Page 64 of Divine Sense
“Oh my god, can you all just chill out so we can play? Do we need to take a break for everyone to take a cold shower?” Conrad groaned from his seat. Bailey rolled her eyes at him and looked at me.
“Come on, let’s leave the nerds to it.”
I followed her into the living room that was just off the dining room and took a seat on the couch across from the oversized chair she had tucked herself into. She had a small crossbody she’d been wearing that she set on the coffee table between us. I saw a book start to slide out of it and moved to grab it so it didn’t fall to the floor.
“Do you read much?” she asked, tilting her head as she asked.
“Uhh, not really. I was more of a TV kid growing up. I never really got into books.”
“What do you like to watch?” She beamed at me, genuinely looking interested in what I had to say. Without even trying, she made me instantly feel like one of the group.
“I’m definitely one of those people who watches the same show over and over again. When I find something I like, I have a hard time veering away from it, so I have a few shows I keep on repeat. I love to watchGilmore Girlsthough, it’s my go-to. I rewatch it every?—”
“Fall? Me too.” Bailey’s voice raised an octave as she finished my thought. “Call me crazy, but Paris is the best character inthat entire series. And I can only dream of growing up and becoming Babette. She’s just crazy enough that everyone can’t help but love her. I resonate with that.” We both laughed when she brought her hand to her chest as she raved about her favorite characters.
“No, but actually she and Miss Patty are the best. They always make me laugh. I think Lorelai is my favorite, she and I live oddly similar lives. The parallels are almost spooky sometimes…” my voice trailed off and my belly did a flip, suddenly thinking about my parents. What they might say if they knew where I was…and who I was with.
Sensing my unease, Bailey reached over and brushed my hand. “You wanna watch an episode?”
“I’d love to,” I agreed through a forced smile.
Over the next several hours, Bailey and I talked over the episodes, raving about our favorite characters and episodes and how much we wished they would do another revival.What the hell was that cliffhanger anyway?While we became fast friends, Kolbi and the guys played their game in the other room, happy as could be. A few times, we would turn and listen to the story Kolbi was spinning and I marveled at just how good of a story teller he was. This was a side of him I had yet to see and I loved it just as much as the other sides I’d already come to know.
When the night came to a close, Bailey gave me a tight hug goodbye and told me that we would do a rewatch together next week at game night. Kolbi took my hand and walked me upstairs as I was staying with him tonight. Over the last few hours I’d tried my best to not think about the stress I’d felt before the evening started but as I slipped in next to him and the silence of the night started to settle in, the feeling of dread began to creep back into my belly.
Not the feeling of dread that I wouldn’t fit into his life.
But the feeling of dread that he wouldn’t fit into mine.
* little devil
41
KOLBI
Hey angel, I’m heading to your parent’s house now. You aren’t going to be there, right? You’re heading to barre right now?
Isent the text off quickly before pulling out of the parking lot. The Sinclairs had called me on Monday to discuss the final details of their summer campaign fundraiser which was happening right before the Fourth of July. With it being two weeks away, they wanted to make sure we were all on the same page with the level of security they would be needing. William had pulled ahead in the forecasting polls and they were expecting a large turnout for this fundraiser.
No, I won’t be there today.
Wait, how did you know I was heading to barre? Did I tell you I was going to class?
I squeezed my eyes shut, annoyed by my own misstep in assuming I knew where she was when she hadn’t told me. I knew though because I had just opened the app I used to checkthe trackers I had on the important people in my life and saw the little flower emoji heading down Church Street towards her barre studio.
Yeah I think so, the last time you were over I think.
Liar.
Bummer I won’t see you till tonight though.
Well, maybe not because I do have a hard time keeping my hands off of you when you’re around Especially when you’re wearing those tight yoga pants and crop tops.
Down boy, don’t go getting all riled up before heading into the lion’s den.
Here’s something to hold you over though
A text came through with a photo of her she’d clearly snapped while walking down the street. The sun was shining and she was pushing her lips towards the camera, carrying her yoga mat under one arm and blowing a kiss to her phone with her hand. I looked at the image and couldn’t stop myself from smiling as I clicked the little down arrow next to the photo to save it to my phone.
