Page 27 of Thanks for the Memories
“Um—” Holy crap. I’ve suddenly lost the ability to say words. “Maybe. Will you miss me?” I ask. I guess this is one way of asking him how he feels.
Jeremy opens his mouth to say something, but he’s interrupted by Carl rushing out of his office.
“Guess what, team!” he roars.
I’m both grateful and disappointed about his interruption. He goes on to tell us about a new opportunity, but I’m barely listening. Out of the corner of my eye, I look at Jeremy. I wonder what he was going to say. Was he going to say he’d miss me while I’m on vacation? Now I want to know.
All of a sudden everything seems fuzzy. I can’t seem to wrap my head around this possibility of us being more than friends.
“Reagan, any questions?” Carl asks.
Crap, I have no idea what he just said.
“I don’t think so,” I lie.
Of course I have questions. About what Carl just said, Dante, Jeremy—the list goes on.
The whole office is abuzz about Carl’s news, and I finally realize that we’re acquiring a few new hotels, which expands our brand.
“So, I guess we need to get to work on a platform,” Jeremy says. “I’ll get started while you’re gone, and then you can add your specialpopto it.”
“Sorry. I guess it’s not the best timing for vacation.”
He shrugs. “I think I can handle things for a few days. Although, you’re the better half of our team.”
I smile. “At least you admit it.”
He holds up his hands. “I’m just stating the facts.”
Jeremy and I do make an amazing team, and I’d never want anything to get in the way of that.
“Are you excited about seeing your friend?” he asks.
“Yeah. And a little nervous. I’m just hoping everything goes smoothly.”
“Why wouldn’t it? She obviously wants to see you.”
He’s right. I’m probably overthinking it.
“And I’m always available to jump in and save the day,” he says, nudging me with his elbow.
“Thanks. I’ll let you know.”
He holds up his hand to give me a high five. “You’re finally recognizing all I have to offer. It was only a matter of time.”
All joking aside, he may be right.
* * *
After work, I dash home to change and scarf down some food. Bethany’s flight gets in at eight o’clock. As the time gets closer, I’m growing more excited to see her.
It’s been almost a year since we sat at that restaurant in downtown Chicago when I told her I’d decided to give in to my sister’s peer pressure. She tried to talk me out of moving here—giving every excuse she could. Kennedy, the heat, hurricanes, and alligators. She even found a video of an alligator that had gotten into someone’s home. By the way, I had no idea that alligators climbed fences. Admittedly, that gave me a few seconds pause.
Obviously, her tactics didn’t work because I’m here. But I never thought it would affect our friendship so deeply. I remember crying while packing boxes with my mom. It was an emotional time for me as I was the one leaving my home and Bethany had already begun to distance herself from me. I know everyone handles change in different ways, and I guess that was her way of dealing with my move.
The sound of my phone buzzing brings me back to the present, and my heart does a flip as soon as I see Dante’s number.
Hey, I’ve been thinking about you. Golden has been busier than ever. I wish I could be in two places at one time.
