Chapter Twelve
Wren
L ike a lovesick fool, I slipped a silky hairband over my straightened locks, hoping it would keep them from curling or frizzing, after I slipped into my first-class seat. I couldn’t avoid closing my eyes for a beat, breathing deep, and trying to calm myself. This moment was overtaking me, my heart racing and my brain running at sixty miles an hour (an impossible feat, but I was accomplishing it).
Earlier this morning, when I’d walked into work with my slicked straight hair, Genie hadn’t been able to help herself, raising a lone eyebrow.
“Don’t, Regina,” I’d warned her.
“I didn’t do a thing,” she’d stated, looking back at her charts.
“I’ll cancel if you start,” I’d further threatened, thumbing through my phone, knowing I was lying.
“Oh, please. You wouldn’t cancel even if Smyth asked you to cover him tomorrow.” She spoke without looking up, but I could see her grinning by the smallest of small wrinkles outside her eyes.
“Did he? I could cover him. He probably only has a few surgeries scheduled.” I laced a tinge of hope in my voice, hoping I was convincing. Needing to cover for a partner was a valid excuse not to go this weekend—I should grab it while I could.
“No, he did not cancel. Off to Cali you go, ready to fall head over heels,” Genie said, looking up, this time with a smarmy smirk.
So, here I was, on my way to see Daniel Campbell in California. It had been close to a month since we shared a kiss, welcoming the new year with both hope and a fear I hadn’t held in decades. In fairness, I had tried to get the man out of my mind, but not even an exorcism would remove the memory of Daniel from my damn brain. I’d spent the better part of the month trying to purge him from my mind.
“Can I get you anything before we take off?” The airline attendant stopped by my seat, a bright smile across her face, dragging me from my self-loathing.
“Water?”
“Still or sparkling?”
Against my better judgment I had allowed Daniel to send me a ticket, which was why I was seated in first class. “Still is fine, thank you.”
Between the luxury seat, my ironed hair, and of course the bikini wax, I was in deeper than I’d imagined.
We’d messed around when I was twenty-one years old, and both lived a lifetime since then. He’d been married; I’d held an imaginary candle in complete contradiction to my mature demeanor. There was no reason either of us should still be carrying a flame for the other. Yet we did— I did . That much was clear when we began texting and calling every few days after he returned to the West Coast.
At first, he would send pranks, like Ouch, my knee is hurting!
My phone dinged as my still water arrived and I chanced a look, hoping and praying it wasn’t Daniel. I was nervous enough. Texting with him would only make it worse.
Did you get on the plane?
Sella. She’d been the one person I’d kept in touch with from college in Arizona, seeing one another at least once a year since I’d left for medical school.
Yes, I’m here.
You’re going to have the best time. The tension has been mounting for 20 years…
I took a sip of my water as the rest of the plane boarded, and wondered if I could get off.
Stop thinking so much. You’re not strangers. You are visiting an old friend.
It was as if Sella could read my mind from her home office in Las Vegas. While I ran to the East Coast after college, Sella stayed and got a real estate license in Nevada. She’d been a top producer since her first year, and I didn’t see her ever slowing down.
This is the wildest thing I’ve ever done.
It was. Despite my hot temper and fiery personality, I was a Goody-Two-Shoes, pragmatic, and weighed every decision. Everyone knew this about me.
It was a strange combination, my disposition combined with my list making. But it was me, nonetheless. It was also why I followed what my parents wanted and not what I’d dreamed about. And a small reason why I decided to take this trip.
Remember when we met Daniel? We were adventurous-ish. You’re successful and independent now. You can let up a little. Xo
I didn’t know how she knew what to say, but Sella quieted my mind for a minute and I relaxed back into my seat. The flight attendant collected my glass and I closed my eyes, allowing my mind to drift.
To Daniel, of course.
He’d been asking me to visit since the day he flew back to California. I’d resisted until I finally relented. Between Genie at work, and Sella, I didn’t have a choice.
Unable to stop the bombardment of thoughts, I stuck in earbuds and hit play on a meditation. Sadly, I played the damn thing on repeat, not reaping one benefit of the relaxation exercise, and I was as strung out as a giant string cheese upon departing the plane.
There he is.
Daniel stood in the baggage claim, wearing dark jeans and a navy cashmere sweater, sneakers, and Ray-Bans, holding a sign that read, Birdie .
Shaking my head, letting my hair fall loose after removing the scarf-like band, I realized my whole face was smiling. I could feel even my eyes squinting in delight, and none of it was forced.
“You’re here, in La La Land , Birdie,” he said, pulling me in for an embrace.
I didn’t know something could feel new and unique while also seeming like an old comfort of home. Yet here I was, experiencing the strange dichotomy. “I’m here, and Wren is actually fine,” I whispered.
“Okay, Doc…but Birdie is cuter.”
I side-eyed him without saying a word.
“The real question is does Rourke know who you came to see without him?” Daniel asked as he flung his arm around my shoulder, stealing my suitcase with his free hand, and guided me out of the airport.
“He was not happy with me when I dropped him at Genie’s. She runs a tight ship and doesn’t allow him on the furniture, but I know she loves him and overfeeds him. Food is her love language.”
We strolled toward a parking area, Daniel’s arm still firmly entrenched over my shoulders. “And what’s yours?”
“My what?” We walked side by side, our gazes unable to meet, making the following remark easier to handle.
“Your love language?”
I felt the breath whoosh from me and a panic crept up my chest. All of a sudden I was embarrassed of myself, trekking across the country for a man I held nothing more than a glorified crush on.
“Don’t do that.” His words came out soft and he gave a small squeeze to my shoulder. “Don’t clam up. I know it’s awkward. Us, a long time ago, now…and you were my doctor.” He stopped in his tracks and winked, and I wanted to die on the spot.
“Now you made it awkward! You know the doctor thing drove me crazy.”
“Come on,” he said, leading me toward a midnight blue Range Rover.
“Makes sense. These are pretty much standard out here?” I raised an eyebrow, deciding taunting and teasing was the best way to go. Seriousness made me too nervous.
“They give them out as housewarming gifts…” He couldn’t even help laughing as he said it, grabbing my suitcase and tossing it in the back before rounding the side and opening the door for me.
“How do you feel?” I felt compelled to ask as we made our way onto the road. “Your knee? Therapy? Everything coming along?”
“Sure is. I’m good as new. Ready to start playing golf, but I don’t think I’ll be skiing next year. Maybe snowboarding…”
I couldn’t help but turn and look at him wide-mouthed. “Snowboarding? That’s even more dangerous for your knee. And all your other aging body parts.”
He merged onto a highway among a cacophony of horns, muted electric cars, and mammoth gas guzzlers steamrolling their way around. “I’m going to report you to the Ski Association, maybe the Winter Sports Bureau, for slander. By the way, you make a living off people’s aging body parts, dare I say?”
“Those are not even real associations,” I couldn’t help but say through a laugh. “And I love the winter sports just fine. All the sports. You know? Someone needs to care for all you reckless men…and the women.” I looked out the window, allowing the sun to warm my face through the glass.
“No more skiing if you promise not to steal away into the night again. Deal?” Daniel flashed me a quick smile.
“First, it was barely night. We’d only just got back from dinner a bit before. Second, your dad didn’t really give me a choice. And third, no way you’re giving up skiing.”
“One, you’re right, it wasn’t morning, but I wasn’t finished with you in my bed. Two, my dad isn’t an issue anymore. I’m my own man and he doesn’t make the rules. And three, you’re probably right again.”
Swallowing, I nodded. Here we were, partly joking or maybe half serious, but we’d gone and mentioned college. “We dove right into the past… And now what?” I couldn’t help myself from asking.
“My dad is old, and I don’t need his involvement anymore. I never did. My eyes were on the prize, and I got that and more. I wouldn’t have listened to him back then.” Daniel stayed with exploring back then.
We exited off the highway and headed up small tree-lined streets with restaurants and cafés.
I still hadn’t said a word in response to his familial declaration when he asked, “Hungry? Feel like getting something to eat?”
“Actually, I am. But is this okay?” I flared my hand in front of the flowy travel pants and purple blouse I wore.
“Of course.” He pulled the car into a valet spot and said, “Let’s go.”
Apparently, we’d left the past behind and were fully seated in the present.