Page 77 of Thanks for the Friendship
“I’m not even sure friends are supposed to bring flowers,” I say, raising an eyebrow.
“I thought about that too.”
He links his hands against my lower back while I run my hands over his broad shoulders.
My mind begins to wander into places it shouldn’t be, so I quickly move away from him and head to the kitchen to grab my bag.
“So, where are we having dinner?” I ask.
He places his hands on the counter.
“Well, there’s a quick stop we have to make before we eat. If that’s okay?”
I give him a concerned look. “That depends on where it is?”
He shrugs and turns around to walk toward the door. “You’ll see.”
My eyes inadvertently move down to how good he looks in his jeans.
Gah. I’m in big trouble.
* * *
It’s been years since I’ve been to this house, and it looks exactly the same. When we pull up in front of Cal’s parents’ house, I’m speechless.
“I hope you don’t mind, but my mom asked if we’d stop by.”
Friends, Lila. You’re friends.
“I don’t mind at all.”
We get out of the car, and I walk up the cobblestone path toward the front door. As soon as we’re inside, I’m hit with a familiar smell that has been etched in my brain for years. I recall that Mrs. Sims always had candles burning.
As we walk through the house, I see that the walls are covered with pictures of Cal and his older brother, Kevin, when they were kids. The house has had updates with paints and furniture, but the warm, welcoming vibe is still present. There’s a massive family picture on the wall that must’ve been taken at his brother’s wedding and tons of pictures of an adorable baby girl.
“That’s my niece. Isn’t she the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?” Cal says when he notices me looking at the photos.
I nod. Admittedly I’m looking around to see if I spot any photos with Sara, but so far there isn’t a trace of her. Maybe Mrs. Sims already cleaned house?
“Hey, Mom,” Cal calls.
“We’re in the office.”
I follow Cal through the hallway to the office that’s just to the left of the kitchen. All of a sudden another flashback hits me of us making out in this very office and his father walking in on us. I feel my face turn bright red at the memory.
As soon as we turn the corner, I see Cal’s parents sitting together working on a puzzle. His father looks the same, only he’s completely bald now.
“Look who came to visit,” Cal announces.
Both Mrs. and Mr. Sims rise to their feet.
“Oh, what a nice surprise,” Mrs. Sims says, although she doesn’t seem surprised to see me at all. She gives me the same hug she gave me at Diane’s birthday brunch, only this time it’s even tighter.
“Dad, do you remember Lila Barlow from high school?”
His dad looks confused at first, but then a smile spreads across his face.
“Sure I do,” he says. “It’s about time, son.”
