Page 24 of It Could Happen
Instead, I send Caroline a text asking her if she’d like to meet Parker and me for lunch one day soon. Not even ten seconds go by before she responds with a resounding yes.
I’m about to reply to her text when my phone rings and I see it’s her calling.
“Hey.”
“Hey there, sweet pea! I figured it would be easier to call because I want to talk to you about something,” she says. “Is it a good time to chat for a few minutes?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
My thoughts immediately go to Leslie. Maybe Caroline has noticed the strange tension between us.
“I need your help with something.”
My help?This will be interesting.
“Of course. Anything.”
“I’m worried about Rachel.”
Rachel? Ah, for some reason my brain immediately thinks of Christian.
“Why? Is she okay? I thought she seemed a little quiet at the dress fitting.”
“She was. I’ve asked her if something is wrong, but she swears everything is fine.”
“And you don’t believe her?”
“I’m not sure,” she hesitates.
“What about the others?” I ask. “Has she said anything to Leslie or Erica?”
I’m going to ask the questions, and I don’t consider it being nosy since she brought it up to me.
“No, not yet. I mean she isn’t as close to them as she is to me.”
I knew it.
“Okay, did something happen recently? Or has this, um, behavior been going on for a while?”
I’m not even exactly sure what’s been going on, despite my assumptions.
“Honestly, I’ve been so preoccupied with the engagement and then all the plans. I’m afraid I haven’t been available to be a supportive friend.” Her voice shakes slightly.
“That’s totally understandable,” I say.
“At least you know it isn’t only you,” she adds.
“Stop. We said we were going to move forward and not worry about the past.”
“We are, and you’ve been so gracious about it.”
Caroline acts like she’s been an awful friend, which couldn’t be farther from the truth.
“Okay, well, fill me in on what you do know,” I say, “or what’s concerning you. I really don’t know Rachel, so I don’t know if I’ll be much help, but I’ll try.”
Maybe it’s easier for her to talk to me about this since I’m not as close to the situation.
“I’m concerned because she used to be more open with me, and lately she’s completely shut down.”
