Page 15 of Thanks for the Friendship
He nods. “My kitchen skills are average at best. Thankfully I can still stop by my parents’ house because my mom is always willing to feed someone.”
The memory of his mother makes me smile. “How’s your mom doing?”
“She’s great. Golfing and Zumba are her life now. Retirement has been good to her.”
I remember Cal’s mom very well. She was a teacher for years, and everyone loved her.
“Please tell her I said hello.”
He nods. “I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to hear from you.”
Hmm … I doubt Mrs. Sims remembers me, but I don’t say that out loud.
We both grow silent, and I watch as a lady starts tapping the cantaloupes nearby.
“So, is everyone ready for the big birthday?” Cal asks finally.
I shrug. “I think so. I’m mostly hands-off of the planning process.”
He nods. “Yeah. I guess you and Theo aren’t exactly best friends.”
And this is where it gets awkward …
“Yes, Theo and I are like oil and water. Kind of like the siblings neither of us ever wanted.”
He laughs. “I hear your friendship has evolved recently.”
I guess that’s one way of putting it. We can be in the same room and make small talk—so I guess that means we’re practically best friends now.
“We’ve made big strides for Gabby’s sake,” I say. “And after everything she’s been through, the last thing she needs is drama.”
Of course I’m referring to Gabby’s former best friend and former fiancé getting together.
“Gabby’s great, and Theo is completely smitten. I could see it the first day they met.”
I nod. “That’s right. The day she fell out of the hammock.”
Gabby and Theo met the day she moved into my house. Long story short, he startled her which caused her to fall out of the hammock. She hurt her wrist, and Theo took her to his doctor friend, who turned out to be Cal. Imagine my surprise to hear that my new roommate met my ex on day one of living in Miami.
“Oh yeah, I knew immediately that there was a spark between them. I called it that day.”
We both move to the side when a woman with a cart full of kids passes by.
“I want the cookie cereal,” a little girls wails.
The woman ignores her while she begins filling a plastic bag full of apples.
“It’s my turn to pick the cereal,” a boy snaps.
“Anyway, the party should be fun,” Cal continues.
Our silence returns. We’ve already discussed Theo and Gabby and the birthday party. I mean, what else is there to talk about? We’re practically strangers.
“You obviously know how to get to the party,” I say with a slight shrug.
A slight smile spreads across his face. “Yes, I’m familiar with the area.”
“I haven’t been living in my parents’ house all this time,” I add. “I had an amazing condo on the bay.”
