Page 61 of Thanks for the Memories
I chew on my fingernail while I wait for him to respond.
Believe it or not, I haven’t had donuts since last week. I must be too depressed to eat.
I laugh as I type the perfect comeback.
Aw, depressed that I’m not there? Don’t worry. I’ll be back before you know it.
A few seconds later another text comes through.
I can’t wait.
His response sends a flutter through my stomach. Our conversation is making me feel so much better—maybe Bethany was right.
Before I have a chance to respond he sends another text.
I’ve been wanting to talk since the boat day, but I didn’t want to bother you while you had company.
I want to talk to him too. I need to know why he pulled away after our kiss, but that’s not something I want to ask in a text message.
I’d like to talk to you too,I respond.
Bethany is only here for a few more days, and I know she wants to squeeze a lot into the time she has left. Am I a bad friend for wanting to get back to my regular routine? Vacation is nice, but I don’t feel like I’ve had much time to relax since she’s been here. Bethany is intense.
Great. Heading to bed. I look forward to our talk.
I text Jeremy goodnight and plug my phone in. I’m not sure what tomorrow will bring with Dante coming over, but I’m feeling a strange sense of exhilaration after my conversation with Jeremy, and I can’t wait to talk to him.
Chapter Seventeen
“Reagan, wake up,” a sharp voice demands. I feel a hand shaking my arm.
When I open my eyes, I see Lila standing next to my bed. As I try to focus, I’m immediately hit with the lingering smells of cinnamon and bacon. Is someone cooking? It takes me a few seconds to remember that Dante was coming over to make breakfast. He can’t be here already, right?
“What time is it?” I mumble.
“It’s ten o’clock.”
What?I rub my eyes.
Lila sits down next to me. “I came home from Pilates and got in the shower. When I came out, Dante was here. He and Bethany are in the kitchen making breakfast and having a grand time together. I’m assuming you were supposed to be a part of that little party?”
I reach for my phone on the nightstand and, sure enough, I have a missed call and text from Dante saying he’d be over soon. They are from almost an hour ago.
“Bethany said she tried to wake you, but she felt bad because you looked so peaceful and cozy.” Lila rolls her eyes.
“What the hell?” I shoot out of bed as I try to piece together what’s happening.
“I have to get to an appointment, otherwise I’d stay for backup. You know I don’t have a problem setting that girl straight.”
I smile through gritted teeth. “Thanks, I got this.”
Lila says good-bye and hurries out of my room, leaving the door cracked. The intoxicating smell from the kitchen is beginning to fill my room.
I hop out of bed and race to the kitchen. Sure enough, Dante is standing at the stove, and Bethany is sitting on the counter next to him. She’s wearing a pale blue romper with nude flip-flops. Her hair is pulled on top of her head into a messy bun with a scarf wrapped around it.
“Good morning, sleepy head,” she says as soon as she sees me.
Dante spins around and flashes me one of his brilliant smiles. “There she is. We were wondering if you were going to sleep all day.”
