Page 415 of Small Town Firsts
“Me too. For them, most of all. It’s a hell of a thing to live like that and to think it makes sense.”
“If they’re in agreement…”
“It’s still crazy.”
“No argument. Are you okay? I know finding out about your dad rocked you.”
“I’m getting there. Did you get some sleep?”
“Yeah. A little. Hard to sleep with your mom crammed in a couch-bed, but I made do.”
“Maybe try the chants?”
She laughed and I heard movement and voices around her. “We’re getting more of her wares ready for the fair. She does a lot of work with textiles. Yarn and stuff. It’s a huge one, lots of crafters and vendors.”
“Sounds like you’re busy then. I won’t keep you.”
“What about you? Do you have plans today?”
“Yeah, I’m meeting my best friend and Dex at the bar later. We have some business to discuss.” I rubbed my thumb over my phone and tried the full disclosure thing on for size. “We’re asking Bishop to take my place in the firm. No idea if he’ll bite, but he’s a good dude. He just got back from the South Pacific and?—”
“Was there a discount going around or something?”
“Huh?”
“You know, April too. She texted me from Fiji. Said she ran into some snags, but she’s on her way home.”
I frowned. “I didn’t even make the connection. That’s odd. What are the chances?”
“Well, it’s not like the South Pacific is tiny.”
“No, but that it was at the same time.”
“Do they know each other?”
“No, not that I know of. Bishop never visits me at work, and I’ve never run into April when we’re out together, rare as it is.”
“Typical PMS. All business.”
“Until I discovered the varied uses for conference tables and desk chairs, you mean.”
“Your education was lacking,” she agreed. “Hang on.” She muffled the phone, and someone called out to her before she came back on the line. “Gotta go. My mom can’t find her bag of adult booties.”
I chuckled. “Do I want to know?”
“Probably not.” She paused. “We can talk more later.”
“I should hope so.”
“I mean about the situation with your parents. That’s rough. A lot to swallow.”
“It hasn’t been the best. But it’s done one good thing.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s made me really firm on what I don’t want…and what I do. I won’t make a promise I can’t keep.” When she didn’t respond, I cleared my throat. “I just wanted you to know that.”
“I never thought otherwise. Don’t have too much fun at the bar.”
