“I mean, it’s not super exciting on the surface, but with a little creative finessing, it totally could be amazing! Oh my goodness! I need to go. I need to go write! I have all these ideas suddenly. I love you and I’ll talk to you tomorrow! Goodnight!”
And before I know it, I’m listening to nothing.
“She hung up. She actually hung up on me.” I’m not sure if I’m offended or happy that I inspired her, but ultimately decide to be happy. My mission is complete.
And tomorrow’s another day for me to maybe add to this story she’s plotting tonight.
Huh. Maybe I am a superhero…
My phone is ringing, and I swear it’s way too early for it. Maybe I’m dreaming. After all, it’s Saturday—my day off—and when I left work yesterday, there weren’t any issues. But when the phone just keeps ringing, I know I have to see who it is.
“And try not to strangle them for waking me up,” I mumble around a yawn.
I blink the phone into focus and see Olivia’s face and instantly swipe the screen.
“Hey, good morning,” I say gruffly.
“Hey, I’m so sorry to wake you up, but we’re getting ready to head back to Raleigh and I really wanted to walk on the beach with you one last time.”
Walk on the beach…?
“Metaphorically,” she clarifies. “I’ll be walking on the beach while talking to you. It will almost be like you’re here with me.”
“Oh. Oh, okay,” I say, yawning again. Sitting up, I stack the pillows behind me and get comfortable. “Are your toes already in the sand?”
“They are! I wish yours were too.”
“Me too, beautiful. Me too.” And yet another yawn. “Are you all packed?”
“I am. We cleaned up everything yesterday so we wouldn’t have to do too much today. Because construction’s starting next week, we didn’t have to do much. Everything’s going to get covered in dust and debris, so it was just the basics. We were good about finishing most of the food too. Vanessa had us strip the beds and she’s doing all the laundry, Roxie’s out walking the dogs and hoping to tire them out, and Loren’s…hmm…I’m not exactly sure what she’s doing.”
“What time do you think you’ll be on the road?”
“We said we were going to meet back in the kitchen at eleven—so that’s in an hour—and have an early lunch so we won’t have to stop anywhere on the way home unless we need to. Obviously Roxie’s going to stop with the dogs, but other than maybe getting gas or taking a bathroom break, the drive home should be relatively straight through.”
“And is tonight the Cheesecake Factory night, or is that tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow. Tonight we are all doing our own thing. Well, sort of. Vanessa’s stuck with me, but we don’t have plans to all hang out together. I think Zayne is supposed to bring dinner over for us, but I’m not sure. I feel bad horning in on their time together when they’d probably rather be alone, but they’ll be rid of me in a few days.”
“They’re adults, Liv. I’m sure they’ll live without being alone tonight. And since we’re all adults, he might stay over.”
“Ugh…I didn’t think of that. Her place is kind of small. I really hope I don’t hear them doing anything. Maybe I should have ordered those earplugs when I had the chance, huh?” she teases.
“You’ll be fine. It’s only one night.” I shift slightly and stretch. “Is the beach crowded already?”
“It’s getting there. The weather is gorgeous as usual. It’s supposed to be in the high 90s. Oh!”
“What?” I sit up straighter. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“What? Yes! Oh, Ash…I can see the dolphins! There’s a whole pod of them! Wow!” She sighs loudly. “Now I really wish you were here with me! This is so cool!”
“I’m sure it is,” I tell her.
For the next few minutes, she continues to walk, and we talk about nothing in particular—mostly the beach and what she’s going to miss about it. But when she gasps again, I swear she nearly gives me a heart attack.
“What? Now what’s going on?”
“Son of a bitch…”
