and Sawyer let out a sigh of relief. So much for not letting last night interfere with things. “We’ll get over it.” The memory of the shower came back to him. Did he want to get over it? He wasn’t so sure. He thought about the last few weeks together. They’d been great. He liked her. He’d always liked her. But this was different. This was seeing himself spending the rest of his life with her. And not as her buddy. He really wished he had more than just a flash of memory from last night.

Sawyer was emptying the closet and his dresser when he heard Jade come back into the apartment. He carried a full box out of the room and set it with the other packed boxes.

“Smells good.”

He followed her to the kitchen, then refilled their coffee cups and sat at the table with her. She’d brought scrambled eggs, waffles, and sausages.

“Man, this is perfect. I think we’re going to be done packing and get the trailer loaded by this afternoon. What do you want to do tonight? Unless sitting in a virtually empty apartment is appealing to you.”

“We could go to a movie. Or out to dinner. Although, I guess out to dinner is mandatory. The kitchen will be packed up.”

“Let’s do both. I haven’t been to the theater in ages.”

“What’s the last movie you saw?”

He thought about it. “I don’t even remember.”

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