“No, it's not. Maybe you need to start”—she points to her heart—“here first. Choosing yourself. Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to take back our own autonomy and independence.”
Before I get a chance to comment, her features light up. She shimmies her shoulders with a smile. “I know exactly what you need.”
Our go-to pick-me-up from back in college. I shake my head at her wide grin. “I don’t have time for bagels, bags, and beers. I need to work.”
“What youneedis for us to grab a couple of bagels Saturday morning, shop until we drop, then wash it all down with happy-hour cold beers and good conversation. I want to hear more about this incredible sapphic island and all about the hot sex. I veto your refusal to participate.”
I playfully roll my eyes. “What about all that self-help talk a minute ago?”
“I don’t count.”
We’re sharing a laugh when Jenn knocks on the door. A reminder of my meeting starting in five minutes, which feels significantly less stressful now. Riley rises to her feet, and we exchange cheek kisses, careful of the baby.
Ollie squeezes my finger, and I can’t help my smile. Riley seems like a natural with children; meanwhile, I never gave them a second thought until Caroline shared with me the funniest stories about her goddaughter. Ollie’s green shirt has a happy hedgehog with a gold medal around its neck, the number one on it. My lips widen at memories of the Blakemans, including Quilliam. I have a meeting with them in the near future that’s much more exciting than the one I’m about to attend.
Before Riley leaves, I ask, curious, “Do you think you and Hazel are going to have one?” Nodding at Ollie.
She bursts with laughter, making me do the same for asking such a silly question. “Let’s worry about one Jones at a time. Besides, I don’t want to give your sister a heart attack. I’ll see you at home.”
I wave goodbye and retrieve my meeting notes from my desk. In the hallway, I peer into my lifeless office once more, the emptiness slowly creeping back in, and shut the door.
CHAPTER 28
BASIL
The two hoursuntil my connecting flight to Maryland feel like years. At least the airport isn’t busy so I can hear my thoughts, unlike at Seattle-Tacoma International. I’m staring at my email, sitting in the café closest to my terminal. Traveling alone for work never used to bother me, and certainly not interfere with my productivity. I’d find a cozy spot and hammer out reports while listening to podcasts, but not today.
My gaze points out the window for the third time in ten minutes. The ground is covered in snow, and air traffic control guides their light wands through the dusk sky. Minutes later, the airplane crawls toward the runway. I’ve lost track of how long I’ve been trying to finish this sentence. I tap the delete key until theLet’s catch up soon andis gone, then I fire off the email. After closing my inbox, I click the bookmark displaying a list of available townhouses. The next phase of Basil Version 2.0.
I pause and listen to the airline making an announcement over the speakers. After verifying my terminal isn’t changing, I shove my laptop in my bag before giving into temptation to search Caroline’s name on the web again.
When I lift from my chair to order food, I see someone marching toward me. I do a double take.
Victoria?My jaw tightens in exasperation.
“Don’t tell me you’re following me? I've had enough of that lately” I mutter when she approaches the table. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if she was working for my mother too.
“Hi, Basil.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “Do you have a minute?”
Her judgmental upper lip tells me she doesn’t want to be here right now. The feeling’s mutual. She smells like drama and a pending bad headache.
“Please leave. I don’t have the mental capacity to deal with your misplaced vengeance right now.”
She holds both palms in the air in resignation. “Trust me, I would, but—” She glances over her shoulder, then back at me. “Lauren said she’d divorce me if I didn’t come over and apologize, and I love my wife more than this rivalry between us.”
I huff. “Calling it a rivalry means we’re on the same playing field. We’re not. Life is like a game of chess, and darling, you're still struggling with the instructions.”
That makes her eye twitch. She opens her mouth to say something, then closes it. Instead, she points a finger in the air. “On second thought, I’ll take my chances with divorce papers.” She walks away, fists balled at her sides, then halts and turns. “And you shouldreallyconsider a refund on that personality. It's defective.”
“I—” I stop myself.Be nice, Basil.Great. Now Caroline’s words are circling my mind.
While Victoria storms off, I roll my eyes for allowing irritation to get the best of me.
Fine. Besides, I can’t be involved ineveryfailed relationship. At least Victoria’s attempting to apologize, unlike my mother, who hasn’t spoken to me about anything other than wine since leaving the island.
“Victoria, wait,” I yell out. By the time she returns, I’ve sucked up my pride, and I motion to the seat across from me. According to most people in my life, I’m not good at this part, but I try anyway. “I’m sorry for being a jerk. It’s been a long day…long months.”
“I’m sorry too.” She drops into the seat across from me. “We’re on our way to visit my family, and I’m not looking forward to it.” She rests her purse in her lap and plays with her fingers. There’s an awkward silence. Now what?
