“You heard me. It’s been obvious for years now that you two had a thing for one another. Neil kept his distance to be respectful, but man, the sexual tension was always palpable.”
I shake my head in protest, but the actual words refuse to emerge from my throat. “I—”
Jackie laughs. “Yeah, you don’t have to bother saying anything. Neil’s one of a kind, and he’d never do anything to jeopardize one of the patients getting treatment at the rehab, which was probably why he waited this long to make his move on you. What’s it been, like a month now that you two have been seeing one another?”
“Just shy f a month.” It’s November 1st, exactly four weeks since our first date. Neil and I talk almost every day, and save for Tuesday and Thursday nights, we see each other just about every day as well.
“See? I knew it was only a matter of time. Maybe I should’ve moved away sooner, and you two would’ve been together by now.”
“Don’t say that,” I insist. “I like Neil … a lot, but I also would rather you live here again.” I truly miss my friend.
“You’ll get used to not having me around. Besides, I’m only a plane ride away. You better come visit me.”
“I will, as soon as there’s time. Speaking of time, I gotta go.” I glance up at the time display on my microwave. “I have to finish this batch of cookies and then take a shower to get ready for tonight.”
“Have fun.”
“Maybe you should get out of the office and find someone to have fun with.”
She snorts. “Yeah, whatever. I have to go, too.”
“’Kay, bye,” I say as she abruptly hangs up the phone. I stare at it for a few seconds, wondering what Jackie’s issue is. She never delved too much into the details of her family life. Only that she’d moved to Washington after graduating from a boarding school on the East Coast. She attended the same state college Deirdre and I went to but lived with an aunt while her parents remained in Williamsport. Aside from a few visits back home from time to time, she mostly hung out with her aunt or us during the holidays.
Shrugging, I place my phone in my back pocket and busy myself, finishing the cookies.
Once everything is done, and the dishes have been cleaned, I head to my bedroom to undress and ready myself to shower. Neil and I are going to one of my favorite restaurants for dinner. Afterward, we’re going to see a holiday light show. While there’s something about this time of year that always brings out the giddy, kid-like feeling in me, I’m feeling an extra bubbling of emotion this year.
The past three holiday seasons were tempered with a sense of longing and sadness, but this year feels different. More hopeful or something.
I grin as I lather up in the shower, bringing to mind Neil’s words last night before we got off the phone. He wished me a good night’s rest, but I felt the thickness in his voice down to my toes. Of course, my holiday season is feeling full of hope this year. Something like love is in the air.
“Mmm,it always smells so good in here,” I gush as soon as we enter the soul food vegan restaurant.
“Agreed. Jackie had the staff ordering from here two to three times a week,” Neil says before a deep chuckle moves up his throat and out his mouth. His hand squeezes mine.
“I spoke with Jackie earlier today.”
He peers down at me. “How’s she doing?”
“She’s good, I guess. Busy.”
He nods. “That’s expected at a new job … lots of catch-up work to do and training. Reservation for McKenna,” he tells the hostess.
The young woman with one of the best twist outs I’ve seen in a long time runs her finger down the length of the paper in front of her, tapping it twice once she finds Neil’s name.
“Reservation for two. Your table is ready. Follow me, please.” She smiles.
“I love your hair, by the way,” I say, admiring the handful of purple highlighted curls that capture my attention.
Her smile broadens. “Thank you. I’m feeling those laid edges as well.” She winks and nods in the direction of the baby hairs I’d laid down with my gel an hour earlier after getting out of the shower.
Neil’s hand squeezes mine, and I peer up to find him grinning down at me.
“What?” I ask as he holds out my chair for me.
He shrugs and moves around the table, taking his seat. “Compliments roll off your tongue so easily. It’s rare to see that.”
I purse my lips. “It’s not that rare, is it?”
