Page 17 of The Summer Arrangement
Those guys are going places. With their next album coming out soon, I can only imagine how popular they’ll become on the worldwide stage. We’re still working out the details, but if all goes well, they’ll be on tour again by next summer with more international stops.
How the hell did I not know the Lancasters had a younger sister?
Am I so self-absorbed? Or did it never come up?
Sure, there was a sense of familiarity when I met Lizzy at the coffee shop. Could that have been it?
No, I’ve never felt that strong of a connection toward anyone.
I certainly wasn’t thinking about Raven or Sloane when we met.
“Did you see her latest email?” Merna breaks me out of my thoughts of Lizzy. “I think it came through this morning while you were on the phone with Colin.”
“I am just sitting down to go through emails,” I admit, opening the app on my laptop. “Thank you.”
“Well… I’m here if you need me. I don’t see anything else scheduled in your day, so I’ll let you be.”
With that, the intercom turns off, and the room is quiet once more.
That is, until my stomach rumbles so loud, I’m certain Merna can hear it from her desk outside my office.
Checking the time, I see it’s almost eleven.
Maybe I’ll go home for lunch. I can eatandcheck in.
Two birds. One stone.
Thatisthe benefit of having my daughter here for the summer, right?
This hasnothingto do with spending more time with Lizzy.
Without allowing myself to overthink my decision, I grab my laptop, shove it into my messenger bag, and then head home.
Maybe I’ll catch Milli before nap time.
*****
Instead of hearing the sounds of running feet to greet me, I’m met with silence as I walk into the house.
That’s strange. The car is here. Where are they?
“Hello? Anyone here?” I call out, letting them know I’m home.
No response.
Walking through the house, I see the kitchen is cleaned from breakfast, and toys are put away from this morning, but no one is in sight.
Maybe they went swimming again?
When the realtor first showed me the house, I wasn’t sure if I’d like an indoor pool. However, I quickly found it is one of the best decisions I made this summer. The weather in Seaside is so mild compared to southern California, it’s almost necessary to be inside. Milli and I use it all hours of the day and never get cold or sunburnt. That’s a win in my book. I’ve taken to swimming laps early in the morning or late at night once she’s sleeping.
To make sure I’m not missing anything, I open the door and go inside the pool room.
Nope. Not here.
Where could they be?
The car is in the garage. Maybe they’re at the beach or going for a walk?
