“When did you get glasses?” I ask.
Gretchen grabs the ice bucket in the kitchenette and spins to me. “Um…” She pushes the glasses up a bit and there’s a modesty there that I find way too charming. “Couple years ago, I think. Apparently, reading too much leads to tired eyes. These are only for when I don’t have my contacts in.”
“They’re cute.” She avoids my stare, but I don’t miss her grin as she passes by me.
“You can have the bathroom first. I’m gonna go fill this up,” she says as she waves the empty bucket over her shoulder and swipes a room key off the entry table. I’m left smiling like a starry-eyed fool when she walks out the door.
I usethe bathroom to brush my teeth and change into a pair of athletic shorts and a t-shirt, Gretchen schlepping in gobs of face and hair products as soon as I tell her I’m done.
Once I hear the shower turn on, I text Lauren.
Me
Can I call you now?
My anxiety as I wait for her to reply turns to frustration when I realize I forgot about the two-hour time difference since Arizona doesn’t observe Daylight Savings.
Several minutes later, her reply finally comes through.
Lauren
I’m up.
Stepping onto the balcony, I close the sliding door behind me and steady myself with a deep breath. She answers on the second ring.
“Hi,” she says.
“Hi.” I settle on one of the patio chairs. “How are you?”
“I’m okay,” she exhales. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Sorry I scared you. I ended up having to leave town suddenly.”
“Oh—”
“And I forgot about the time difference. I’m sorry it’s so late.”
“That’s okay. Where are you?”
“I’m in Arizona.” I pause, momentarily paralyzed over how much I should tell her. Lauren’s insecurities got the best of her when she met Gretchen at dinner last month and I don’t want to give her a reason to spiral when there’s nothing to spiral over. But I don’t want to lie to her either.
“That trip with Drew and Gretchen?” Her subdued tone strikes my analyzing thoughts dead.
“Yeah, so…” I pinch the skin along my forehead. “Drew called this morning in a panic. Something’s going on with Reagan, but he won’t tell me what it is. Gretchen was already on her way here and he felt terrible for having to bail, so he asked me to come instead.”
I lean forward and rest a forearm on my bouncing knee.
“Oh.” The sound of defeat nearly guts me, but she goes on. “I guess that explains why Reagan hasn’t returned my calls.”
“Yeah. Drew promised they’re gonna be okay, but that’s all I know.”
“Well, that’s good, I guess.”
Her voice quivers, breaths shallow and tight. “Lauren, please don’t cry,” I plead, head in my hand.God, I hate making her cry.
She sniffles. “It’s okay. I’m fine. I promise.”
“I’m really sorry. Not just for today but…everything. It was really shitty of me to not return your calls or messages. You don’t deserve that.”
