Page 88 of Red Hot Roaster

I changed the subject so we wouldn’t start crying, and so I could put off why I’dreallycalled.

“So it’s settled? Finn’s last final is Thursday afternoon, and you guys are driving up Friday?”

“That’s the plan, unless it gets super snowy in the passes. Then we might leave Thursday and stay somewhere overnight.” She laugh-snorted. “Although, with all my clothes and stuff crammed in the trunk and backseat, we should get pretty good traction. At least I won’t have to worry about Baby’s safety. It’s a mixed blessing that she’s staying with Oliver for the dog show.”

We’d catch up when she got here. Our convo about her toxic marriage, even more toxic divorce, and custody battle would resume over Manhattans at Fay’s.

I couldn’t wait any longer.

I burst out, “We’ve been talking.”

“Uh, yeahhhh, Rose,” she drawled. “For about the last fifteen minutes.”

“No. I mean, yes,wehave. But I mean Rafe and I have been talking, texting actually, for the past several days.”

There was a beat. Trust Lauren to come out with “texting, not sexting?” as her first comeback.

“No. I mean, yes, Rafe and I have beentexting.” I whisper-shouted, disturbing the dog, who decided to stand on my tender bits and jump down.

“Nothing sexy, just somewhat short and pretty sweet.” I swung my legs from the couch to sit up.

“That’s too bad.”

“Lauren!” I huffed in exasperation. “You remember—I was short andsnarkywhen he’d texted me they’d made it safely to Boise. Of course, Rafe being Rafe, he had to take it one step further and check on my eating and alarm-setting habits.”

“I do remember, girl—you were still at the mad-and-crying phase before you moved on to sad-and-crying.”

And sleepless,I added to myself. We didn’t do video calls, normally, so Lauren hadn’t seen how run-down I looked. Another reason for text-only with Rafe, so far.

“Rafe hasn’t given up, Lauren. He hasn’t given up,” I said softly, arms on my knees as I stared at the rug where Pirate had resettled on his back, all four legs in the air. “He’s kept on with thegood morningsand thegood nights. The oh-so-innocentinquiriesabout my nutrition and safety.”

I snickered. “And he’s gotten downright chatty in text mode—for him. He goes on and on about Princess and her fascination with snow—the white stuff not being a thing in Afghanistan. He complains about rattling around the owners’ ginormous house, but then claims he’s grateful for the free roof over his head. He shares funny stories about the kids who work at Bean Love—says they remind him of our kid crew.”

“Okay, Rose, okay.” My friend stopped me in my blathering. “It’s me. I know you too well. You were heartbroken when Rafe left. But you’re too kind to leave the man hanging. When did you…reengage?”

“He seemed lonely. He needed someone to talk to.”

“When, girl?”

“Friday, I guess. He’d texted agood night. Although Saturday, I texted him during the day about Santa Paws and sent some photos. We may have texted that evening too.”

“What? Four days after he left?” She lost it and started laughing out of control.

Pirate righted himself and followed her lead, barking his fool head off.

I put the phone on speaker and clapped my hands. “Everyone—that’s enough! I’ve come to a decision.”

Lauren quieted down to the occasional giggle, but Pi continued to grumble.

“Shush now. Lie down.” For once, he did what I told him and jumped back on the couch.

“Whatdidyou decide?” she got out.

“I decided thatIget to decide if we give love a chance. I decided to fight for Rafe. I’m going to show him heisthe best man for me. I’ll start by telling him I need him. Then I’ll ask, no,demandthat he come back home—come back home to me.”

“Get it, girl!” Lauren shouted.

I laughed and clapped again. Iknewmy bestie would cheer me on.

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