Page 100 of Summertime Friends

“And the space? We have it?”

“Of course. If it were separate, we would have the space; why wouldn’t we if it’s together?”

“True.”

“Any names? Keep it on theme?”

“The Antony,” I say confidently and quickly.

“The Antony?” Callum tilts his head, perplexed.

“Cleopatra and Marc Antony had an affair. They were legendary lovers, but they also had a drinking club together. They called it ‘Inimitable Livers,’ but that sounds rather terrible for a bar name.”

Callum’s eyes go wide, his brows raise. “What is your fascination with Cleopatra? The hotel design, restaurant names.”

I shrug my shoulders.

“Hmm.” He drops his suspicions, and we return to sifting through the plans. “What’s going on, mate? You’re physically here, but I can tell your head is somewhere completely else. Say with a brunette?”

Yeah, it’s with Emerson, alright. I wonder what she’s thinking, what she’s doing, if she’s feeling what I’m feeling, what she’ll think of the hotel, and why I haven’t called Natalie since Friday. I’m like a girl with all the thoughts prancing around my head. It’s a wonder they can be great multitaskers.

I don’t say any of that because I don’t want to get in. Instead, I reply, “Decision fatigue.”

“That much is obvious, aye.” He runs his hand through his grown-out blond hair.

“Whatever you are trying not to say, say it. I’m not in the mood today.”

“Probably won’t help then. Does this have anything to do with Emerson?” He looks at me, holding my eyes hostage, and only the truth is going to let me regain my freedom.

“Why would you think that?” I ask him, trying to play it cool.

“I ran into her as she was leaving the coffee shop one block over. She’s wearing the same demeanor you’ve had all morning. I asked her if she was okay. She shook her head no and kept walking. Are either of you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“They bothfailedto tell me about each other. I’ve ransacked my brain for times she ever said Natalie’s name. I can’t recall. Natalie never mentioned Emerson. Neither of them said anything. It’s like they mapped out this collision of my worlds and my heart. I didn’t know.”

Cal nods along.

“So when I run into Emerson, it feels as if it’s fate until I’m at Natalie’s, and she shows up. Emerson told me that Natalie never knew my name. She didn’t know that we had already met six years ago, not six minutes ago.”

I can’t tell if Cal feels sorry for me or wants to laugh at me. It’s the latter, as he breaks out in an obnoxious laugh.

“Wait, Emerson never told Natalie about you for the three years you were together?”

“We weren’t together,” I clarify.

“To-ma-to, to-mah-to. You two were together, no matter what the two of you said or did.” I roll my eyes because he’s right.

“Every time Emerson and I hang out, I can’t keep my eyes off her. I find myself gravitating toward her, latching onto every word she says.” I close my eyes, smiling to myself and thinking about her.

“For fuck's sake, please tell me you haven’t acted on this.” His hand is pointing toward me, making circles in the air.

“I might have.” I crunch my face.

“Liam! You are her headache. And now, the two of you are mine.”

“It almost happened, but it didn’t. I’m making a mess of this.”

“Are you going to tell Natalie?”

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