“Then let’s get a plan together.”
“I wish I could be more productive and get started on the transmission leak, but it seems the rain is keeping us inside today.”
Thank God for that. We wouldn’t have been able to talk through things otherwise.
“Then you can start working on the inside while I make us some ham sandwiches.”
An easy groove forms between us. Reese measures areas of the living room while I build my famous ham sandwiches, making sure hers is loaded with extra mustard. We sit on the floor, laughing and reminiscing about the past. Her laugh is musical and infectious so that I can’t stop myself from bringing up more topics to hear it again.
She offers to clean up before returning to the remodel, working through lunch and then dinner, all into the evening. Grabbing the piece of paper, she scribbles all her ideas down asshe goes, stopping ever so often to share them. She can barely contain herself, gesturing wildly about ripping out the dinette booth for a foldable table and chairs, something that feels more like home than a restaurant. She holds up a mock diagram of the table.
“Can you help me build that?”
My heart flutters at her request. Finally, she’s asked me for help.
“Of course.”
She points to the couch next. “This we should just trash. The fabric is hideous anyway. I want to change everything to a modern design with cozy accents. Like this recliner should be a loveseat, someplace the two of them could snuggle. Then I can add a wall-mounted TV here by the bunk so Des can still play his video games.”
I nod along.
“Floors need to be ripped up for the luxury vinyl flooring, maybe a dark wood throughout to contrast with the white cabinets and gray walls.”
“Gray walls?”
“Yeah.” She rubs her chin. “We need to do that too.”
“Add it to the shopping list.”
“Oh, speaking of shopping, I got these things in Amarillo. I forgot to show you.”
She pulls out a dark gray cork board with the phrase “Miles of Memories.”
“I thought they could take pictures of their adventures and pin them here. Maybe over the dining table when it’s finished?”
“Sounds perfect.”
“I also got a few candles and these dark gray pillows with campers on them. Better than the cats, right? Though I do love that cat clock.”
My phone buzzes on the counter, Nicole’sname flashing over the screen. The breath in my lungs catches as a wave of tingles courses through me. She couldn’t be calling at a worse time. Reese eyes the phone, her brows low in confusion.
“It’s my agent. She probably has news about the anime call back.”
“What are you doing, then? Pick it up.”
Agh.What if they say no? What if they say yes? I don’t know what answer I want.
“Hello?”
“Tristen, my darling, how are you?”
I analyze each inflection of her words, but it sounds the same as it always does.
“I’m good. Calling to give me an update?”
“About Vivian? You bet I am. Not only did she like that recording you sent, but out of the narrowed list, you’re one of three still in the running.”
“Oh.” I shake my head, clearing the disappointment about the anime series.
