Page 24 of Right Where You Left Me
My mom thankfully believes that lunch was the cure to my mood and doesn’t ask me what’s wrong again. We eat a delicious meal of pasta salad and joke around. She tells me she wants to change up the theme of her kitchen and I don’t argue when she says she’s thinkingBarnyard Chic, whatever that means. I clear our dishes and after I have them all washed up she asks if I want to watch one of her house hunting shows with her and I agree. And before I know it it’s time to get ready for my evening.
I stare at the outfit choices I have laid out on my bedspread. I pinch my lower lip between my teeth, a nervous habit and the slight bite of pain has me realizing I’ve been doing it a little too often. My eyes flick from one choice to the next: a navy romper with pant legs that I can wear a sweater over, a pair of high waisted jeans and my favorite slouchy Dolly Parton cropped t-shirt, and my favorite skinny jeans with a dark green tank top and my leather jacket.
Which one says, ‘I’m cool enough to be hanging out with these artistic, tattooed, badasses,’ but also will keep me warm enough in the cool fall night air? I let out a breath slowly and pick up my phone. I hit video call and after three rings Liam’s face pops onto my screen.
“Well hello, stranger.” He says with a smile. “What’s up?”
“I need you to help me pick out an outfit for tonight.”
“Alright. What’s tonight?”
“I’m going to an art walk with Sage and her tattoo shop friends and I have to becool, Liam. Okay? I have to look cool, and they can’t know that I’m a little lame-o with no idea what to wear to something like this!”
“Emma.” He says chuckling at me. Which is so rude honestly, doesn’t he understand that I am in the middle of a crisis?! “Youarecool.”
“You don’t understand, Liam. These people arecool. You and me, we are pastry chefs that enjoy a nice cheese board and a quiet night in. These guys are on a whole other level! One of Sage’s friends has tattoos on his neck. Hisneck, Liam. I have to fit in. I don’t want to embarrass myself.”
“Lord… okay. Let me see what your options are. Even if I think you’re being insane.” He mutters.
“Just pick one.” I say sharply. “You’ve seen me in all of these, and you think I’m hot so, clearly you are the best person to pick my outfit.”
“Sure, sure. Your logic issoooosound, Emma.” He says, and I can practically feel the sarcasm. “I say the tank and jeans. That color always looks good on you and obviously you can’t beat that jacket.”
“Thank youuuuu.” I crow. “You are a lifesaver.”
“Yeah, yeah. Text me later and tell me how your date goes.”
“Not a date.” I say quickly. “Just a friend hangout. There’s going to be four of us there.”
“Sure.” He says with a smirk. “Well let me know how your ‘friendly night out’ goes then.”
“I’m hanging up on you now.”
“Byeeeeeeeee”
I toss my phone down on my bed and look over the outfits one more time. He’s right. Tank and jeans it is. I run a wide tooth comb through my hair and throw it up in a claw clip beforeswiping on some mascara and lip gloss and after a look in my full length mirror, I think I’m ready.
I head downstairs, slipping my arms through my jacket as I go, and find my mom still watching her home improvement show on the couch.
“You look nice.” She says giving me a once over. “Will you be out late?”
“I’m not sure exactly what to expect when I get there, but don’t wait up. I’ll make sure I lock everything up when I get home.”
She nods and turns back to the TV. “Have fun, hun. Tell Sage I say hi.”
“I will.” I murmur and head out to my car.
I plug the address Sage texted me into my GPS. It’s an easy drive, just two exits past our town on the highway. “Fuck.” I mutter when I arrive. Parking is a nightmare, every single street parking spot seemingly full. I drive around for fifteen minutes before I find a spot on the street that runs parallel to the main street that the art walk is set up along. The air outside is cool, but not unpleasant, and as I get closer I can see twinkle lights above the street. Artists and vendors line the sidewalk and the sound of mingled conversation is ringing out around me.
I find the pop up bar where Sage said they’d be waiting for me, and as I get closer I spot River in the crowd first. He towers over everyone, and with his bulk he’s very hard to miss. He glances in my direction and when our eyes meet and his face splits into a grin as he waves me over.
“Emma! You made it!” He says, nudging Sage with his elbow. She practically growls at him and it just makes his smile wider.
“I did! What’re we drinking tonight?” I ask, eyeing the bright cocktail in his hand.
“They have a signature drink tonight, some pink concoction with vodka and I think grapefruit juice, you want one?” He asks,linking our arms together. I laugh, watching as people move wide eyed out of his way as we walk toward the bar.
“Sure!” I reach for my wallet, but he waves me off. “On me tonight, why don’t you and the girls start walking and I’ll catch up once I have your drink.”
