She immediately lights up. “Wow. That’s even better than I expected. Damn, I’m good. It’s about time—that only took, what… five months?”
“I guess stubbornness runs in the family. My brother’s a prime example of that right now.” To my detriment.
At breakfast on our last day in Vegas, he told me he hadn’t made considerable headway, but that he wasn’t giving up and needed more time. He couldn’t say how much more, but I’m under the impression that I’ll be here for even longer than anticipated and that I should just come to terms with the fact that there’s no end date in sight. This is also why mending fences with my parents is probably a good idea.
“Boy is that the truth. I’ve never known a more stubborn group of people. I’m happy to hear you’ve made a step in the right direction.”
“All because of you. They told me you’ve been gushing about how well I’ve done in Jackson’s absence.”
“I may have mentioned it once or twice,” Cindy says nonchalantly with a shrug.
“Or more like every time you talk to them. You’ve been plotting this since the day you returned.”
“You can thank me later. Remember that they only want the best for you. Sometimes parents get so wrapped up in what they think the right path is, they forget there might be more than one.”
Do we all become instantly wise when we have babies?“I’ll try to remember that when they start lecturing me about my career choice.”
“Something tells me they might not do that. Time heals all wounds, right?”
“I won’t hold my breath, but thanks for the vote of confidence. They were a little more receptive, so who knows? Maybe they’ve come around. Either way, I’ll let you know Monday.”
“Good luck, Cici. I hope it goes well.”
“Me too. Thanks, Cindy,” I say, continuing into my office.
I’m hoping it goes smoothly. The last time we had a significant conversation, it ended badly, given we haven’t spoken in over a year. Thank God I met Poppy when I moved to Bozeman and we became fast friends. Her family was my surrogate over the holidays and included me as their own. I’m sure they appreciated the distraction since their son couldn’t come home last year while on duty overseas.
Speaking of—my phone buzzes almost immediately after sitting down with Poppy’s picture lighting up the screen.
She starts talking a mile a minute the instant I answer. “You’ll never guess what they said about you in the morning meeting. After asking for the millionth time when you’re coming back and getting the same answer as always, Jim said, and I quote, ‘It’s going to be dark around here until our favorite ball of sunshine returns,’ and everyone chimed in or nodded in agreement. I’m not the only one who misses you like crazy,” Poppy finishes dramatically.
“Wow, I can’t believe they said that. That’s so sweet. Tell them I miss everyone and that I’m anxious to be back. I’m seriously considering calling it. It’s not like Cindy couldn’t handle things without me or Jackson. But it puts him at ease having me here, so I’m not sure what to do,” I say, honestly torn between returning to Bozeman or staying longer.
“I’d love to decide for you, but I realize you have a lot to consider. I’m excited to hear how this weekend goes with your parents.”
After getting home last night, I texted her about our run-in. “I’mmore positive about it after talking to Cindy this morning. It sounds like she’s gotten through to them more than I realized.”
“I’m glad. It’ll be better to put that to bed before you leave anyway. Speaking of putting things to bed, are you and Eli still going strong?”
“We’re still friends with benefits, if that’s what you mean. Same as before I moved to Bozeman but without having to hide it this time. That’s been nice.”
After we made it home from Vegas, I avoided him for a week until Lily and Sebastian’s wedding, and then there was no getting around the inevitable. Between the rehearsal dinner, walking down the aisle together, and the reception afterward, it was obvious where we were heading. And that we did, straight to his bed the first night, and the second, then the third, and almost every night since. We came to an understanding that we might as well enjoy our chemistry while we could, but with no strings attached. And I’ve had no regrets, nor does my nether region—we’re blissfully content these days.
“I’m sure more things than that have been nice. Is he trying for more or letting it rest for now?” Poppy asks, getting to the heart of the matter.
“It hasn’t come up since we aren’t seeing other people anyway. But it’s not like he doesn’t know I’m leaving.”
“What he knows and wants could be entirely different things.”
“Possibly, but it won’t change the outcome.”
“Well, at least you’re getting all your filthy fantasies fulfilled in the meantime.”
I laugh, agreeing wholeheartedly. “Amen, sister. What about you? Are you excited about your date tonight?” Poppy finally agreed to meet a guy she’s been chatting with through the app she uses, which doesn’t happen very often—as in this is only the third one this year.
“Sort of. I’m more nervous than anything. He could becompletely different in person than by text. I’m not getting my hopes up this time, that’s for sure.”
“You better go into it with a better attitude than that, or itwillend up crappy. You bring about what you think about.”
