Page 65 of Thanks for the Memories
“Hey, what’re you doing out here alone?” she asks, sitting down on the chair next to me.
I point toward the house where Bethany is inside getting ready.
“Breathing,” I say with a snort. “Things are super uncomfortable. Did Lila tell you about this morning?”
She furrows her eyebrows. “No, I had appointments all day, so I didn’t go to the office. How did the breakfast go?”
I exhale loudly and give her the scoop on my fun-filled morning.
“Whoa. Do you think there’s a chance she was telling you the truth about trying to get you up?”
I shake my head. “I wish I could give her the benefit of the doubt, but I don’t think so. I really think she wanted that time alone with Dante.”
Gabby frowns. “You know I’m the worst when it comes to trusting people after what I’ve been through.”
“I know.”
“So, my mind automatically goes to the worst-case scenario,” she continues.
“You don’t believe her either,” I say knowingly. “I mean she and Dante are friends, but this is my home, and I invited her to stay here.”
“Exactly,” she agrees. “She should at least respect your feelings.”
I think that’s what’s bothering me the most. I’ve bent over backwards for Bethany to make her feel welcome and give her a wonderful vacation.
“Are you going to bring it up?” Gabby asks.
“Yes, tomorrow,” I say adamantly. “I just don’t want to make things worse than they are now. She’s leaving on Friday.”
“Good.”
“She’s going out with Paul tonight, so at least she’ll be out of the house.”
Gabby looks surprised “Really?”
“Yep. She claims she’s trying to make connections prior to her move.”
She smirks. “I bet.”
“Hey, hey,” Bethany calls coming outside. She’s wearing the shortest, tightest white dress I’ve ever seen. I have to wonder where she packed all these clothes. I haven’t seen her wear the same article of clothing twice since she arrived.
She spins around with her arms out. “How do I look? Am I ready for life in Miami?”
Gabby shoots a side glance at me.
“Yeah. For sure,” Gabby tells her.
“Reagan, are you sure you don’t want to come along? I feel bad leaving you.”
I shake my head. “I’ll be fine. My laundry is piling up, and I want to be available in case Kennedy needs me.”
I have no problem using my sister and her poor injured mother-in-law as an excuse, and I know Kennedy wouldn’t care.
“Oh, that’s probably a good idea,” she agrees. “Paul should be here any minute. Promise to call me if you need me?”
“Yep.”
She leans down and gives me a hug, waves to Gabby, and dashes into the house.
