“They said okay, as long as it’s okay with you and I wouldn’t be in your way.” I can picture her, slight grimace on her face, nibbling on her thumbnail while she waits for my response.
“Sweetie, you’re never in my way.”
“That’s what I told them.”
We both laugh, and just like that, we start setting it up. By the time Reggie and I get back to the hotel and I reserve a room for Chloe—listen, I love my niece, but I still need to work, and her teenage lifestyle of late nights and sleeping until noon doesn’t jibe with mine—I’m super excited for her arrival.
“She’s a great kid,” I say to Serena later that evening as we sit in her courtyard sipping a crisp Pinot Grigio. “I really want her to meet you.”
“I look forward to it,” Serena says, stroking my dog’s back as he sits draped over her thigh on her glider. “When does she get here?”
“Next week,” I say. “My brother is notorious for waiting until the last minute. I’m guessing Chloe’s been asking him about it since I got here. So, I used my points and got her booked.”
“And she’s okay flying alone?”
“Her parents are big travelers, so she’s flown several times already. She’s an old pro.” It’s one thing I don’t worry about when it comes to Chloe. She’s smart and savvy and takes no shit. She’s got tons more confidence than I had at her age.
“Well, I’m thrilled you’re going to have a visitor from home.”
“Me too.” We sip our wine, and it’s still surprising to me how comfortable I feel hanging with Serena, despite only knowing her for a very short time. “Do you think some people are just meant to meet? Meant to be friends?” It’s a sappy question, and I give her a look that I hope tells her I’m aware of that fact.
She grins, though, taking away any of my worry. “You mean like me and you?” At my nod, she says, “Absolutely. I think people come into our lives for a reason. We don’t always know what that reason is, but we learn something from everybody that crosses our path.”
“Yeah? What are you learning from me?” My tone is slightly teasing.
Hers is not, and her voice goes soft. “I’m being reminded what it feels like to have a good friend.”
I don’t know where the lump in my throat came from, but it’s suddenly there. “That’s really sweet. I’m very glad we met.” I hold up my wine glass in salute and she does the same, and we sip. “So, what am I learning from you, then?”
“You’re learning how to lighten the hell up and see things that are right in front of your eyes.”
“Interesting. Like?”
“Like joy. Like contentment. Like opportunity.”
I tip my head slightly as her words land. “Interesting,” I say again. “Are you therapizing me?”
“Is that even a word?” She scoffs, but she’s teasing me. “I thought you were a writer.”
“That’s what they tell me.”
We laugh softly and then she says, “How’s Marina? Seen her lately?”
And then we’re off, and I’m telling her all about the wine tasting from the other day and how much fun we had. “I think she shook something loose because I’m writing. Not a ton. And maybe not that great, but it doesn’t suck. I wrote this morning and was actually happy with it.”
“It sounds like she’s been helpful.”
“She really has. In fact, I want to text her again. She said she had a list of other places to show me.”
“She’s a fabulous guide,” Serena says. “I’m so glad you two are enjoying each other’s company.”
I give a little snort-laugh. “I mean, I’m enjoying hers, but I’m sure it’s work for her, so…” I shrug and reach for my glass, but Ria is suddenly there and tops it off for me. Seriously, the woman moves like a ninja.
“Oh, I don’t think it’s work for her.” Serena sips her wine and gazes over the rim at me like she knows something.
Hmm. Cryptic. Well, kinda.
“Regardless, she’s been amazing. And I really want her to meet Chloe. I think they’d hit it off.” I had a vision earlier, after I booked Chloe’s flight, of her and Marina. They were laughing and joking, and I don’t know where it came from, but it filled me with such joy.
