Mike: Not really.
Mike: We’re at this historic hotel downtown. That’s where she was heading when I found her. She had already booked a room, so I think we’re going to crash here tonight.
Wow. Olivia totally nailed that situation too.
Impressive.
Ash: Um…okay. As long as Loren’s okay.
Ash: Do you need anything?
Not that I can help since I’m stranded without a vehicle…
Mike: No, but thanks. We’re good.
Mike: Any word on Roxie?
Ash: Nothing yet. I kind of feel like it’s going to be awhile.
Mike: What a freaking mess.
Mike: Glad we at least got to have some fun earlier because I have a feeling it’s going to be a long freaking time until it happens again.
Ash: The dust just needs to settle. Tomorrow’s another day.
Mike: We’ll see.
Mike: Are you and Oliva okay? We all sort of bailed on you.
Ash: We’re fine. There’s plenty of food here and if we need to, we can get something delivered. We’re just concerned about the rest of you.
Mike: Thanks. Just plan on seeing us sometime tomorrow, okay?
Ash: Sounds good. And good luck.
He doesn’t respond to that, and I’m confident that our conversation is done for now.
“One crisis solved…one more to go,” I murmur before grabbing a towel and heading down the stairs.
Olivia’s out on the deck, her head tilted back letting the late afternoon sun shine on her face. It’s the most relaxed she’s been since we got out of bed this morning, and I desperately want to keep her in that zone.
But I also need to give her the update I just got.
She hears the slide of the glass doors open and turns to smile at me. “That was fast.” This time she approaches me and initiates the kiss, and I take a moment to savor it. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted some wine or something to snack on or…”
“I wouldn’t say no to a glass of wine.”
This clearly pleases her because she practically skips over to one of the low tables by the lounges and holds up two glasses. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
We take our glasses and carefully climb into the hot tub, and I have to admit, it feels fantastic.
“Did you hear from anyone?” she asks, and I tell her about my texts with Mike. “You called it.”
“I know my friends,” she tells me. “I was hoping to be wrong, though.”
“Yeah, I was kind of hoping that too. No offense.”
She scoots close to me as we sink a little lower under the water. “None taken. In a perfect world, everyone would have their time-outs and come back so we can all have dinner together. I’m not holding out hope on that one. We already know Mike and Loren won’t be here, so…”
