Page 17 of Always on My Mind

Tessa opened the door and Jamie followed her back to the flat in silence. Funny how at one time, words flowed between them like a river. Now there was nothing.

Chapter 5

Tessa always thought nothing screamedBilliequite like her home office. Her desk was meticulously organized, from the alphabetical files to the color coded pens. A calendar with different symbols sketched over different dates sat in the middle, and Billie scribbled down another for the coming week. Her phone was sleek and modern, with her and Ethan’s wedding photo next to it. Already, she had some from their honeymoon framed and on the wall behind her, but with her diploma in the center. Off to the side, a steaming cup of coffee waited for her to take a sip.

For over a year now, she’d been running the Larry Lowe Foundation, a nonprofit she and Ethan started for children of addicted or absent parents to have resources to keep them involved in extracurriculars like sports or music. It was named for Ethan’s first football coach, who passed away. In his honor, they heard out every case brought to them, and if there was some way they could assist, they did.

Tessa remembered all the days Billie agonized over going to law school, and now she knew why Billie never took the plunge. Her heart wasn’t in law, it was in helping people. Ethan showed her that. If the glow about her wasn’t enough proof that she was fulfilled, the smile on her face did the trick. Tessa’s heart warmed with pride.

“. . . Yes, we do have volunteers in Birmingham,” Billie was saying as she pulled up a map of the town on her computer screen. She caught Tessa’s eye and waved her inside. “Actually, we have a volunteer already taking one client to football in that area, I’m sure they’d be more than happy to take little Emily to her violin lessons.” She paused while the person on the other end of the line spoke, her smile turning further upward. “You’re quite welcome, Mrs. Waterson. And do let us know when Emily’s next recital is. If we can, Ethan and I would love to be there to support her.”

Tessa heard Mrs. Waterson’s shout of excitement through the phone. Billie’s grin remained, even as she held the receiver away from her ear. She and Tessa exchanged a quiet laugh together before Billie spoke again.

“Yes, it’s no trouble at all. Of course. You have a wonderful day as well, and we’ll speak again soon. Yes. Bye, Mrs. Waterson.”

She hung up and heaved a sigh, but that smile betrayed her exasperation. Tessa couldn’t help but grin too. As much as she missed living with Billie, it was wonderful to her best friend happy and thriving.

“What about you, Bills?” Tessa said, taking a seat opposite her friend. “I’ve hardly seen you since you got back from honeymoon.”

“Things have been absolutely mad here,” Billie replied, finally giving that coffee some attention. She hummed to herself as she swallowed. “That’s lovely.”

“How many cups is that, then?”

“Just two. Though Ethan made me a whole pot, including my sugar and cream. All I’ll have to do is pour when I want more.”

“Fuck’s sake, you’ll be ruined.”

“Fancy a cup?”

“No, thanks, I’m suddenly feeling a bit bokey,” Tessa teased.

“Hey, I enjoy being spoiled,” Billie chuckled. She took another sip and cleared her throat. “What brings you by if not a cup of the Billie Special?”

“Fuck off, that is not what he calls it.”

“It is.”

“Now I am gonna boke.”

Billie rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Tess. What’s up?”

Tessa paused and eyed the coffee cup, realizing she hadn’t had coffee much since Billie moved out. It reminded her too much of all their breakfasts together, and it made her ache. Tea helped to soothe that, but there was no real cure for your best friend moving on. She forced a half-hearted smile.

“Besides my breakfast? A lot, I’m afraid.”

Billie’s brow furrowed. “Is everything alright?”

“Sure, everything’s grand. It’s just that Jamie’s back and playing for the Stanmore women’s team.”

Billie sputtered into her coffee, sending a few droplets out across the calendar. She coughed and pounded on her chest to clear her airway. If Tessa wasn’t so worried about this conversation, she might have laughed.

“Are you serious?” Billie wheezed.

“As a heart attack. She was at the flat the other day for the housewarming party.”

“Housewarming? You’ve lived there for years.”

“Niamh hasn’t, and it gave her a way to bond with her new teammates.”

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