And yet another shrug. “I don’t know. I think it could be.” We come to a stop next to my car. “And, like Mike, after I got the news about Matt, it made me think about what I’m doing with my life. I haven’t been in a serious relationship in years, in the next five years I’ll be taking over the law firm from my dad, I own my house, but I’m alone. And I don’t want to be.”
“Dude, do not tell me you’re hooking up with Vanessa just because you’re lonely, because that would be super shitty.” Mike’s tone is still a bit snappish.
“It’s not. You know I had a huge crush on her in high school, but we were all friends. Plus, she was dating Scott and…” He shudders. “That guy could have broken me in half like a twig. There was no way I was getting in the middle of that.”
For a minute, no one says anything, but then Mike huffs out a breath and paces back and forth. “This is going to complicate everything. If things go south, no one’s going to be able to hang out together.”
“Nothing’s going to go south, okay? Vanessa and I have talked about it a lot and we’re in a good place. Have a little faith. I think we’re all still in shock over Matt and we’re all being reflective. I hate that it happened this way, but maybe this is the wake-up call we all needed. We’ve been coasting along like we’re afraid to fully grow up.”
I hate how he’s right. I know I’ve been burying myself in my job, but it’s kept me from having to commit to anything or anyone.
Now I have a feeling this trip to the beach is going to turn into one long group therapy session.
I’m about to try to come up with an excuse so I can back out—two weeks of therapy is definitely not my thing, no matter how relaxing the location is—but that’s me going into avoidance mode and…
Yeah, okay. Maybe I do need some therapy.
And I guess there are worse places to have it than the beach.
“We have two weeks to work this all out,” I say, interrupting the two of them. “How about for today, we focus on our friend and having a drink in his honor?”
They both readily agree and personally, I am more than ready for the distraction.
5
OLIVIA
The drive to the beach is uneventful, but I’m totally okay with it.
Most of yesterday is a bit of a blur thanks to a few too many margaritas, and we decided to cut the night short since we wanted to get on the road early today.
I’m in the backseat of Vanessa’s SUV—Loren called shotgun—and Roxie is following us because she has her dogs.
Dogs. As in plural.
Personally, I don’t mind them coming with us because I know she needs them, but I’m glad I’m not rooming with her. The pug snores, the Frenchie snores, and the yellow lab doesn’t realize how big he is. How Roxie gets any sleep is beyond me, but as long as they’re helping her, more power to her.
“It’s been forever since I’ve been to the house,” I say as I lazily stretch out in the backseat. “I always remember how bright it is and the amazing views.”
Loren turns and grins. “It hasn’t changed a bit. Literally. The place looks exactly the same as it did the last time you were here.”
Well, that’s a bummer. It was outdated ten years ago.
“In my family’s defense,” Vanessa interjects, “we’re going to start the renovations after we all leave. That’s one reason I could convince everyone to let us have the time. Just know that we might have to deal with contractors coming through while we’re there.”
“Fine by me,” I say. “I plan on sitting out on the deck with my laptop so I can enjoy the sound of the waves and write.”
“You’re not going to write the entire time, though, right?” Loren asks. “I get that it was a huge selling point to get you to come, but I really want us all to spend time together.”
Vanessa coughs and it sounds forced, not like a real thing.
Weird.
“I mean…spending time with friends is important. Especially after what happened to Matt. Life is precious and we need to remember to take the time to be with the people we love!”
“I agree,” I say, and immediately yawn. “How much farther, Van?”
“Forty-five minutes tops!”
