17. Lanie
By the time my sisters arrive Friday evening, I am wound up with excitement. It’s only been about a month since I drove up to Gonzaga to see them, but it feels like forever.
The moment they walk through the door, I am up off the couch squeezing the life out of them.
“God I’ve missed you two. I’ve ordered pizza and picked up gelato from your favorite store downtown.”
“Thank god,” Raven moans. “Sloane wouldn’t let us stop to get anything to eat because she knew you’d do something like this.”
“Hey,” Sloane cries out in defense. “You were also the one complaining how you needed to get here so you can work early in the morning.”
Rolling her eyes, Raven walks to the kitchen. “You know I have to start work early tomorrow with the festival this weekend. I would’ve left last night if this trip was up to me. ”
“Well, you’re here now,” I remind them. “Let’s grab your things from the car and eat. I’m starving.”
By the time we unload their car and eat dinner, the sun is setting, so I suggest we go sit on the back deck to watch it like we used to when we were kids.
Settling onto the Adirondack chairs we have on the back deck, Sloane yawns. “I for one am looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow.”
“I wish,” Raven groans. “I start first thing in the morning—with the festival starting tomorrow.”
“What are your plans, Lanie?” Sloane asks, stifling another yawn.
Laughing at how pathetic she looks trying to pretend she’s not exhausted, I suggest, “You should go to bed, Sloane. You’re beat.”
Her voice fills with genuine concern. “You won’t mind?”
“We’ve got all summer. Go—get some sleep.”
Sloane stands and gives each of us a hug. “Sorry, I was up last night cramming for my final this morning. I’ll see you in the morning. Love you.”
When it’s just Raven and me, I take the time to check in with her. “Are you sure you want to work at the ropes course tomorrow?”
“Yeah. The money’s great and I want to help out.” Then she looks me up and down with care. “Have you been okay being here alone?”
“Yeah, I really have,” I assure her. “I think the most difficult time was when I first arrived. But being here—even without Nana, always brings me peace, ya know?”
“I swear, the house still smells like her,” Raven muses.
“Well, that’s because she still had a shitload of air fresheners,” I pointedly remind her. “She bought so many; I swear we’ll still be using it when we have kids of our own.”
Raven’s quiet for a long moment as she stares into the purple, orange, and yellow sunset. It’s nearly dark and there’s just a sliver of light left. Between the constant whir of the wind and the beautiful horizon, we sit in silence until the sky turns a dark navy blue against the horizon.
It’s Raven who breaks the silence with a whisper, “I miss her.”
“So do I, Raven. So do I.”
*****
I’m cleaning up the kitchen the next morning when there’s a knock at the door. Sloane’s upstairs sleeping and Raven just left for work. Hoping our unexpected visitor won’t ring the doorbell, I rush to the door.
To my surprise, Ryan’s on the other side with a cup of coffee in one hand and a bouquet of wildflowers in the other. “Hey, I wasn’t expecting you for another hour or so.”
“Hope you don’t mind. I was in the area and couldn’t wait that long to see you.”
Oh, my heart. Could he be any sweeter?
When I hesitate, he misunderstands and quickly says, “Would you rather I come back later?”
“No… not at all. Come in.” Stepping to the side, I make room for him to enter.
“Here, these are for you,” he says, handing me both the flowers and cup in his hand. “It’s an Oregon Chai. That’s what you said you liked yesterday, right?”
My chest tightens as butterflies swarm in my belly at the gesture. “Yeah. You got it right. But you didn’t have to get me one.”
“Well, I know you stayed up late last night visiting with your sisters and I wanted to do something nice for you.”
Looking around the house he asks, “Where are they?”
“Raven’s at work and Sloane’s sleeping,” I reply as I find a vase for the flowers. “I’m fairly certain she’ll sleep until noon. We were up pretty late last night.”
“Why were you up so early then?” he asks, standing at the counter beside me. “You’ve got me trained to be up before eight,” I tease. We have been texting for the past hour, so he shouldn’t be surprised I’m awake.
“Har… Har…” Changing the subject, he asks, “Have you eaten?”
“I’ve had some grapes; does that count?”
Ryan’s dopey grin makes me laugh. “It’s about time I get to treat you to a meal. Grab your things and let’s get going before tourists fill up the town.”
Seeing as it’s nearly nine, I highly doubt that.
“First, let me grab my books I want signed by the authors today.”
Rushing upstairs, I quickly brush my teeth and comb through my hair. Then I grab my tote bag and purse and join Ryan in the kitchen who greets me with a panty-melting smile.
When he sees my bag, he eyes it quizzically. “Isn’t the point of going to a signing—to get books there? ”
“Oh, I’ll get more. Trust me. Since many authors are traveling from out of state to attend, their supply is limited. They’ve encouraged us to bring our own books if we want them signed.”
Ryan links his hand in mine as he drives us across town to his favorite diner.
When we find lines stacked along the sidewalks, he suggests grabbing something in Manzanita, a few towns south of Seaside.
Usually, tourists who come for the festival stay close to Seaside or Cannon Beach, and if we go just a little further, we might find a diner that’s not packed with people.
After placing our orders at the small hole-in-the wall diner we found about twenty minutes away, Ryan reaches for my hand. “I know you’re busy for the next two weekends with your family, but what are your plans for the weekend after?”
“Most likely work, but I don’t have my schedule yet, why?”
Taking a sip of his orange juice, he casually states, “I’m going back to CRU for the weekend for a wedding. I’d love for you to be my date.”
“Won’t the bride go crazy having last minute guests?” Surely, he knows this, right?
Ryan shakes his head adamantly. “Not at all… In fact, it’s mainly just family and friends. It’s taking place in their backyard and there’s no formal head count—besides, I’m allowed a plus one.”
“Oh, Ryan,” I say, shaking my head at his logic. “There’s always a head count at weddings. Trust me. Even if it’s just a small wedding, I’ll stick out like a sore thumb.”
“Look, Vince is my best friend. It’s his sister getting married…
and well… they don’t have many people in their corner besides the friends they’ve made since college—but that’s their story to tell.
There’s nothing I won’t do for either of them.
I’m not sure how many people are coming from the groom’s side of the family, but from my understanding, it will only be his siblings and grandparents, along with their closest friends. ”
“Are you sure?” Taking a date to a wedding is a big deal—at least I consider it a big deal for such an important event.
When he pins me with those beautiful blue eyes, my heart skips a beat.
“Look—total disclosure. I’m selfish. I know you’re busy for the next few weeks and I really like spending time with you.
I still have my apartment near campus so it won’t cost us a ton of money.
And… I promise… I’ll bring more condoms than we can possibly need. ”
“Ohmigod.” I gasp, coving my mouth as I look around to see if anyone’s heard this sudden declaration. Then I hiss in disbelief, “You did not just say that.”
Instead of answering, he deflects, “You’re the one who made me promise to never forget them.”
“Touché.” He’s got me there.
The moment he knows he’s won, a triumphant smile spreads over his face.
“And before you attempt any more excuses, it’s a summertime, backyard wedding.
No one other than the bride and the groom are even wearing formal attire.
I’m wearing a pair of slacks and a button-up and any summer dress you own will be perfect. ”
“You say they’re from school. Will I know anyone?”
Letting out a heavy breath, he shrugs. “It depends. ”
“On…” I prompt, wondering why he seems hesitant.
“Whether you follow sports, I guess.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I demand, “Explain.”
“Well, I’m pretty sure a few guys from the basketball team will be there. Drew is pretty tight with Vince’s girlfriend, Sydney. His roommates, Grey and DeShawn, have been hanging out there a lot this spring… well, ever since Vanessa found out Grey couldn’t cook to save his life.”
“Okay…” I draw out, mulling over the names. I know of them, but don’t know any of the players personally. “Anyone else I might know?”
“Well, Damien—the groom, his sister is Charlotte Anne—the author you’re seeing today. I’m sure she and her husband, Luke, will be there.”
My jaw drops to the floor in the way that he mentions this so casually.
He continues before I can process his words.
“I haven’t officially met either of them, but I’m sure it’s just a matter of time.
Don’t say anything about it today when you meet.
She already lives in a fishbowl with her husband being the head coach for the Rainier Renegades.
I don’t want to take away her anonymity. ”
“I… I don’t even know what to say,” I ponder in awe over the information he’s dumped on me.
He shrugs as if my decision should be simple. “Say yes. Say you’ll go and be my date to the wedding. I need to at least make an appearance and help out where I can.”
“When are you leaving?” I ask, wondering if I can make this happen .
“I’m heading to CRU Thursday afternoon for the bachelor party, but the wedding’s Saturday.”
“I’m not sure I can take that much time off.” When his shoulders slouch and his face fills with disappointment, I quickly add, “But I’ll ask for Saturday and Sunday off. Worse case, I’ll drive myself back to campus. It’s not like I haven’t done it a million times before.”
Reaching across the table, Ryan squeezes my hand. “Thanks, Lanie.”