Page 43 of The Now in Forever
He turns around. “Hey.”
I smile, but my stomach twists. “Good run?”
“Yeah, I checked out the other way on the beach. Running on sand is getting easier.”
Of course it is, for him.
Ed hands me a steaming mug of coffee, the aroma ironing some of the wrinkles in my brain out. He lowers his voice. “About last night?—”
“I thought I smelled coffee.” Anh comes into the kitchen, her long black hair tied up in a messy bun.
Selecting a pink mug with white flowers on it, I pour her some coffee. “How are you feeling?”
Anh blows on her drink, the heat wafting off in waves. “Like I was steamrolled by a giant bottle of wine. I’m never drinking again.”
I laugh.
She turns to Ed. “We haven’t officially met. I’m Anh. My girlfriend left me for a CrossFit lover.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Ed holds out his hand. “I’m Ed. I’m Nathan’s old friend.”
“Now that we’re on a first-name basis, I fully expect you to holdmy hand through this breakup. So, what are we doing today?” Anh asks, sipping her coffee.
Ed laughs. “Well, Anh, I have to go to Portland for my buddy's book launch party.” Ed turns to me. “Do you still want to go?”
My heart sinks. I do want to go, but I can’t leave Anh all by herself.
“A party in Portland sounds perfect. When do we leave?” Anh gets up from the table.
“Whenever.” Ed shrugs.
“I’ll shower.” Anh heads off, taking her coffee with her.
Ed is still dripping sweat from his run, and so am I, but our showers will have to wait, I guess. “Is it okay if we both come to the party?”
Ed nods. “Sure. I booked us two king rooms at Posh downtown, but I could make it three rooms.”
Posh is one of the fanciest hotels in downtown Portland. “No, we can share. But we can just get a room at The Jupiter or The Quality Inn or something.
Ed shakes his head. “Nah, this place is great. I got it.”
I want to protest, to say of course I’m going to pay you back, but the house hasn’t sold and I’m uncertain where my next paycheck is coming from and when. “Are you sure it’s okay if we come? We can stay here?—”
“It’s cool.” Ed pulls out his phone and starts tapping away. “I’m pretty sure I can get us another invitation.”
“Are they going to be sticklers about invites?”
“It’s at the Pittock Mansion, so maybe. But I’ll figure it out. It’s black tie. Should we stop somewhere in Portland to pick up clothes?”
Posh, black tie, mansion? Now it really feels like we’re party crashing. “Anh and I should just stay here.”
Ed startles me by putting his coffee down and taking my hand in his. “I want you to come. Please.”
I try to slow my breathing. “Okay.”
Ed’s phone lights up in his hand. He drops my hand and answers it, “Bill! Happy book release day.”
He takes his coffee in one hand and his phone in the other and walks out of the kitchen.
