Page 16 of Thanks for the Friendship
I don’t know why I feel the need to tell him this. I’m sure he doesn’t care where I lived over the years.
“That’s right. Theo said you moved back in and were looking for roommates.”
I tell him about my parents wanting to sell the house and how I couldn’t bear it.
“I know it’s just a house and they won’t keep it forever, but I wanted to live there one more time before it’s gone,” I say with a shoulder shrug.
He puts his basket down on the ground. “I get it. My folks still live in the same house. It’s comforting to go home every once in a while.”
His phone starts ringing, and he pulls it out of his pocket.
“It’s Sara. Hang on.”
Of course, it is.She’s his girlfriend.
I make myself busy sorting through avocados.
“Hey. Guess who I just ran into at the store.”
I grab a few avocados and a bag of celery while I wait for him to finish his conversation. This trip to the market has gone completely rogue.
“Okay. See you later,” he says into the phone. “Sorry about that, Lila.”
“No worries. I should probably get going.”
He noticeably hesitates. “Oh, yes, me too. It was nice to catch up.”
“For sure. And I guess I’ll see you at my house soon.”
We say a quick good-bye, and I continue my shopping.
Clearly, Cal Sims has reentered my life, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
Chapter Six
Theo is at the house when I arrive home. Why does this not surprise me? All of a sudden our lives seems to completely revolve around our neighbor.
“Hey, I was just about to text you. Theo ordered dinner for us,” Gabby says.
I hold up my shopping bags. “I stopped by the store, but that food looks better than what I was going to make.”
I glance at the variety of sushi, rice, and edamame spread out on the island.
“It’s the least I could do for all of you,” Theo says with a shrug. “Gabby’s told me how much you’ve helped with the planning.”
Hmm … I wouldn’t necessarily call tying ribbons helping, but I don’t say anything.
“It’s nothing,” I say, putting my bags down on the counter. As I unload the contents, the sight of the package of celery reminds me of seeing Cal in the store.
Ugh. Is this going to happen every time I look at vegetables from now on?
I might as well tell them before Cal does.
“I just ran into Cal at the market,” I say nonchalantly.
When I look over, I catch Gabby and Theo exchanging a glance.
“You guys can relax,” I add. “That stuff is in the past. We’re all grown up now.”
