Page 76 of Thanks for the Friendship
“Youhavedone the same for us,” Gabby adds. “That’s what makes us such a good team.”
“We’re like the three musketeers,” Gabby suggests.
I hold up my hand. “Nope. No cheesy nicknames.”
She giggles. “I knew you were going to say that.”
“Now that the crisis is averted, I have to finish getting ready,” Gabby says. “Elizabeth asked to meet with me this morning.”
I try to hide my smile because I know what that meeting is about.
She rushes back to her room leaving Reagan and me alone.
“You sure you’re okay?” she asks.
I scoff. “Of course. You can leave me alone. I promise I’m not going to skip the country or anything.”
She throws her arm around my shoulder and gives it a squeeze before heading off to get ready for her day.
It’s moments like this that add to my sadness when I think about moving out of here. This house is what brought the three of us together, and at the time I was just in search of two roommates. I honestly never thought I’d be so blessed to gain two amazing friends like Gabby and Reagan. At least I know our friendship will go on no matter where we are living or what direction our lives take us in.
* * *
Dinner with an old friend. What would be considered appropriate attire for an evening like this? Honestly, I’m not worrying about it because I’m going to wear what I’m comfortable in. I choose a pair of black flared jeans with a cream waffle-knit sweater. I add some loose curls to my hair and throw on a pair of black booties.
Neither Gabby nor Reagan are here, but they both checked on me to make sure I didn’t get cold feet. Gabby mentioned that her meeting with Elizabeth went very well, but she had to rush off the phone. I’d say that’s a good sign.
I’m just adding perfume to my wrists when I hear the doorbell.
I saunter to the door casually. Although in my mind I’m running to answer it like I did when I was seventeen.
When I open the door, Cal is waiting with his hands shoved in his pockets.
For a brief moment, I have a flashback. It isn’t often that the same man picks you up for dinner in the same place nearly ten years apart.
“Hey, friend,” Cal teases.
I try not to laugh, but I’m unsuccessful. “Come in,” I say, holding the door open. “You’re really going to emphasize thefriendthing tonight, aren’t you?”
He shrugs. “I was planning on it—unless you think it’s too much.”
“Maybe once an hour will suffice.”
“Deal.”
He stops as soon as he steps into the foyer and pulls me towards him, wrapping his arms around me.
“I decided against bringing flowers. So a hug will have to do.”
I rest my cheek against his chest and breathe in his delicious masculine scent.
“Contrary to popular opinion, I’m not big on flowers,” I say, hugging him back.
He doesn’t let go for a few seconds, and I don’t pull away either.
“What a relief. I almost called Gabby to check, but I went with my gut instead.”
When we pull away, he keeps his hands on my waist.
