“Don’t worry. I already checked. There are a few awful ones, of course, but mostly, everyone is positive. A lot of them had the same reaction I did.”
“You never told me you watched it. What did you think?”
“Of course I watched it. Duh. You’re my best friend. I made Chase watch too. Mostly, I just kept asking myself why it was so interesting when it was just regular people talking. That should be boring, right?”
“No. I think it’s kind of the same as people watching videos of kids napping with their dogs or organizing their cupboards. The best kind of Internet is the kind that reminds you we’re all in this together.”
“I’m pretty sure the best kind of Internet is the kind that shows you what Henry Cavill looks like without his shirt on, but sure, making your plates stack up nice is a close second.”
“Fucking Cavill!” Chase shouted from the back room.
“Love you!” Bren shouted back, winking at me.
I had no idea how a dipshit like Stone Caseman had stumbled upon my video, but I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I felt even better when I saw the viewer counts ticking up on my other videos, as though the world had discoveredFashion Vibes with Francescaat the perfect time.
The same time I’d truly discovered who Francesca was for myself.
Just before noon, Bren and Chaseleft for work. Finally alone, I pulled out my phone to text Will. He beat me to it.
WILL:FYI, I never claimed to have any chill. I’m just sitting at home taking it easy. That was literally my entire plan for the day. Come by and keep me company.
WILL:I’m sure we can find something to keep us occupied.
WILL:Some usual activities for me to resume.
ME:I’ll be over in a little while.
I hopped in the shower and prettied myself up a bit, excited to finally tell Will about my move.
And I wouldn’t mind getting an up close tour of his bedroom.
Half an hour later, wearing my best-fitting jeans and a body-hugging plum cashmere sweater with my mother’s silver holiday wreath brooch, I knocked on Will’s door.
It opened on a confident swing.
But it wasn’t Will on the other side.
I blinked, needing to check I hadn’t entered some alternate dimension. I pushed my heel into the floor beneath my feet and saw the vintage light fixture above me. All real.
Too real.
Even though five years had passed, I’d have known the woman standing in front of me anywhere. Same blond hair. Same fake smile.
“Yes?” Rosalyn asked, and I realized she didn’t recognize me. That tracked. My hair was different. And of course, Will had never told her that the woman they’d run into in the hotellobby five years ago was important to him. Someone she should remember.
“Is Will here?” I asked, keeping my voice level.
She looked over her shoulder. I glanced down and noticed she wore Will’s sweatpants. I’d gotten familiar with them last week and knew he owned several pairs. Her T-shirt was a men’s crew neck. In Will’s size.
A lump formed in my throat as a heaviness invaded my head, spreading to my fingertips.
“He just hopped in the shower,” she said. “Are you a tenant? I can give him a message.”
Her hair looked like she’d just come through a wind tunnel.
“Um, no. No message. I’ll catch him later, I guess.”
“Okay.” She shut the door in my face.
