Page 41 of Thanks for the Memories
She looks to me, and I nod. “Absolutely.”
“Enough about me,” Dante says, waving his hand. “What’s up with you? How’s life back in Chicago?”
Bethany starts talking a mile a minute about her job and her dear departed uncle Louis. Obviously, this brings up the subject of the changes she’s made to her appearance.
“I may have gone a little overboard,” she says flipping her hair over her shoulder.
A little?
All of a sudden, a strange feeling comes over me. It’s almost like I’ve become the third wheel, which is silly because I knew this was going to happen. I’ve had time to catch up with both of them, but they haven’t seen each other in years. I listen as they chat, chiming in every few minutes, but I have to wonder if they’d notice if I left. Bethany is being extra flirty with her subtle touches and pouty expressions. Dante doesn’t seem to mind as he listens intently to her talk about Chicago life and her job. Ugh, it makes me feel a little uneasy watching their interaction.Am I reading too much into it?
“Do you ever talk to Mike?” Bethany asks, her tone becoming more serious. “I saw on Facebook that he got married.”
He nods. “Once in a while. Unfortunately, I’ve become a terrible friend. Ask Reagan. She’s been here for almost a year, and we’ve barely had any time to get together.”
“You’re not aterriblefriend,” I tease.
He chuckles. “Just not good.”
“Well, of course it would be wonderful to see you more—”
“Reagan understands,” Bethany interrupts.
Our food is delivered at just the right moment. While we’re eating, Dante asks what we’ve been doing and somehow the subject shifts to our breakfast with my sister and Jeremy.
“Reagan’s hot co-worker joined us for breakfast.” She flashes me a wicked smile. “With all these handsome men everywhere and the beautiful weather, Miami is looking really good. Maybe I should consider joining you guys.”
Wait,what?
I remember having a similar discussion with her when I told her I was moving. She was adamant that she didn’t want to deal with the heat or the potential of hurricanes or alligators that break into houses. Now after one day, she’s ready to uproot her whole life.
“Are you serious?” I ask.
“You should do it,” Dante says, flashing her a warm smile. “I’d love having you close by.”
She beams at him. “And I’m sure Reagan would too,” he adds, glancing at me.
“Yeah, for sure,” I say as I try to figure out what’s prompted this turn of events.
“I know it’s a wild idea, but I was thinking about it last night after we got home,” she tells me. “The last few days have reminded me of all the great times we’ve had—the best times in my life. And there’s not much keeping me in Chicago anymore. My mom has her life, and I’m sure I could find a job down here.”
I’m not sure how to react. I’ve enjoyed having Bethany here too, but something isn’t adding up. Maybe she’s truly fallen in love with Florida, not that it’s difficult. But I guess I’m wondering why she was so distant for all those months and now suddenly wants to live close to me. Of course, she didn’t have the money she has now, so it’s possible that’s influenced her decision.
“It’s just a thought,” she admits. “I haven’t made any final decisions, yet.”
She turns to Dante. “So, you think I should consider it?”
He smiles. “Hell, yeah. Haven’t you noticed that this city is the place to be? And hopefully in the near future, I’ll be able to enjoy it again.”
“Well, if I’m here, you’re going to have to,” she demands.
“Yes, ma’am,” he exclaims. Is he being serious or just humoring her? Maybe I should take more of a forceful approach when it comes to asking him to make time to see me?
Without another word she grabs her phone and begins searching advertising jobs in the Miami area.
Wow, she’s really serious about this. The question is, what has changed?
After we finish eating, the server clears the dishes from the table, and Dante quickly grabs the check.
