Chapter Thirty
CHAPTER THIRTY
Amy gave Riley a ride to the airport in Hyannis the next afternoon. The twins rode in the back seat and were sound asleep ten minutes after they left Chatham.
“This is usually the time they go down, so it worked out perfectly,” Amy said.
“It gives us time to visit, too,” Riley said. “I feel like I’ve hardly seen you since I’ve been home.” They talked by phone every day or so, but still Riley had thought she’d see more of her sister.
“You’ll understand someday when you have kids. These two keep me busy,” Amy said.
Riley peeked into the back seat where the two girls were sleeping peacefully. “They look so angelic,” she said.
Amy laughed. “They are perfect children when they’re asleep. They’re not so bad when they’re awake. They’re good kids. Speaking of kids, how was your trip to Edaville?”
“It was fun. Luke loved it.”
“I bet he did. He’s adorable.”
“He is,” Riley agreed.
“And he still believes in Santa?” Amy asked.
Riley thought about that for a moment. “I’m not sure. He sat on Santa’s lap but he wouldn’t tell us what he asked for. Said it was a secret. I think he might know what is going on and is just playing along. I did that for a few years. I wasn’t ready to give it up.”
Amy grinned. “And at the same time you were searching the house high and low to see if you could find where Mom hid the presents.”
Riley laughed. “I did. I didn’t really want to see them, though. Just to check that they were somewhere in the house. That they existed.”
“Has Jack mentioned marriage at all lately?”
“No. Not at all. We talked about it a year or so ago and we both agreed that neither of us is in a rush for that. He’s focused on making partner and he’s still going to be working crazy hours for a while after that. A few more years probably.”
“Well, that’s a long time to wait. You should talk to him about taking a step toward that, at least. You could move in with him?”
“Maybe. I’ll think about it.” Riley knew it was probably a good idea, if she was sure she wanted to marry Jack. But she wasn’t completely sure that she did. And if she wasn’t sure, then it didn’t seem right to ask about living together.
When they reached the airport, Amy pulled up to the front door and leaned over to give Riley a quick hug. “Have a safe flight. Call me on Friday and I’ll pick you up.”
“Thanks, I will.” Riley turned to say goodbye to the girls, too, but they were fast asleep. “See you on Friday.”
Riley had a smooth flight back to LaGuardia and jumped in an Uber soon after she landed. She only had a carry-on bag so she didn’t have to wait for luggage. It was still early, just a little before seven, but traffic was still heavy and it took over an hour to get to her apartment.
She unlocked her apartment door and stepped inside. It seemed unusually quiet without Lily there. She was probably curled up on her mother’s lap by now as the two of them watched TV. Riley smiled, picturing it. She tossed her bag in her bedroom and dialed Jack’s number. She wondered if he was still working. He answered on the second ring.
“Hey there! Are you back in town?”
“Just got here. What are you up to?”
“I’m at the office still.” He laughed. “What else is new? I’m here for at least another hour, maybe two. After that, I’m heading home, eating some leftover cold pizza, and falling into bed. Then I’ll get up and do it again tomorrow. It might not be as late of a night, though. We could grab a drink and maybe a bite to eat when I finish up if you like?”
Riley smiled and her apartment suddenly felt less lonely. “I’d like that.”
“Great. Oh, and good luck on your interviews tomorrow. We can have a drink to celebrate that, too.”
“Thanks. I don’t know if it will be a final interview, though.”
“Oh, it will be. They know you have a final elsewhere tomorrow, so they moved quickly. They don’t like to lose. I’ll be shocked if you don’t get an offer quickly.”
“Really?” Riley was surprised by that. And she remembered something she’d forgotten to ask earlier. “Do you know why the position is open?”
Jack was quiet for a moment. “I’m not exactly sure. I think she went into a different industry.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Call me after your interview. I might be able to finish up early and we can head out from there.”
“I will.” Riley ended the call and went to make herself a peanut butter sandwich and a cup of tea. She needed to eat and get a good night’s sleep.