Chapter 24 #2
His eyes are a warm brown and his cheeks are flushed from the cold. It’s the intense way he looks at me that finally snaps me out of it though. “Shit. I’m sorry. You were spinning. It was the fastest way I could think to get your attention.”
“I’m sorry.” Add epic meltdown to the list of mortifying things to happen today.
His mouth hitches up slightly on one side. This is the Travis I expected last night. Playful, sweet, quick to smile. “Take my vehicle and go pick up your sister.”
“What about you?”
“I’m going to call a tow truck and get your Jeep dropped off at the repair shop.”
I open my mouth to argue, but he beats me to it.
“What’s mine is yours, Mrs. Bennett.”
“No.” I shake my head adamantly. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You aren’t asking and I’m not giving you a choice. Now go. You’re going to be late.”
“This is it,” I say, closing the door behind us as we walk into Travis’s house. There’s no sign of him here, though I expect he’s still dealing with my Jeep.
“Wow. This is nice.” Wren’s head tilts back as she takes in the space. “You really married up.”
I snort. Don’t I know it. I fight off the urge to spiral in money woes. There will be plenty of time for that after Wren leaves.
“I’m kidding.” She drops her backpack and walks over to me. “He’s a lucky bastard.”
She wraps her arms around me, exactly like she’d done in the airport, and I start crying for the second time today.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” I breathe her in and when I exhale, every part of me feels more grounded.
Her hair is several shades darker than mine.
Not quite brown but a dark blond. She’s let it grow longer since she started college and she’s stopped fighting the natural curl that I’ve always loved.
Wren is the only constant home I’ve ever known.
“Me too.” She pulls back, thankfully not noticing I’m a mess over here as she continues to look around the house. “Can we eat dinner soon? I’m starving.”
Wren walks into the kitchen and I follow behind her.
“Yes, but we’ll have to order something because I haven’t had a chance to go to the grocery store…
” My words trail off as my gaze falls on the bags of groceries.
A few items sit directly on the counter, but most of it is still packed away like Travis was unloading it and got distracted.
He must have called me while he was unloading them.
A quick look in the fridge tells me what I’d already surmised—he shopped for me. I know he did it for me, the same way I know he does so many little things for me. He’s so thoughtful. Not some of the time. Always.
Wren and I cook a frozen pizza in the oven and then we rent one of our favorite childhood movies, Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast. We’ve seen it so many times we both have it memorized. We watch our favorite parts and talk through the rest.
She tells me about classes and her friends, a study abroad program she wants to apply for next year, and gives me three new true crime podcast recommendations.
“So…” She takes another slice of pizza from the plate and eyes me from her side of the couch. “Tell me about Travis.”
“What about him?”
“Anything. Everything. You’ve not said a lot about the guy and my social media stalking has only provided information on his hockey stats and previous dating history. Did you know he dated Miss Universe?”
I glare at her. I did know (I also saw the pictures online) but I’ve chosen not to think about it too hard.
Wren bats her lashes at me, then continues, “How will I plan an epic divorce party without all the dirty details? Does he snore? Does he pee on the seat?”
I let out a laugh. “I don’t think so and no.”
“Other annoying or gross habits?”
“No.” I shake my head. “He’s a great guy.”
A smile slowly lifts the corner of her lips and then grows. My face heats in response because I know that look. It’s a smug, satisfied, I’m going to either hold this information against you or tease you forever look.
“You like him.”
“Of course I do.” I think about the kiss earlier and my lips tingle. That’s what I hoped would happen last night. Not exactly that way, but the end result.
“Yeah, but you really like him. I haven’t seen you this way since Michael Erin.”
Michael Erin was a boy I had a massive crush on in tenth grade.
I was too young and hopeful to care who knew it.
I doodled his name and plotted elaborate schemes to get his attention.
One of which such plans actually worked, and he asked me out.
It was amazing. Then three days later he told me he thought we were better off as friends.
I was heartbroken and certain I’d never feel that way about anyone again.
It was Wren’s idea to plot elaborate schemes to ruin his life, which we’d never had gone through with of course, but it did make me feel better.
I’d forgotten that part. Wren was a true crime aficionado way before it was cool.
“What? No. I’m acting the same as always. Travis and I are just…it’s complicated.” At least I’m not doodling Travis’s name on scraps of paper. Though I guess last night sort of was an elaborate scheme that backfired spectacularly.
“Complicated is just code for you really like him but the situation is fucked.”
That is a surprisingly accurate summary.
“Speaking of Michael Erin, he’s getting divorced,” Wren says with a waggle of her brows and a coy smile.
“Again?”
She nods, grin widening. “You might have a shot at being lucky number three.”
I laugh again and it feels good.
“What about you? Meet any new cute boys?”
“No.”
“No?”
“Yes, but no. We aren’t talking about me yet. You still haven’t told me about Travis.”
At his name, the door opens and Wren and I both freeze as my husband walks in looking cold and windblown and oh so very handsome.