Chapter Fourteen
Ican’t believe Shane asked me to stay beyond the three weeks I had booked. I sure am happy about it, though. I’ve been dreading having to go home in fourteen short days.
Now we have the whole summer.
Well, just about. He did say we’d have to go by early August. With how well we get along, I may just stay till then.
Who knows?
One thing, though, is that I should have checked with Shay before agreeing to stay. After all, we do share a business.
Can I really be gone for that long?
I don’t want it to look like I’m abandoning her.
I’m in my bedroom now, sitting on my bed. I’m in my sleep shorts and a baggy tee, about to go to sleep soon. But since it’s not really super late, I decide to call Shay and get her up to speed on what’s going on.
If she wants me to come back on time, I will. Though I sure will be sad about leaving Shane.
First things first, let’s talk to Shay.
I call, and she answers on the second ring.
Good, she’s not sleeping yet.
After we greet each other, she asks, “So, have you banged the hockey dude yet?”
“Oh my God,” I breathe out. “You are impossible. Didn’t I tell you he and I are just going to be friends?”
“You did, yes,” she confirms. “But you’ve been there a whole week, and I thought maybe things have changed.”
Shaking my head and laughing, I inform her, “No, nothing has changed. At least, not regarding that. But we have been spending a ton of time together, and I really like him. He’s super nice and easy to be around.”
“Okay, let’s see…” She starts ticking off items. “He’s a professional hockey player, he’s super hot, you two enjoy spending time together, you live in the same city, and he’s nice.
Girl!” she exclaims. “Where is the problem here? Why are you stuck on this ‘friends’ thing? Live a little, Willa. Have some fun. You deserve it.”
Bristling and feeling a little defensive, I say, “I am having fun. And I’m not stuck on the ‘friends’ thing.
It’s just that that is what we agreed to.
” Deciding to come clean, I add softly, “Truthfully, I don’t know how he feels, Shay.
I’m not going to make a move and look like a fool. That could ruin everything.”
“Aha,” she states victoriously. “So you do like him in that way. You’re just holding back.”
“Yes,” I admit. “I have a crush. I mean, how could I not?”
Finally understanding, she says kindly, “I get you. Too bad you don’t have more time there. Things could maybe unfold naturally.”
Here’s my chance.
“Umm, about that…”
“What?” she asks. “What’s going on?”
Wincing, I ask her, “How would you feel about me hanging out down here for a while longer? Earlier today, Shane asked me to stay.”
“What?” she cries out. “No way! This is perfect. You have to stay now.”
I sigh. “Yeah, but what about our business? I feel awful putting it all on you during our busiest season. Three weeks of me being gone is bad enough.”
“It’s not bad at all,” she replies. “In fact, I’ve been doing just fine. Besides, if you recall, I was the one who insisted you go.”
“I know,” I say. “But not for practically the whole summer. Shane has this place till the beginning of August.”
“Wow!” Shay exclaims. “Nice.”
I’m quick to clarify, “I can always come back much earlier than that, though.”
But she insists, “No, no. Stay as long as you like, hon. I have an idea anyway.”
“What’s that?”
“You have your laptop with you, right?”
“I do,” I confirm.
“Okay, so how about if I send you all of our end-of-the-week reports each Saturday? That way, you can stay up-to-date on the business and give me your input on things.”
Excited, and loving this idea, I say, “I think that sounds great.”
“See? This is all going to work out perfectly.”
I know she means more than just our new business arrangement. Shay is such a romantic.
“We’ll see,” I say softly.
“Yes, we will,” she replies. “Now, Willa, go get your guy.”
Ha!
If only it were that easy.
Though now I have something on my side that I didn’t before—time.